CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) - John McCain has praised Colombia's anti-drug efforts and he'll get a firsthand look at them today.

McCain is on a three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico, where the eradication of illegal drugs tops the agenda.

McCain will tour a Colombian port by boat to get a glimpse of the country's drug interdiction programs.

In addition to praising President Alvaro Uribe (oo-REE'-bay) for Colombia's anti-drug efforts, McCain pressed him to improve the government's record on human rights.

McCain is also promoting free trade deals like NAFTA. He says they'll benefit the U.S. economy over time, even though such agreements have been deeply unpopular in several general election swing states like Ohio and Michigan.

McCain has acknowledged that the economy is a top concern for many voters.


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