MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Majority of Colombians agree with US forces deployed in the country

US support for the so called “Colombia Plan” dates back to Bill Clinton’s administration.

Over half of Colombians support or agree with the presence of US forces in the country’s military bases, as established in a cooperation agreement which has triggered a strong controversy in South America.

According to the Yanhass public opinion poll contracted by the country’s most popular radio station RCN, 55.35% of Colombians support the treaty, 36.29% are in “disagreement” and 8.36% did not reply. The poll was collected in mid August and surveyed 1.000 adults in nine Colombian cities. The margin of error is plus/minus 4 percentage points.

By segments, the youngest group (18 to 24 years old) is the most supportive, (59.5% ) of the presence of US forced in Colombian military bases.

According to the treaty US can display forces in seven bases (from the three services) strategically distributed along Colombia with the purpose of helping gather intelligence to combat drug trafficking and terrorism.

US troops have been deployed in US bases since the Colombia Plan was implemented during President Clinton’s administration.

The Colombian government has been very emphatic about the “convenience” of the treaty which has the only purpose of combating drugs and terrorism inside the country and will not affect neighbouring or third countries and besides the bases remain under Colombian military control.

Bogotá also argues that this not “imply the transit of foreign forces” through Colombia and does not have the purpose of replacing the Ecuadorian Manta base, which this month finalized the anti-narcotics operations that the US deployed for a decade.

The US had to abandon the base because the government of President Rafael Correa refused to extend the cooperation agreement.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez claims the bases with US forces are a threat for his country and “open the doors to those who are constantly attacking us and will help to further prepare more aggressions”.

“This has forced us to review standing relations with Colombia” said Chavez who warned of “winds of war” if the US/Colombia military agreement goes ahead.