US military bases in Colombia

[Vanessa Di Domenico]

These days, perhaps the most problematic International issue going on here, in Western Venezuela, is that we are about to have US military personnel present nearby in more than 7 bases in Colombia. To many, this looks like an act of 'threats' by the USA to all South America, and to Venezuela in particular. We are a 'big oil' state of Vzla, called Zulia, on the border with Colombia, and the US government has already been active here trying to separate the state from Venezuela- a nice and easy way to gain access to the best oil and the most important refinery in the world, not to mention the big business associated with the drugs that pass by here with everyone looking the other way, while the big and powerful enjoy making victims out of the most needy people in the area, both Colombia and Venezuela. What can possibly be done about this? How can the US big army be kept from destroying us? What can we say to the rest of the world that will show how this will affect so many people?

[Vanessa Di Domenico]

Well, after a couple of years of some fear of war with Colombia, I must report that the new president there, Santos, even if he's a fascist, realized he could not do much against Chavez and that our native Wayuus on the border, mostly Chavez followers because he gave them back their rights some 10 yrs ago, would not be easy to pass over to come attack Venezuela. So Santos and Chavez had a beautiful peacekeeping meeting and things are much better now. But we must still see what we can do to keep the USA from putting military bases all over the place. Any ideas from our new members and Principals/Deans? -Vanessa from Venezuela

[Christine Quelch]

Thanks for telling us about what is happening in Venezuela.

I too would like to see an end to all US overseas bases.