Tensions between Colombia and Venezuela have been on the rise. On Nov. 20, the Venezuelan army destroyed two footbridges used by smugglers operating along the 1,375-mile border between Colombia and Venezuela.
 Washington has contributed large sums to the militarization of Colombia, which it sees as an extension of its own power into Latin America. |
Although neither of the bridges was indicated in any treaty between the two countries, the Colombian government labeled the destruction an act of “aggression” and a violation of international law, and put its military forces on high alert. Venezuela has asserted its right to take action to destroy an illegal port of entry for oil and drug smugglers.
The border region between Venezuela and Colombia has been the site of increased violence over the last several months. Paramilitaries linked to the Colombian army recently killed two Venezuelan soldiers and nine Colombian civilians at the border. Venezuela has captured three Colombian men accused of being spies; Colombia has acknowledged that at least one is an agent of its Administrative Security Department, the country’s intelligence agency.
The verbal wrangling between Colombia and Venezuela over the two bridges is emblematic of heightened tension between the two countries that has been building since the summer.
In July, Colombia announced an expanded military relationship with the United States. The new accord was officially signed Oct. 30. The U.S. military now has free access to two air bases, two naval bases and three army bases, in addition to all international civilian airports. The accord also includes $46 million in construction to develop the Palanquero air base in the Magdalena Valley for U.S. purposes.
The agreement between Colombia and the United States is a threat to the progressive anti-imperialist tide sweeping through Latin America. As the Pentagon budget itself notes, the accord allows the United States increased capability to launch operations beyond Colombia’s borders.
The plan caps the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia at 800 and U.S. military contractors at 600. There are reportedly 250 U.S. military personnel and 400 contractors operating in Colombia.
In reality, the entire Colombian army and paramilitary units operate as a proxy force for U.S. interests. The Colombian military’s capabilities have been greatly expanded by U.S.-provided training and funding—more than $5 billion since 1998. The right-wing Uribe administration has repeatedly proven itself to be a staunch ally of Washington, acting as a reactionary counterweight to the growing progressive movement in Latin America.
That Colombia would sharply attack Venezuela’s efforts to curb drug smuggling is rather revealing. Washington and Bogotá have largely justified the heavy militarization of Colombia on the grounds of combating drug production and trafficking. Clearly, the flimsy pretext for turning Colombia into a base for the projection of U.S. power into Latin America does not hold up to examination.
The increased U.S. military presence in the region poses a particular danger to Venezuela—which the U.S. ruling class sees as one of the greatest and growing threats to it exploitative hegemony in the region. The government of President Hugo Chávez has not only brought progressive change in Venezuela, but has actively fostered Latin American unity against U.S. domination.
In response to the military agreement between the Colombian and U.S. governments, the Venezuelan government froze relations with Colombia in August and began increasing its own military presence on the border. Trade between the two nations—an annual $7 billion—dropped 49.5 percent in September.
Since the accord was announced in July, the increasing tension has prompted media pundits and others to speak about the possibility of war between the two countries. Uribe denied that possibility on Nov. 21, but his public reassurances hardly make up for the increasingly bellicose posture of his government.
The current tension and any military conflict that may arise between the two countries is the direct responsibility of U.S. imperialists and their incessant drive to exploit the resources and people of a region they have historically considered to be their “backyard.” All U.S. bases and military forces should be withdrawn from Colombia, and all military aid cut off. Hands off Latin America!
