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The United States has recently gone public with the true nature of its involvement in Colombia's four decade long civil war: 'Drug War' military funds have been used to train Colombian army and police to fight its civil war.
Over 200 US troops are stationed in Colombia. The US is training a 950-soldier Colombian battalion while two other similar missions are being prepared. Earlier this year, five US soldiers died while performing joint surveillance with the Colombian military in guerrilla controlled territory.
The War on Drugs is a War on People
Colombia's state human rights record is abyssmal. Until approximately 1994, state military forces were the number one violators of human rights. Under pressure from the US and other international bodies, the Colombian government shifted to supporting "paramilitary" groups with intelligence, equipment and, in some cases, legitimacy. Paramilitary groups are illegal armed vigilante associations; they terrorize Colombia's civilian population.
Much like the 1980s in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua, the main targets in Colombia's civil war are human rights monitors, clergy, lawyers, journalists, labor unionists, peace leaders, humanitarian workers and civilian populations.
Today, more than 70% of human rights violations - murders, kidnappings, disappearances - are carried out with the complicity (paramilitary criminals are almost never prosecuted) and aid Colombian security forces through its support of paramilitary activities.
US military aid and advisors are actively supporting another death squad government.
Colombia was never a war about drugs
It's true, Colombia's civil war is all about the land, who should own it, and what crops should be grown. 3% of Colombians control 70% of arable land. 50% of Colombians live in poverty. Three-fourths of those poor live in rural areas. 60% of working people don't make enough money to satisfy basic needs such as food, medical care and sanitation. As coffee prices fall lower and lower, Coca production is one way farmworkers can make the money to feed their families.
Colombians who speak out against this economic inequality, face a violent government. In the case of the Patriotic Union, a civil branch of the guerrilla Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), 4000 of its elected officials were executed.
The US has involved itself in Colombia's civil war since the 1950s, when communist rebel groups began their armed struggle to transform Colombia.
Guerrillas in Colombia include the FARC, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Popular National Army (EPL). Together they control 40% of the Colombian countryside. That poses a serious threat to US free market plans for Latin America.
The US policy against peace
US military aid is a constant threat to peace in Colombia. Earlier this year, as rebel forces and the Colombian government sat down to negotiate for peace, General McCaffrey was back home sweet-talking Congress out of six hundred million dollars in military aid. When the U.S. spy plane was shot down over guerrilla-controlled land, in violation of peace agreements, the talks ended.
This year, the US will spend over $220 million military 'counternarcotics' aid to Colombia. Less than $10 million will be spent on alternative development, judicial reform law enforcement efforts and human rights programs. One million dollars is allocated for Colombia's one million internal refugees.
Colombia needs an intact, efficient and not corrupt judicial system. Colombia needs a democratic system where elected officials are able to carry out their term. Development programs for agricultural workers would be a more effective tool to aid small coca growers find sustainable production.
The last thing any war-torn country needs is more North American guns. And that's all General McCaffrey has to offer.
Act now to let congress and the administration know that you oppose military aid to Colombia! You can call the congressional switchboard for your senator and representatives phones numbers at 202-224-3121. For current updates on US involvement in Colombia check our website at: http://www.antiwarcommittee.org
Anti-War
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