The Group of Three (G-3) Agreement was negotiated among Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. Originally formulated within the framework of the Contadora peace process, the decision to negotiate a free trade agreement was announced at the Fifth Ministerial Conference between Central American Countries, members of the European Economic Community and the Contadora group, held in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on 28 February 1999. An Action Plan was issued on 12 March 1989.

At the G-3 Presidential Summit on 17 July 1991 the countries endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the rules for negotiations. The G-3 free trade agreement was signed on 13 June 1994 and was registered with ALADI as Economic Complementation Agreement (ACE) No 33.

In 2004, Panama requested inclusion into the G-3 and in 2006 Venezuela withdrew from the agreement.

Documents relating to the negotiations
13 October 1993	Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Joint communiqué of G-3 presidents
12 February 1993	Caracas, Venezuela. Joint communiqué of G-3 presidents
11 June 1992	Maiquetía, Venezuela. Joint communiqué of G-3 presidents
03 December 1991	Cartagena, Colombia. V meeting of G-3 presidents
23 October 1991	Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel Declaration
2 September 1991	New York,USA. Meeting of G-3 Foreign Ministers
17 July 1991	Guadalajara, Mexico. Joint communiqué of G-3 presidents and Memorandum of understanding setting out the rules for negotiations
22 November 1990	Tlateloco, México. G-3 Foreign MinistersCommuniqué
12 October 1990	Caracas, Venezuela. Presidential meeting G-3
30 September 1990	New York, USA. Declaration of Presidents of the G-3
09 April 1990	Dublin, Ireland. Announcement of intent to create the G-3
29 March 1990	Mexico City, Mexico. Joint declaration by Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela
04-05 December 1989	Buenos Aires, Argentina. Meeting of Foreign Ministers
12 March 1989	Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela. Action Plan: Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela
28 February 1989	San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Joint declaration by Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela
Sources: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia; Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores de México

Documents relating to the accession of Panama
04 November 2004	Panama requests entry into G-3
Source: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia; Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores de México

The Agreements entered into force through the following instruments:

COLOMBIA: Ley N° 172 de 20/12/1994; Decretos N° 2.900 y N° 2.901 de 31/12/1994 (CR/di 385.2)
MEXICO: Decreto de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores de 31/12/94 (CR/di 664)
VENEZUELA: Ley Aprobatoria de 29/12/94 - Gaceta Oficial N° 4.833 Extraordinaria

Venezuela formally presented its intention to withdraw from the agreement through Note No.II.2.UE.E1/Rep of 25/05/2006 (CR/di 2261), that would take effect 180 days from the noticiation to the Members and to the General Secretariat, as established in Article 23-08 of the agreement, which would take place on 19 November 2006.

Documents relating to entry into force
31 May 2006	Venezuela formally announces intent to withdraw from G-3
Source: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Venezuela

A number of additional protocols have been issued as part of the G-3 free trade agreement.

Additional Protocols
08 March 2005	Seventh Additional Protocol
08 March 2005	Sixth Additional Protocol
04 October 2002	Fifth Additional Protocol
04 October 2002	Fourth Additional Protocol
26 June 2002	Third Additional Protocol
31 August 2001	Second Additional Protocol Annex to the Second Additional Protocol
31 August 2001	First Additional Protocol Annex to First Additional Protocol
Source: ALADI Secretariat

In addition, on 07 December 2004, the G-3 countries signed ACE 61, a partial scope agreement aimed at further liberalizing trade in certain industries.

• ALADI Secretariat
• Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia
• Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Venezuela
• Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores de México