Criticism grows over Colombia's U.S. military plan

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Criticism grows over Colombia's U.S. military plan
By Hugh Bronstein
Reuters
Monday, August 3, 2009; 10:03 AM

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A plan to increase U.S. troops in Colombia is drawing opposition not just from left-wing populist leaders in the region but from the moderate governments of Brazil and Chile as well.

The spreading criticism threatens to isolate Colombia from its neighbors as it combats a cocaine-funded insurgency.

The government is expected to sign an expanded U.S. military pact this month after a final round of talks. Colombia, Washington's main ally in the region, says the plan is aimed at strengthening anti-drug efforts.

But leftist Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez accuses the United States of setting up a military platform in Colombia from which to "attack" its neighbors.

Chavez allies in Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua were quick to blast the plan as well. But Colombia was shocked late last week when Chile, a model of free-market policies, and regional heavyweight Brazil voiced concern about the deal as well.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/03/AR2009080300890.html

[liberalmike27]

1. With U.S. History in South America

Which amounts to us pretty much killing, looting, or training folks to do the work for us, with all our CIA raids, I'm surprised that we've not had more 9/11 type attacks from them.

We've been responsible for so many killings all over the world, and American are completely duped by the media, who only ecourages them to give themselves pats on their backs, and tells them how much good we are doing.

[Flaneur]

2. Good. Shut down those imperial war bases.