The proposed military bases agreement with the U.S. will have no geopolitcal impact upon the region Defense Minister said Wednesday.
“This agreement carries no connotation of either geopolitical or strategic significance in order to ensure its effectiveness in combating drug trafficking and narco-terrorism,” El Espectador reported Gabriel Silva said.
The agreement, which gives U.S. troops access to seven bases to enhance Colombia’s anti-drug and counter-insurgency operations, has been criticized by neighboring countries for allowing a American military presence in the region.
The Minister stressed that White House representatives, with whom he met earlier this week, are disposed to go ahead with the plan.
Colombia’s Constitutional Court recommended that the agreement first pass through Congress because the scope of the new negotiations with the U.S. go beyond a simple addition to previous treaties.
Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez countered that the goverment has a solid legal case on which to proceed with the signing of the agreement autonomously of Congress.
Silva said Tuesday that Colombia will sign the controversial security pact by the end of the week.