The location of the FTA Secretariat was to have been determined in 2005. The contending cities were: Atlanta, Chicago, Galveston, Houston, San Juan, and Miami in the United States; Cancún and Puebla in Mexico; Panama City, Panama; and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. city of Colorado Springs also submitted its candidacy in the early days but subsequently withdrew. Miami, Panama City and Puebla served successively an interim secretariat headquarters during the negotiation process.
the loCatioN of the fta SeCretariat was to HAVE beEn deterMineD in 2005. tHe cOnTeNding CitIeS were: atlaNta, chIcago, gaLVeSton, houstoN, san JUAn, And mIami IN THE uNitEd StAtes; cancún And pUeBla in MexiCo; pAnama citY, Panama; and pOrT of spAIn, triNIDaD And TObAgo. the u.s. City Of ColoRAdo SprinGs also SubmittEd iTs CanDidacy in thE eArlY DayS bUt suBsEQuently wiThDrEw. miaMi, panama ciTY ANd PuebLa serVed SUcceSsiVeLy An interim seCreTaRiAt heaDquartErs During the nEgoTIATION pROCess.