What are the real effects?IntroductionEconomy of ColombiaGeneral contextEconomic sectorEconomic policiesEconomic facetsThe crisisEconomic growthFree trade agreementUnited States - ColombiaNegotiationsImplementationEffectsGross domestic product (GDP)Colombian farmersIllegal drugsLoss of domestic market shareConclusionWorks CitedI. IntroductionColombia is one of Latin America's oldest democracies with strong, functioning institutions, progressive laws, an active civil society, and one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world. Economically, Colombia has made an astonishing turnaround over the past decade thanks to the confidence and business opportunities investors have found in its emerging market. However, the improvements made to the economy are not sufficient to ensure sustainable economic development. On May 15, 2012, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and Colombia entered into force and, after almost two years, its effects have had a negative impact on the Colombian economy, especially in the agricultural sector, which constitutes the '11.5% of the country's GDP. (Columbus Korean Chamber). Farmers complain that cheap imports from the United States are hurting their industry, pushing some of them to the brink of bankruptcy. In August and September 2013, the country went on a nationwide strike against the Free Trade Agreement, which paralyzed several areas of the country, particularly Bogota, the capital. The main purpose of this article is to study and analyze the effects that the United States Free Trade Agreement has influenced the developing economy of Colombia by demonstrating the effects on the Colombian GDP after the agreement, the effects on farmers, on illegal drugs and on the share of the internal market... half of the paper... Bogota : Siglo Veintiuno Editores de Colombia; Fedesarrollo.Banco de la República de Colombia, (2000). Economic sectors. Retrieved from website: http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/economia/econo53.htmColombia. Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Resume del Tratado De Libre Commerce Entre Estados Unidos y Colombia. Network. .Lozano, Ignacio. Characterization of fiscal policy in Colombia. 2009. 4. eBook. .United States. Department of Commerce. US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Network. .Lafourie, J. (2012). Farmers much asustados por TLC con United States. Dinero.com. Retrieved from http://www.dinero.com/negocios/articulo/agricultores-muy-asustados-tlc-estados-unidos/151296