South American leaders concerned over US-Colombia military deal

FSRN recently reported on growing concerns in South America in response to US plans to use seven military bases in Colombia. The presidents of nine South American countries convened in Ecuador Monday to discuss the issue, but they were unable to reach a common response.

Monday´s meeting was part of a summit of the Union of South American Countries or UNASUR, an organization that oversees security issues in South America. Venezuela´s President Chavez was one of the most outspoken participants. He said the US military presence in Colombia could be used to launch attacks against Venezuela.

“This can generate a war.  The winds of war are beginning to blow in South America. It would be very painful for us to end up in a war, I would  go to war crying, but I would go because Venezuela has its dignity.”

Venezuela and Bolivia sought a declaration to condemn Colombia for offering use of its bases to the United States.  But other countries refrained from much making such a statement. The South American leaders agreed to discuss this issue at a meeting in Argentina later this month.  Brazilian President Lula da Silva, went one step further.

“We think that at some moment UNASUR should invite the US government to hold a profound discussion about their relation with South America.”

Colombia´s President Uribe did not attend Monday´s meeting because he said it focused solely on Colombia and failed to address broader security issues like drug trafficking and the growing arms trade in South America.  Uribe did send his Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Constanza Gomez defended Colombia´s decision to allow the US military to use bases in Colombia.

“There will not be US military bases in Colombia. We have not asked for them and the US is not planning to build them either. These bases will continue to be Colombian bases under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Colombian state.”

Colombia says US equipment and personnel will be deployed to the bases to help fight drug trafficking.  The US currently uses a military base in Manta, Ecuador for such purposes. But its lease runs out in November and the contract was not renewed by the Ecuadorean government.