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Colombia Denies Having US Base
Bogota - Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez
denied the presence of a US military base in the
national territory on Tuesday, and affirmed that the
topic was not included in the talks between
Presidents Barack Obama and Alvaro Uribe held in
Washington.
Bermudez told Caracol Radio station "nothing has
been said about it," and clarified there will be no
new US base in Colombia.
According to the minister, the two countries intend
to strengthen the
anti-drug fight, in which Washington, he said, has
made concrete contributions.
However, some observes and analysts see with concern
the increased US military presence in that country.
In that regard, they reminded of the possibility
that US planes and troops in the Ecuadorian base of
manta are transferred to Colombian territory.
Those concerns arose, among other factors, after
announcements by then Defense Minister Juan Manuel
Santos that the US presence would increase in due
time with the "enlargement and strengthening" of
military agreements. |
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