Colombia
Santos hopes that the new “Plan Colombia”
Colombia’s President visited Washington. Juan Manuel Santos is about a reorientation of relations with the United States. And to support for the time after the civil war. Of Of Tobias Buyer, Bogotá.
No other strategic Pact in Latin America in recent years, more debates and emotions triggered such as the “Plan Colombia”. For a good 15 years ago, the then-Colombian President Andrés Pastrana and his US counterpart Bill Clinton’s signature on the agreement set. On paper at least, promised to the “Plan Colombia,” a successful fight against drug trafficking and the FARC guerrillas in the South American country.
President Pastrana and Clinton in Washington (2000): billions of dollars in Colombia’s household flushed
With the success of the “Plan Colombia”, opinions differ widely. The Plan authorized the army, also police activities exercise. Many billions of dollars have been authorized by the USA in the Colombian household flushed. Critics complain that this would have resulted in even more bloodshed and human rights Violations in Colombia. Proponents believe, however, the “Plan Colombia” have the leftist FARC guerrillas to the negotiating table forced.
At the beginning of a new era
At least the governments in Bogotá and Washington have a clear opinion: they celebrate at the 4. February the 15. Anniversary of the signing with a small ceremony. Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos is in the United States, where he on Thursday by US President Barack Obama is received.
FARC chief Jiménez: “politics without weapons”
In fact, Colombia on the threshold of a new, peaceful era. For more than three years to negotiate in the Cuban capital, Havana, the delegations of the Santos government and the FARC guerrilla about an end to the armed conflict. Both sides have so far approximated that there are probably still at 23. March to the signing of a peace agreement and then to the disarmament of the FARC to come. Rebels boss Timoleón Jiménez, alias “Timochenko,” said on the weekend, the news magazine “Semana”: “We want to be in future politics only without the weapons.”
Realignment is urgently needed
It means, however, that this is still ongoing, especially on military assistance oriented security concept “Plan Colombia” in dire need of a realignment of demand away from the fight against drugs and Guerillakriegs towards the active support of the peace process. But that costs money: victims must be compensated for, lands will be returned. In addition, around 8000 future Ex-rebels with a professional perspective, when the weapons are actually from the Hand.
Colombian army in Anti-guerrilla struggle (2013): army, police tasks
Germany supports Colombia already with a loan in the amount of approximately 300 million US dollars. Colombia’s President Santos hopes his colleagues in the USA, Barack Obama also made a clear commitment to the peace process, and that concrete financial Commitments for the Nachbürgerkriegszeit. “It now begins another Phase without the issues of neglect, the us traditionally have United”, said Santos before his departure to the United States. Colombia is for the US, so something like a last reliable Partner in Latin America – a continent on its left, the government in Washington today, there is no conclusive answer was found.
Santos needs backing
Juan Manuel Santos will travel however, domestically, struck in the United States. Not all Colombians are excited about the advanced negotiations with the FARC. You want the elite in the guerrilla for years in prison see, instead of in Parliament. It is even more important for the Colombian President’s backing from Washington: “President Obama and I will be to him to congratulate him that he has is his Land as close as never before to the end of the war,” announced Secretary of state John Kerry ever been to. Santos will be happy to hear them.