Colombia's Para-Political Crisis

Aired on June 18, 2007
President Alvaro Uribe has enjoyed back-to-back election landslides and credit for restoring some stability in Colombia's decades old conflict. But now a scandal is erupting taking the shine off America's most loyal Latin ally and the largest recipient of US aid outside the Middle East.

Prominent members of the Uribe government have now been linked to right-wing death squads responsible for thousands of murders.

All this comes at an awkward time for Colombia and the US, effectively putting a multinational-pushed free trade deal on ice. About the only big corporation happy is Burson-Marsteller, the PR giant hired by the Colombian government for some emergency re-branding.

Avi interviews Raul Fernandez, an economist and professor of US-Latin American Relations at the University of California.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Colombia's
• Para-Political
• Crisis
• Alvaro
• Uribe
• Raul
• Fernandez
• Burson-Marsteller

[pombojuank]

Just to complement what i have starteed earlier. I want to say, that when you look at south and central America you see most of governments have a strong left wing political party. whereas in Colombia we have been through the years on the side of USA and its capitalism regime. based on that and on the public opinion it is not fair to treat a loyal and committed nation that has continuosly build up the relationship with USA.

[AllieCaulfield]

That relationship with the US is the problem. Do you really think Colombia has freedom when they are controlled by the US?

[pombojuank]

I believe we have the absolut right to seek options that leaves doors open. I believe in individual to make rational judgements, I believe that the quest for prosperity, happines, higher standar of living must be pursuit. And strengthening our relationship with other, not only with US will give us the right path to achieve it.

[AllieCaulfield]

Death Squads

[pelaos3]

Colombia= Israel of south America

Colombia= El Israel de sur america

AUC= Alvaro Uribe Corporations

[crocante]

You get what you deserve...

[pombojuank]

What is your point? what do you mean by the Death Squads.. the AUC???.... I don't really get what you're trying to say. I would happily hold a debate so as long as we discuss with arguments on hand.

[pombojuank]

Whay are you so pesimist about Colombia? Do not make the mistake to judge Colombia for what its situation has been for the past couple of dacades. Judge Colombia for its people. If you look at pass government performance compare to its current government improvments and major advance in different fields of colombia can be seen.