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U.S Colombia Pact

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Page last updated at 02:25 GMT, Thursday, 5 November 2009
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New row over Colombia-US accord
President Alvaro Uribe
President Uribe's deal with the US has caused concern in the region

Colombian opposition groups have reacted angrily after details of a controversial military deal with the US were made public.

Under the 10-year deal, the US military will not only have access to military bases, but also be able to use major international civilian airports.

US personnel and defence contractors will also enjoy diplomatic immunity.

President Alvaro Uribe says the agreement will help rid Colombia of drugs gangs and left-wing rebel groups.

But leading opposition senator Gustavo Petro, of the left-wing PDA party, said the deal amounted to a virtual US occupation of Colombia.

The accord was signed last Friday but full details were only made public on Tuesday.

They reveal that the US military will have access to seven Colombian army, navy and air force bases and also be able to use civilian airports under conditions that have still not been made clear.

Colombia's military commander, Gen Freddy Padilla, was quoted by national media as saying that the benefits of the agreement will be felt throughout the country as the US conducts anti-drug and anti-terrorist missions.

The deal has led to a worsening of already strained ties between Colombia and Venezuela.

Venezuela has broken off diplomatic relations with Bogota and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has warned that Colombian military bases could be used by the US to attack his country.

Other countries in the region, including Brazil and Chile, have also expressed concern.

The BBC's Jeremy McDermott, in Colombia, says Colombia is increasingly isolated in the region, but does not seem to care, just so long as it has US support.

By hiker on Nov 5, 2009, 04:24 in Friendly Talkzone.

Juepaje says on Nov 5, 2009, 06:09:

'Colombia's military commander, Gen Freddy Padilla, was quoted by national media as saying that the benefits of the agreement will be felt throughout the country as the US conducts anti-drug and anti-terrorist missions.' The word, 'conducts', bothers me. I am all for helping the Colombians out but with money, intelligence and arms in their war but not with soldiers or CIA contractors. Colombia has a good army and police force and can do there jobs better if properly equipped. How would US citizens feel about having the Mexican Army in Texas, Arizona and California to fight drug lords or illegal immigration? The US can not do it by themselves, obviously, or they would have done so already. It is not in the US's best interest to be killing Colombians in Colombia even if they are criminals. It is not our job. The job belongs to Colombians.

Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

greg says on Nov 5, 2009, 08:01:

I hope i am wrong but i see no good coming out of this.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 5, 2009, 08:02:

the BBC writher is wrong, Peru is wit5h Colombia, Brasil said it`s a internal problem, Ecuador is getting closer to Colombia, Chile is in the same like Brasil, Paraguay and Uruguay doesn`t matter. Panama is with Colombia. That`s when the writers dream a lefty dreams without getting to his goal.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jroger21 says on Nov 5, 2009, 09:09:

good...lets knock out Hugo...big Mr. Potato head looking fool...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

alezzz says on Nov 5, 2009, 09:21:

hahaha !

0 funny, 0 helpful.