Washington - Republican presidential nominee John McCain, 71, trumpeted his support for free trade with Latin America Tuesday as he headed to Colombia.

In a campaign ad released on the website YouTube, McCain supported the US free trade agreement with Colombia that is being held up by the Democrat-controlled Congress, saying it would keep more potential immigrants at home.

Spanish subtitles ran with the ad, symbolic of McCain's bid for support among Latino voters building up to the November 4 general elections against his presumptive rival, Democratic Senator Barack Obama.

During the primary season that ended in June, McCain duelled with both Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton over the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) that tore down trade barriers with Canada and Mexico.

Both Clinton and Obama vowed they would take a new look at NAFTA if elected president, but backed down as McCain charged such a move would betray vital alliances.

McCain is to meet with Colombian President Alvero Uribe, and travel on Thursday to Mexico to meet with President Felipe Calderon. He said free trade agreements would create more jobs "on both sides of the border."

"To fuel our economy, we must create more jobs for Americans and for our neighbours to the south. With better jobs, more of them will be able to stay in their country," McCain said.

Both candidates are seeking to establish their foreign policy credentials. Obama is planning trips to Europe, Jordan and Israel in the coming months. (dpa)