I was just wondering what the average Colombian thought about the idea of US bases in your country. I know that it has Hugo Chavez rather upset.
Also, did you hear tha the US DEA caught a Syrian with ties to Hezbollah trying to sell weapons to the FARC?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/nyregion/20sting.html?_r=1&ref=americas
Hi Shawn,
Let me tell you that the average Colombian have a very high and positive opinion of the U.S. aid; And because we hate the FARC and we hate Hugo Chavez, We support this agreement.
Nevertheless, the main concern between the educated people in Colombia is that the U.S. military and civilian personnel in Colombia would have immunity and we have had in the past rapists between the American military personnel and others who abuse of this immunity to commit crimes without been punished by the law, (sadly that happens!).
FARC are now trying to realign his military strategy, and they need weapons to beat the airborne advantage of the Colombian Army and Air Force: Hueys and Black Hawks purchase to the U.S, and Tucano airplanes purchased in Brazil,(this ones works with propellers that gives them less speed, and because of this, they can bombing with more accuracy in our jungles the guerrilla camps), talking about low tech war!!.
The FARC use mainly RPG to attack our military Helicopters, but the Colombian Government know they are looking for Stingers and more sophisticated weapons (Mainly Manpads: Man-Portable Air-Defense System in the black market, to beat our planes and Helicopters).
Should not be a surprise that the FARC name would be use to catch this weapons dealers (it has happen in the past).
Be well
Jose Andres
It seems reasonable that most Colombians do appreciate the U.S. aid in fighting the FARC for the anachronism of this guerrilla itself and all the problems of security which comes along, like illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons. Hugo Chavez is another anachronic figure himself, I’d say (we are no more living Cold War). In the last UNASUL summit, wherein the Brazilian president has been present, it became clear that the North-American troops plan in Colombia – subject not in the agenda brought by Chavez – is a Colombia’s sovereign decision only. The Brazilian president suggestion seemed very sensible, though. It was proposed a meeting of South-American Defense and Foreign Ministers to take place by the end of August with the U.S. presence so as to make clear the range and objectives of alien military personnel in Colombia. Such a sensible area asks for some guarantees, for good. Let’s see what will be said in Buenos Aires, Andres! Hope they have a profitable dialogue there. Anyway, less distance and more proximity between South-American nations have always seemed right to me, don’t you think? Union among South-American nations, without guns (or Russian RPGs)! Big hug, Erika
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ResponderEliminaroops, `sensitive areas`, not sensible. God Save My English, ;-/ [], e.
ResponderEliminar(learning how to post these comments..., see, lots of comments at once!)
ResponderEliminarBring U.S army to Colombia territory is an insult to Colombia national sovereignty as well as to the South America regional sovereignty. Furthermore, throughout history, U.S military presence in foreigner territory has proved not efficient to combat paralegal guerrillas and seems to trigger more violence than cease. The problem of drug traffic is consumption and when the A-list U.S citizens stop to pave their nose with cocaine, things would be much easier. Anyway, U.S is turning Colombia in a sort of Israel of South America and as our # 1 enemy Hugo Chavez has already state, “the wind of war star to blow in South America”. Why? Once again because of the stupid white U.S foreign policy.
ResponderEliminarBig hug my friend
Ian Pablo