Florida Sen. Mel Martinez came through Tampa today with the Colombian ambassador to the U.S., Carolina Barco, promoting the Colombian Free Trade Agreement.

The agreement has become politically controversial even though both sides acknowledge its economic effects would not be large. House Democrats are stalling it, and Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have both said they oppose it.

Martinez and Barco met with Tampa business leaders and port officials at mid-day, then sat for an interview with the Tampa Tribune editorial board.

Martinez said the agreement would substantially benefit Florida, the top trading partner with Colombia among states, and would increase U.S. exports by $1 billion a year. He said it would do little if any harm to any U.S. industry – most Colombian exports already enter the U.S. with no tariffs, while U.S. exports must pay tariffs in Colombia. Those tariffs would be ended.

Martinez said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is violating the “fast-track” Trade Promotion Authority legislation by refusing to have a vote on the treaty. Pelosi has denied that – Congress specifically has authority to delay under the fast-track legislation, Democrats say.

Democrats have said they don’t want to kill the Colombian trade pact, only delay it to pressure the Colombian government to halt the killings of union organizers in the country and pressure President George Bush to take measures to improve the U.S. economy.

Barco said the killings of union organizers have been substantially reduced, though not eliminated, under new government programs to provide them protection and prosecute killers.

She said Colombia has been a strong ally of the U.S. but faces hostility from anti-U.S. neighbors including Venezuela. Because other nations nearby including Chile and Peru have free trade pacts with the U.S., the lack of one in Colombia is a competitive economic disadvantage as the nation works to combat drug cartels and a violent guerilla movement, she said.

“The U.S. has in Colombia one of its best friends, long-term friends,” she said.

The political backdrop appears to make it unlikely the pact will make headway before the November election, however. Democrats in Congress are angry at Bush for sending it to them and seeking a quick vote when they preferred to delay. Republicans in Congress, meanwhile have gone on a public relations offensive in favor of the pact, apparently seeking to make the Democrats appear anti-business.

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