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July 17, 2009

US, Colombia Near Military Base Deal
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The US is nearing an agreement to use three military bases inside
Colombia. The Colombian government says the bases would be used for
joint anti-drug operations. The ten-year deal would also extend the
current arrangement allowing up to 1,400 US troops and military
contractors on Colombian soil. Opposition Colombian senator Gustavo
Petro called the plan a violation of sovereignty.

Gustavo Petro: “This treaty aims to allow United States troops to be in
Colombia. As a sovereign country, we must respect the fact that only
Colombian troops have the right to be in Colombia.”

Colombia is the largest recipient of US military aid in the Americas.



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