Doing Business In Colombia

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

A Report to Congress on United States Policy Towards Colombia and Other Related Issues

Deployment of the Colombian Army’s First Counternarcotics Brigade (made mobile and effective by the simultaneous provision of USG-funded helicopters). This U.S.-trained brigade, arguably the best unit in the Colombian Army, is highly motivated and professional, and has also not been subject to any credible human rights abuse allegations. The brigade has moved aggressively against drug labs and other illegal facilities working in support of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate (DIRAN) of the Colombian National Police, as well as moving independently against narcotics and associated terrorist targets. Delivery has been completed of the 65 helicopters made available to the Colombian Army (54) and Colombian National Police (11) to support Plan Colombia under the 2000 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-246). [Read More]

Press Statement

Under Secretary Grossman: First of all, let me apologize for keeping you waiting. President Uribe had a long agenda; we had a long agenda. We’ve just completed an extremely productive meeting, which as you know better than anybody, has gone an hour over time. I think before I take questions, if you don’t mind I’d just like to read a short statement to you which summarizes where things stand from the perspective of the United States, and I hope that ambassador Moreno would agree, also for the government of Colombia. Let me first start up with two thank-yous. I want to thank the government of Colombia, and the people of Colombia. As on all of my visits here, they have been very gracious and very hospitable and I’m very, very thankful for that.I also want to take the opportunity to pay special tribute to Ambassador Patterson and the men and women of her Embassy, and ... [Read More]

State Department's Air Wing and Plan Colombia
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