Free trade agreements signed by neighboring Andean nations Colombia and Peru with the United States sacrifice high quality jobs in favor of the low income employment generated by primary exports, said a Venezuelan minister on Monday.

Speaking to Venezuela's VTV state television station, Integration Minister Gustavo Marquez said Colombia and Peru had sold out the possibility of commercially productive growth within the Andean region "for a plate of beans."

Venezuela announced last week that it would exit regional body, the Community of Andean Nations (CAN), which includes Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

On Monday, Marquez said Venezuela would set up a joint commission to manage the exit process.

Source: Xinhua