Constanza Vieira

BOGOTA – Declassified U.S. documents show that the CIA and former U.S. ambassadors were fully aware, as far back as 1990, that the military in Colombia – the third largest recipient of U.S. aid after Israel and Egypt – were committing extrajudicial killings as part of "death-squad tactics." They also knew that senior Colombian officers … Continue reading “Secret Documents Show US Aware of Colombian Army Killings in 1990s”

BOGOTÁ – U.S. President George W. Bush’s visit to Colombia was accompanied by signals that Washington may step up its efforts to secure the release of three U.S. intelligence operatives who have been held hostage by the main guerrilla group, the FARC, since early 2003. Bush said he had spoken with Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, … Continue reading “Military Rescue of Hostages in Colombia on Bush’s Agenda?”

BOGOTÁ – Just a few days into Colombian President Álvaro Uribe’s second term in office, the close U.S. supervision of his government’s negotiations for the demobilization of the ultra-rightwing paramilitary militias became evident. Fourteen of the heads of the paramilitary umbrella, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), were arrested this week, nine of whom … Continue reading “US Supervision of Colombian Paramilitary Demobilization Becomes Evident”

BOGOTA – Three decades after Washington declared Colombia the world’s leading producer of cocaine, experts consider U.S.-financed efforts to eradicate illegal drug crops a failure. Although Washington has poured more than 40 billion dollars into anti-drug efforts in Colombia over the past 25 years, this country remains the world champion of cocaine and a major … Continue reading “Three Decades of a Failed Policy”

BOGOTA – Many Colombians have expressed deep concern over U.S. President George W. Bush’s reelection, while others share the enthusiasm of right-wing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Washington’s closest ally in Latin America. "I want to congratulate President Bush on his victory, Senator [John] Kerry for this beautiful campaign, both of them for this example of … Continue reading “Colombia: Bush’s Triumph Gladdens Uribe, Scares Others”

BOGOTA – The Intercongregational Justice and Peace Commission in Colombia was recently told "watch what you write," in a message threatening that "something terrible" could happen. The anonymous message threatened a "major attack" that would destroy the group’s network, which produces news bulletins on human rights abuses. "So many denunciations can be harmful," said the … Continue reading “Colombian Church Group Threatened Over Rights Work”

BOGOTA – Local secretariats of finance, roads and health – "that’s where the money is, that’s where the show is run," a member of a paramilitary militia in Colombia can be heard saying in the taped telephone conversation. The wiretapped conversation took place a few days after the October 2003 local and regional elections, and … Continue reading “Colombian Paramilitaries Extend Their Tentacles”

BOGOTA – The Colombian government hopes to demobilize 14,000 right-wing paramilitary fighters by late 2005 – 95 percent of the combatants that the paramilitary leaders sitting down at the negotiating table in a remote village in northwestern Colombia claim to represent. The government of hard-right President Alvaro Uribe set up a 368-sq-km safe haven for … Continue reading “Colombia’s Paramilitaries to Disarm?”

BOGOTA – Shrouded in silence in Colombia, the Plan Patriot has begun to emerge as the most ambitious military offensive to date against the leftist guerrillas, in which the U.S. military is providing tactical and logistical support. Taking part in the operation, which according to press reports involves 17,000 soldiers deployed in southern Colombia, are … Continue reading “US Increases Colombian Involvement”