San Andres Colombia
Colombia
Guerrillas forcibly displaced peasants to clear key drug and weapons transit routes and remove potential government or paramilitary collaborators from strategic zones. Guerrillas also imposed de facto blockades of communities in regions where they had significant influence. For example, the FARC blockaded the towns of San Carlos and San Luis in Eastern Antioquia, and, on July 10, killed seven displaced residents of San Carlos who returned to the city without the FARC's authorization. ... [Read More]
Colombia
Members of the San Jose de Apartado "peace community" in Uraba region, Antioquia department, as well as NGO's, accused the 17th Brigade of involvement in 2 paramilitary massacres in February and July in which 11 persons were killed. On February 19, unidentified perpetrators widely believed to be members of the ACCU paramilitary group attacked San Jose de Apartado. They selectively killed five persons, and wounded three others. There were reports that the men wore the insignia of the 17th Brigade on their uniforms and that army troops were seen on the outskirts of the city several hours before the massacre. On July 8, approximately 20 paramilitary assailants murdered 6 peasants in La Union, part of San Jose de Apartado. The attackers reportedly gave the citizens 20 days to leave the town. NGO's alleged that the 17th Brigade was complicit in both attacks and that army members were near La Union prior to the July 8 attack. There were allegations that a military helicopter hovered over La ... [Read More]
Colombia (02/05)
The new Republic of Greater Colombia included all the territory of the former Viceroyalty. Simon Bolivar was elected its first president with Francisco de Paula Santander as vice president. Conflicts between the followers of Bolivar and Santander led to the formation of two political parties that have since dominated Colombian politics. Bolivar's supporters, who later formed the nucleus of the Conservative Party, sought strong centralized government, alliance with the Roman Catholic Church, and a limited franchise. Santander's followers, forerunners of the Liberals, wanted a decentralized government, state rather than church control over education and other civil matters, and a broadened suffrage. ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Colombia and the Andean Region
Colombian President Andres Pastrana took the initiative in 1999 with the launch of the five-year, $7.5 billion Plan Colombia. This plan recognized that Colombias narcotics, political, terrorist and economic problems are interrelated, creating a vicious downward cycle. To break these links, it called for substantial social investment; judicial, political and economic reforms; modernization of the Colombian Armed Forces, and renewed efforts to combat narcotrafficking. The United States shared Plan Colombias vision of a peaceful, thriving, democratic Colombia free from the scourges of narcotics and terrorism; our support has been a key component of the plan. ... [Read More]
Colombia
Prosecutors also continue to investigate two paramilitary massacres in February 2000 in San Jose de Apartado and in July 2000 in neighboring La Union, in which 11 persons were killed. Members of the San Jose de Apartado peace community, as well as NGO's, accused the 17th Brigade of complicity in the attacks. On February 19, 2000, unidentified presumed ACCU paramilitaries killed five persons in San Jose de Apartado, and wounded three others; there were reports that the men wore the insignia of the 17th Brigade on their uniforms. On July 8, 2000, approximately 20 paramilitary assailants murdered 6 peasants in La Union, part of San Jose de Apartado. The attackers reportedly gave the citizens 20 days to leave the town. NGO's alleged that the 17th Brigade was complicit in both attacks, that army members were near La Union prior to the July 8 attack, and that a military helicopter hovered over La Union during the massacre. Government investigators continued to investigate complaints of milit ... [Read More]
Colombia
Prosecutors continued to investigate an April 2000 paramilitary massacre of 21 men at Tibu, Norte de Santander department.The Fiscalia continued to investigate a series of attacks in November 2000 in which paramilitaries killed 27 fishermen in the La Cienaga de Santa Marta area, Magdalena department. The Fiscalia continued to investigate two different massacres near Trujillo, Valle del Cauca department, in 1989-90 and 1994. The authorities held one accused paramilitary in custody and had outstanding arrest warrants for three others. One paramilitary suspect was killed while in custody. The Fiscalia reopened an investigation into the 1990 killing of presidential candidate and former M-19 guerrilla Carlos Pizarro after AUC leader Carlos Castano confessed to the killing in memoirs published in 2001. In June prosecutors requested that Castano be tried in absentia and sentenced to 60 ye ... [Read More]
E) South America
The COLNAV and COLMAR continue to expand and improve their capabilities. COLNAV is reorganizing its marine forces including forming a new Riverine Battalion on the Pacific Coast, establishing a naval base at San Andres, revamping the Marine Special Forces Battalion and beginning the Naval Urban Special Forces (AFEAUR). Under the Executive Order for Internal Commotion (declaring the equivalent of a state of emergency), COLNAV assumed responsibility for the Special Rehabilitation zone in Magdalena, Sucre and Cordoba Departments. COLNAV purchased two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, approved the transfer/repair of the ex-USCG Durable to Colombia, delivered six Armored Troop Carriers (MATC), and converted a barge into an armored Riverine support ship. COLNAV made significant revisions to standing Interdiction Operations Plans, held regular lessons-learned conferences, and convened the second Operational Naval Committee meeting to further improve internal cooperation. COLNAV is continui ... [Read More]
Visits to the U.S. by Foreign Heads of State and Government--1990
President Joaquim Chissano ... President Carlos Andres Perez ... Private visit. Had met with Soviet President Gorbachev in San Francisco, June 4. ... [Read More]
Living Memories: The Human Toll of Terrorism
"Thếlà nó bắt đầu khóc và bệnh trở nên trầm trọng hơn", bà nói. "Cháukhông thể đi từ trường về nhà. Cháu quá mệt mỏi và trở nên xanh xao". Giờđây kỷ vật duy nhất về bố là những bức ảnh đã rách treo trên tường và hai láthư của ông Perez. Trong lá thư đề ngày 5/3/2000, những ngày trước khi ông bịbắt làm tù nhân, ông nói với Andres Felipe rằng "bố xin lỗi vì không thể ởbên con lâu hơn" vì nó rất nguy hiểm khi ở trong khu vực có nhiều quânphiến loạn. Ông nói với con trai mình rằng phải ăn nhiều rau và hoa quả và cảnhbáo cậu không được nói chuyện với người lạ. ... [Read More]
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