Colombia ? Colombia’s congress on Thursday approved a free trade deal with the United States, leaving the pact’s fate in the hands of U.S. congressional Democrats who are increasingly scrutinizing the government’s human rights record.

In a 55-3 vote, the majority pro-government Senate approved the trade deal, which would eliminate most tariffs and duties on some $14 billion in annual trade in goods and services between the two countries. Another 44 mostly opposition lawmakers either abstained or protested the deal by refusing to be present for the vote.

Trade Minister Luis Guillermo Plata said congressional approval would facilitate the extension of unilateral trade privileges expiring this month and that have allowed flowers, coffee and other Colombian exports to enter the United States duty-free for the past decade.