The military agreement Colombia and the United States plan to sign in
the near future allows the U.S. to use more than the seven already
approved bases on Colombian territory.
According to a press release of the U.S. government, the U.S. army could use “other military facilities in Colombia if mutually agreed.”
So far, the Colombian government insisted the presence of U.S. military would be limited to the air bases Palanquero, Apiay and Malambo as wel as two navy and two army bases.
The United States reiterated they will not establish U.S. military bases in Colombia but use Colombian bases for its operations.
The ten-year lease of bases is not yet signed, but expected in the “near future.”
The
planned increase of U.S. military in Colombia led to negative reactions
all over South America. Venezuela and Ecuador, both very critical of
U.S. foreign policy in the region consider the pact a threat to their
sovereignty, but also countries that generally support the U.S. voiced
their concern.