Colombia deal sees US military using civilian airports (AFP)

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia deal sees US military using civilian airports (AFP)

4 November 2009 BOGOTA - A deal that has angered leftist Latin American leaders sees the US granted access to Colombia’s civilian airports as well as military bases, according to the full text of the accord published Wednesday.

Posted on the website www.minrelext.gov.co, it states that the United States and Colombia “will establish a mechanism to determine the estimated number of flights that will have use of international airports.”

The text suggests the US military could use any of several international airports dotted across the country, including in the cities of Barranquilla, San Andres, Cartagena, Bogota, Cali, Medellin and Bucaramanga.

The 10-year deal signed last week despite fierce opposition from countries in the region — notably Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia — grants the US military access to seven military bases strategically located across Colombia.

Some 800 US troops and 600 US civilian contractors will be permitted on Colombian soil and will enjoy diplomatic immunity, which has caused an uproar among the political opposition and non-governmental organizations.

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