For Immediate Release:
 January 28, 2008

Media Contact:
Hernando Vergara
Vergara@miamidade.gov
 305-375-2601



Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro, Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Rebeca Sosa, and Florida State Representative Juan Carlos Zapata support Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (BCC), Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro, Commissioners Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Rebeca Sosa, and Florida State Representative Juan C. Zapata offered their support to Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón in his efforts to obtain the approval of the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Colombia. 

The validation of the commitment from the local elected officials to the Vice President of Colombia took place during a meeting on January 28, 2008.  After the meeting the Vice President answered media questions during a press conference.

"Colombia and Miami-Dade County are intrinsically linked," said County Commission Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro.  "We share economic and democratic ideals.  Colombia is Miami International Airport's number one trade partner and is the fourth commercial partner with the Port of Miami," added Chairman Barreiro.  

During the meeting, Chairman Barreiro presented Vice President Francisco Santos the Key to the County and a Distinguished Visitor certificate.

On October 2, 2007, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution (R-1113-07) urging the U.S. Congress to schedule hearings and approve a U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 
Colombia ranked 4th with nearly $4.4 Billion in trade with South Florida in 2006.  Almost $2 billion-worth of exports left South Florida to Colombia via Miami International Airport with an additional $396.8 million from the Port of Miami in 2006.

Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro presents a copy of the County's resolution to Colombia's Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón urging the U.S. Congress to approve a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia.

Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro presents a copy of the County's resolution to  Colombia's Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón urging the U.S. Congress to approve a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia.

Colombia's Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon receives the Key-to-County from Miami-Dade Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro.

Colombia's Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon receives the Key-to-County from Miami-Dade Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro.
 

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRUNO A. BARREIRO DISTRICT 5
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 220 Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 643-8525