The United States is currently planning to have several military bases in Colombia in an attempt to alleviate the drug importation problem at the source. However it is expected that this plan will be brutally rejected by South American presidents when they meet in Argentina at the end of this week to discuss this issue. The Presidents of Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia have continually spoken out against the plan to have US bases in Colombia. These leaders feel that it will simply be a launch pad for invasion into their nations. It is ironic to me that there is such a fuss over this issue since the US spends billions of dollars every year combating drug importation into America. We are finally taking it one step further by alleviating the problem at the source. I can see why these nations might be skeptical but I honestly don’t believe it is well founded.
It comes as no surprise that the ring leader of the meeting between these nations in Hugo Chavez. He wishes to discuss his concerns with the other nations. Basically he is certain that the US will invade his country once bases are set up in Colombia. This makes me ask a question – does he realize who is President of the United States now? If this had happened when Bush were in office, sure he would have a right to be very concerned. However Obama is in office and he is about the farthest thing from a war oriented President.
