Ag Weekly Online: Twin Falls, Idaho

WASHINGTON (AP) 3/04/08 — President Bush criticized “provocative maneuvers” toward Colombia by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, saying Tuesday that the United States stands with its ally, Colombia President Alvaro Uribe.

“America fully supports Colombia’s democracy,” Bush said. “We firmly oppose any acts of aggression that could destabilize the region.”

Bush said he personally delivered this message to Uribe during a phone call earlier Tuesday. Colombia has received some $5 billion in U.S. aid to counter the drug trade and battle leftist guerrillas since 2000, and Uribe is considered a right-leaning ally of Bush’s in a region dominated by leftist politics.

Relations have hit a new low between Uribe on one side and Chavez and Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa on the other. Bush, making a rare and hastily scheduled personal appearance to describe a private conversation with a foreign leader, added himself to Uribe’s side.

The raised tensions were triggered by a weekend raid by Colombian troops into Ecuador that killed a top commander of the FARC, Colombia’s main rebel group, which had set up a camp there. Since then, Colombia and Ecuador have traded accusations and Chavez, sympathizing with the leftist rebels, ordered thousands of troops to move toward Venezuela’s border with Colombia.

“America will continue to stand with Colombia as it confronts violence and terror and fights drug traffickers,” Bush said.

Colombian military officials have said that U.S. satellite intelligence and communications intercepts have been key to putting the FARC on the defensive.

Bush said one of the chief ways that Washington can help Uribe is for Congress to approve a free-trade deal with Colombia. Though signed by the two countries in 2006, Capitol Hill’s Democratic leaders have refused to pass the agreement, citing human rights violations in Colombia and its standing as the deadliest country in the world for organized labor.

Supporters have argued that the pact would level the playing field for U.S. products by requiring Colombia to lower or eliminate tariffs on them when many Colombian products already get such preferences in the American market.

Bush has sought to add new urgency to the debate by proclaiming the issue also a matter of national security — and he used the crisis in South America as an opportunity to do so again.

“If we fail to approve this agreement, we will let down our close ally, we will damage our credibility in the region, and we will embolden the demagogues in our hemisphere,” he said. “(Uribe) told me that the people across the region are watching to see what the United States will do. So Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to come together and approve this agreement.”

Comments »

vu wrote on Mar 30, 2008 12:36 AM:

" help "

outsidetheherd wrote on Mar 28, 2008 2:25 PM:

" It is a fact bush is an idiot a war monger a war criminal even but he is on the way out so is the republican party at least for the next 4 years so stop focusing on that idiot and put your minds to better use.
The problems lies in the peoples acceptance of mediocrity in all aspects of there lives.
Until people are ready to open there eyes and give up some of their comforts and totally revamp the way our leaders act. Stop allowing them to rule without accountability until the people take back what is theres then they are getting what they deserve corrupt cancerous government feeding off the weak and impoverished.
"

mbs wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:56 PM:

" if anyone believes what bush says about needing to sign this free trade pact to ensure world peace, please open your eyes a little! can't everyone just see that bush's globalized money hungry friends want to reap profits from latin american markets? there's nothing that will help latin america in the pact, and nothing that will help or hinder world peace in the process. "

solo1 wrote on Mar 24, 2008 6:21 AM:

" I hate people calling Colombian people stupid specially... if you do not know
the history or socio-political background of Colombia or other Latino- American Countries and their relationship with the "big brother" The USA. The issue here is the American policy toward Latin-America: These as always are being a"TRAVESTY" means goes in forward or reverse according to convenience: remember "the means satisfy the ends". Don't you remember pinochet??? or Somoza and others or maybe the same "pineapple phase" of "care-pina" Noriega in Panama who was applauded by the CIA for his good job helping Reagan to help the freedom fighters???? Come on you people what's happen with you people?????or you either do no read history or just have a lack of memory o either you are very happy by having Bush "arbusto" as president or you are so populist that you do not want to see were his ways of war for solving the problem is taken our economy???? Whatever is happen with Colombia or Venezuela is not more than a fucken distraction for you no to see the real picture???? This country is being controlled by a corporate body in the US Senate where the exchange of money and favors is rampand and dominant. They are doing the best to perpetuate corruption and corporate power. And what the devils are you doing about it???? Can you see??they themselves are un trouble with the law for promoting promiscuity with prostitutes and doing homosexual acts in public places???? Again don't you have a problem with that???? So Please do not tell me that Colombia is the most corrupted country in the world. Still I love the people of the US.I am a proud US Air Force War veteran and I am also a proud Colombian. I have 2 college degrees and resent a great deal those who are calling me;stupid for being a Colombian. Calling other people stupid is not more than lack of knowledge or vocabulary. "

mauro wrote on Mar 22, 2008 10:49 AM:

" Jajaja. It is fun, there are many people out there, like some that I have seen here writing, they talk about war, because they like it, they want to mantain this struggle, but we know that we are anemies, and even the country is not full with saints, it has to be clear with the people and has to make their laws and their institutions, off course we have enemies like you aout there but even poor people today is knowing the truth of all this lefties, they want to control everybody. So keep walking! "

geri Barry wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:58 AM:

" The boys that run South American Nations are just a bunch of pawns. The terrorist Bush is playing the game. He can use any of them for Americas benefit. Soon they all will be in Bush's hands and they will dance when Bush wants them to dance. America wants to control the world. Unless you keep counting your dollars the only winner is the terrorist Bush. "

colOmbia wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:49 PM:

" If you can even get the name right. Please keep your ignorant words to your self. It is spell COL_O_MBIA two "O
' and NOT "U" columbia!!!!! IT is COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA COLOMBIA

AND YES BUSH WANT WAR IN VENZUELA. THEN WITH THE EXCUSE OF TERRORISIM TAKE COLOMBIA AS A BASE TO CONTROL SOUTH AMERICA AND YES IS GOING TO BE SOME SORT OF ATTACK AGAINS US TO EXCUSE THIS WAR IS HOW US STARTS ALL HIS WARS. CAN YOU GUESS WHY ?? IF YOU CAN NOT ASNWER THIS. YOU ONLY GOT ALL YOUR INFO FROM THE BIGGEST LIEAR OF ALL ( US MEDIA )
"

Bill from Detroit wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:41 AM:

" Someone should tell the good people of Colombia not to just sit there waiting to see what we will do and get off their asses and take care of their own damn problems first. And just how does sending whats left of our manufacturing jobs to yet another country going to help with the shrinking job force available for Americans? "

Joaquin Duran wrote on Mar 16, 2008 11:09 PM:

" Although I am a proud Colombian, I do not stand with Uribe or the present Colombian government. The FARC and its roots go back to the late 1940's when the right wing forces began their systematic and sanguine slaughter of the peasant population and of Colombian progressives. These same right wing forces continue today as the Paras (perros is more like it, and that;s being unfair to dogs), who continue their bloodletting at the service of Colombia's oligarchs, Uribe's and lamentably the Liberals' crowd as well.
The FARC and the other revolutionary armed formations TRIED going the democratic and constitutional route in 1985 by way of the (ironically-called) Uribe accords and forming the Union Patriotica. But lamentably, 3,000 or more UP political figures, including presidential candidates, mayors, and other politicians and activists, etc were gunned down, massacred, or otherwise violently repressed by hit men and death squads, incahoots with Colombia's so-called "democratic" government, eventually wiping out the UP. It is no surprise, and I fully agree, that in the face of this, the FARC, ELN and other revolutionary forces were left with no choice but resume and continue armed struggle.
That Chavez is in power in Venezuela, and supports Colombia's revolutionary forces, and that the same is also true of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and Correa in Ecuador provide hope to shift Latin America's long struggle towards social and economic justice to more peaceful paths. So as a Colombian proud to be a Colombian, I nevertheless say Viva Chavez, Viva Venezuela! And Viva all other progressive forces throughout America, including the US and Canada, and down with the so-called free trade agreement! Additionally, ditto on Mr. Jarvis Smith's March 6 comments. Finally, it is doubtful that Colombia's present government could stand very long without US support, a clear sign of which forces in Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America are on the right side of History. "

Kenneth T. Tellis wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:22 PM:

" Colombia is a country rum by a drug deal named Alvaro Uribe Velez a good friend of the biggest dreg dealer in the world, George W. Bush so why should we worry? After all they are as thick as thieves, and its a business deal. George W. Bush needs for his retirement next year so please do not fault him, because his reasons are valid. "

Gladys E Groff wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:18 PM:

" Im very HAPPY for our President URIBE and for my another country USA,we are very happy,becuse we are DEMOCRACY,we know some people say no,this peple maybe they are Socialista,poor peolpe they don't know anything about this,we live here becuse we love UNITED STATE so so much,I LOVE COLOMBIA, I LOVE USA.please don't TALK about MY TWO BEATIBUL COUNTRIES,that people are Chavez (DIABLO). "

amalia wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:36 PM:

" those people who are critizing Colombia and USA...if you hate so much these countries then why is the people from countries trying to get to United States? Because, they know, there is no other place like United States for opportunities in work and good living. Colombia is a good and beautiful country, unfortunately, the drugs and the farc are destroying Colombia. Ecuador used to be a sister country to Colombia and since Chavez stuck his nose and big mouth in the most recent issue in Ecuador, Ecuador is becoming a leftistand marcist...Brazil stay out... "

jarvis smith wrote on Mar 12, 2008 1:43 PM:

" to D. GARCIA NOBODY IS CLEAN IS THIS MATTER. WHETHER I KNOW HOW TO SPELL COLOMBIA OR NOT IS NOT THE ISSUE. I KNOW PRES. BUSH IS NO ANGEL AND HAS CAUSED HARM ALL OVER THE WORLD ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS WELL AS HERE IN AMERICA . AND EVERY COUNTRY HAS THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES BUT HOW THEY GO ABOUT IS ONE THING. AND ONE MORE THING IF THE USA & COLOMBIA WANT TO STOP THE DRUG TRADE FOR GOOD THEY CAN . I KNOW THEY ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT COLOMBIA "

jarvis smith wrote on Mar 12, 2008 1:19 PM:

" i should have said more. AS A US CITIZEN I KNOW MY COUNTRY HAS A HAND IN WHAT IS GOING ON. PRES. CHAVEZ IS NO ANGEL AND NEITHER IS PRES. URIBE. CORRUPTION, TERRORISM IS EVERYWHERE AND SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED. FARC WAS USED TO TAKE DOWN PABLO ESCOBAR. NOW THEY ARE THE PROBLEM. "

Globerover wrote on Mar 12, 2008 1:00 AM:

" I was born in Colombia, half of my current life I've lived in Colombia, the other half in North America.(60 y.o.)Educated in Public College U.of A.(UdeA)

I can say I've been in both sides: part proletariat, part 'oligarch'. There is not perfect system, maybe democracy is at many times hypocritical and erratic, yet it's a better choice than violence or totalitarian regimes. If totalitarism were so good, Communist Russia had not been succumbed, if free Enterprise were so bad, it would not be flourishing in China, if totalitarian regimes were so good, people would've stopped fleeting Cuba, yet there is some people living the island after almost 50 years of -people equanimity'.

Our best current example is India, country with one of the biggest contrasts between richness and poverty; currently thriving as a powerful world economy.
They had a courage to believe that life can be changed towards better things without involving violence in the process; no matter how poor or destituted they felt at any particular time of their past. They have the guts to raise above ther poverties and limitations without partidism, differences in even their internal languages and diverse traditions.

Chavez is just an opportunist, he's the one trying to divide South America, with his already stale and many times re-heated techniques of Fidel,'a wolf in sheep's disguise'. Making the world believe he's 'magnanimousâ€™ and great stadist by doing a 'charade' of releasing some hostages, kidnapped by his new owned army THE FARC'S. Chavez thinks that ridiculing Bush is 'stroke of a genius' even the same US media, does that, so? The fact that Uribe is gaining some respect for Colombia and all its citizens by trying hard to eradicate guerrilla and drug lords alike; makes people believe he is an 'ally' of USA, may seem so, this is just trying to see the 'ugly legs of the beatiful singing bird' as one of my school teachers used to tell us.
Let's work pray and sing together the goodness of this world and strive for 'peace and justice' for all.
Y el bien germinara alla, en nuestra Querida Colombia
"

Colombian wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:45 PM:

" For all those who critize Colombia, PLEASE, you should learn more about my country. First of all, calling Colombian "ignorants" is the most stupid and IGNORANT accusatio I've heard (that's for you Maria). Why do you even comment when you have no idea what you're talking about. Read, watch, and learn. Yes, it's true, Colombia is not a safe country, but it's not the only one in the world with said problem. Mexico is one of the countries with the highest rate of kidnapping ???? Now, speaking of Venezuela and Ecuador (including Peru) are ruled by leftist politicians who claim to be on the good side but are NOT. I cannot say all politicians in Colombia are good, but I can say that we haven't had a president who confronted the FARC as Uribe has. Why did Chavez get so hurt after the attack to FARC? Why did he get involve in an issue that was just between Colombia and Venezuela? Too many questions and no real good answer. It's just so suspicious the deal and agreement reached by Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Yes, there will no war, but what happen to the accusations made by Uribe with respect to the money/dealings between Chavez/Correa and FARC? Although I love my country, there are so many questions unanswered. For what I can remember, it's always been like that. Why don't we all try to unite and leave a peaceful life enjoying the best we have and trying to make it better. Why do we have to offend others by calling them names and making harmful comments. BE POSITIVE!!! "

karen Jacob wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:26 PM:

" It is so obvious to see what is happening. Bushite wars all over the planet. Only a dumb --- cannot see that Bush is praying for another war in Latin America, as in the rest of the world.

Kosovo, Afganistan, Lebanon, Iraque, Palestine, and now Latin America....lovely administration in the USA. And we Americans should stop telling Imigrants to get the hell out...we are all over the globe....when we leave their nations, they should leave ours....quid pro quo. "

MARIA COSTA wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:21 PM:

" Uribe is a criminal. As a brasilian we want no part of the Colombian corruption. It has always licked the butt of the US for cash. Anyone backed by Bush is a warmonger and criminal. Colombians are ignorant and easily swayed, their legacy is corruption and few are the ones who scape that rule.
Brasil stands with Chavez and Ecuador, as the rest of Latin America.

The gringos want to divide an conquer, as the old English tactic of their Imperialism. Unfortunately Colombians are ignorant people who tend to be fascist, and Uribe is the total dictator backed up by another corrupt dictator in the Usa...Shame on Colombians..... "

walter wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:25 AM:

" I am completely amaze on how many non informed people wish to make there opinions heard. How can any one say that democracy is a bad thing. Let us not forget that we once were dominated by the English. If not for france we would be part of england. As a Colombian American who has proudly served in the U.S Army(101st airborne div.) i feel that i truly am allowed. to voice my opinion cause not only are they back by fact but by mu actions aswell. So for all those that wish to "inform" the people of what the "facts" are then maybe they should be coutages enough to back there mouths with there action. With that said, i encourage all my brothers and sister Colombian and American that if you strongly believe in what you say. Don't just sit here and write get out and do something. The colombian people have! after all they chose democracy! "

Luz A. Contreras wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:57 AM:

" Never in the history of COLOMBIA has ever been a PRESIDENT with the trouser on, as ALVARO URIBE. Never in the histroy of COLOMBIA, has ever been a PRESIDENT, that proves that HE IS THE BOSS, as ALVARO URIBE. Never the citizens of COLOMBIA have been happier with their "PRESIDENT" as they are now.VENEZUELA AND ECUADOR, are free to adopt LAS FARC, LOS PARAMILITARES, Y TODO GRUPO CRIMINAL QUE ESTA ESTORBANDO EN EL PAIS.If these Countries think that these criminals deserve their favours, GO AHEAD, REHAUSE ALL OF THEM IN YOUR COUNTRIES AND FREE AUR BELOVED COLOMBIA FROM THIS PEST. "

Gringo wrote on Mar 9, 2008 5:51 PM:

" Why is it when another country takes actions to protect itself we tend to be so critical of it's actions??? What does the US do when they feel there is an imminent threat? HUH? They take action. Look at what we did to Kadafi in Libya, in Grenda, and Panama. Pres. Uribe had every right to protect his citizens!

Please read up a little on Colombian history BEFORE you critique President Uribe's efforts. If you only knew the pretense of horror the Colombian people have endured through the 70's, 80's and especially 90's before Uribe's impact you would be thinking differently. It is obvious you haven't spent any time in rural or even urban Colombia and talked with the people. These same people are the ones who marched by the millions very recently in OPPOSITION to these terrorists. (Since you haven't figured it out that is the FARC).
Regardless, Uribe is focusing on his biggest problem to national security and that my friend is the FARC! Congress and the news media keep squawking about the paramilitaries and other groups. It's not that Uribe won't work on them, its that he must focus the bulk of his effort against the biggest threat first. Again the FARC. "

Sunshine wrote on Mar 9, 2008 12:43 PM:

" Or maybe pres Bush just want to start another war to futher bankrupt his people and push toward the North American patriot Union which would eliminate the American Constitution and enslave us all? "

Kenneth V. Tellis wrote on Mar 9, 2008 5:17 AM:

" Like it or not the Colombian government of Alvaro Uribe Velez is run by drug money and it is a U.S. puppet state in Latin America. Only the Mad Hatter in the White House could have advised Colombia to violate international law and send forces with U.S. Special Forces into Ecuador. But the support of U.S. President George W. Bush should surprise no one. Because he has advanced from his lies of WMD's in Iraq to every other violation of the U.N. Charter, the Vienna Convention and the Geneva Conventions, wheat is left for him to abrogate? "

Laurie wrote on Mar 8, 2008 10:42 PM:

" So - this was a stunt by the U.S. to pressure Congress to pass the trade agreement it wants with Columbia and that Columbia's Uribe believes will benefit him - if not the country!

At a time when South America is moving towards its own fair trade agreements, taking back it's natural resources in fair negotiations, and working at supporting its own people - Columbia is commiting war crimes by crossing borders to assassinate insurgents whom they know are negotiating the release of hostages with - not only Ecuador - not only Venezuela - but also France, Switzerland and Spain. The U.S. and Columbia have used information for these negotiations to attack the oldest political opposition in Columbia, endangering the lives of hundreds of hostages.

George Bush supports the narco government and paramilitary groups of Columbia with millions of dollars every year.

I suppose the forces for democracy will re-assess their strategies. "

jaime lust wrote on Mar 8, 2008 10:47 AM:

" I am happy to say that President Uribe is one of the best presidents that colombians have seen during the existence of this republican democracy. The military action in Ecuador should not be consedered as a mistake, but a necesary step to control and destroy the criminal organization named FARC, a terrorist group with ties to ETA, OLP, and other terrorist groups, also with ties to Mexican drug lords, and military corrupted oficial in the army of neighbour countries. One on the best things president Bush has done is to help and support president Uribe a true alied of the United States, "

lucaty wrote on Mar 8, 2008 12:49 AM:

" leo varios comento sobre el problema de colombia y ecuador y venuzuela i veo todo mas de parte de colombia,ilo que ace mr chavez es ok.me da miedo de la inorancia de jente de colombia i de otros jente comentarios,cuando en colombia avido DEMOCRACIA nunca yo vivo en north america que tampoco tiene democracia wat f...de people ablan abran los hojos y dejen de ser innorantes que jamas abra demodracia con los estados unidos. "

MrJayR wrote on Mar 7, 2008 3:31 PM:

" Actually, unfortunately, Uribe has had ties in the past with some of the unsavory of Colombia. However, this was an isolated incident and a reaction to receiving fire from the rebels who then fled into Ecuador. And as Colombian indicated, there is no border demarkation in the jungle.
Uribe should just acknowledge his violation and move on. Whereas Chavez has always indicated there are no FARC in Venezuela which underscores the question, You mobilize your troops to prevent Colombia from entering, as they did in Ecuador. However, if there are no FARC in Venezuela, why would Colombia have a need to enter Venezuela? "

COLOMBIA wrote on Mar 7, 2008 3:21 PM:

" PLEASE IOF YOU ARE GOING TO COMMENT ABOUT MY COUNTRY.....LEARN HOW TO SPELL... Pres. Uribe might not be clean, but he ure ass hell done a lot to make Colombia a better and safer place for us. so yes I am glad he did what he did. we are tired of suffering because of Las FARC. "

tim wrote on Mar 7, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Well the only reason pres bush is getting in this is because Chaves called him out and has many times called him names. He just wants another reason to go to war there is all.
Don’t we have or US troops spread thin enough at the present time. Hey we have enough Spanish / Latin America illegals in the USA do we truly want to start riots in the streets. Do you think they will just stand buy and let their brothers and sisters get walked on. Don’t think for a minute only Mexicans are getting in the US illegal! You wouldn’t go in a mostly Mexican part of town and start stuff would you?
"

outsidethe herd wrote on Mar 7, 2008 1:11 PM:

" here is an idea legalize drugs and tax the sh** out of them.. the drugs now being legal would devalue.. the out come would be less crime in America because of the devaluation of the drug would mean the drug addicts would not have to acquire so much money ( through criminal acts )to support their habits... the taxes could be applied to education and rehabilitation... terroristic movements would lose their cash supply...and it would kill the mystique behind using narcotics.. its not as much fun if it is legal "

Colombian wrote on Mar 6, 2008 6:21 PM:

" You people just dont get it. The reason that Chavez is trying to start the war is because he does not want ColOmbia as a democracy. What Bush is doing is the right thing. By taking down FARC he eliminates alot of the drugs coming into America which reduces the number of drugies here. Another thing you need to know is that FARC will kill anyone that gets in the way, I stayed in Meddellin for about 3 weeks and each day on the news someone was killed by FARC. The civilians have a right to be protected from groups of organized crime. Chavez is just plain set against Colombia. The Colombian soldiers were chasing the guy through the jungle, its not like they have a yellow line or a wall in the middle of the jungle saying "WELCOM TO VENEZUELA".
All in all, I think Bush is doing the right thing
Venevuela outa back off if they know whats good for them. "

D. Garcia wrote on Mar 6, 2008 3:16 PM:

" Wow...how can you insinuate that President Uribe has ties to paramilitary groups when you don't know how to spell Colombia!?!? "

Molina wrote on Mar 6, 2008 2:26 PM:

" in all of this i havent heard what the people of columbia think "

jarvis smith wrote on Mar 6, 2008 9:55 AM:

" before we jump on the bandwagon of COLUMBIA. lets not PRES. URIBE is so clean himself. the drug business is still a strong export for COLUMBIA . and PRES. URIBE has ties to paramilitary groups as well. "

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