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Politics
Bush's visit to Colombia triggers violent protests
The president vows continued support despite a leadership scandal.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 12, 2007
BOGOTA, Colombia - President Bush pledged continued support Sunday to this strong but drug- and violence-plagued U.S. ally, on a visit marked by both warm official welcomes and rioting protesters. "Your country has come through very difficult times and now there's a brighter day ahead," Bush said to President Alvaro Uribe after their meetings and lunch at the presidential palace. "We have been friends and we will remain friends." Bush came to Colombia's capital for a show of confidence in Uribe and the country's battle against narcoterrorists. But the stop was clouded by a political scandal involving Uribe, and security jitters had Bush staying only about six hours. Colombia was the third country on the president's five-nation tour of Latin America. He began his journey in Brazil, flew here from Uruguay and was headed later Sunday to Guatemala. Bush last stops in Mexico before returning to Washington on Wednesday. Despite close ties between Uribe and Bush, the U.S. president's visit has generated considerable criticism and strong protests. About a mile from the presidential palace that was the site for all of Bush's events, some 2,000 protesters chanted "Down with Bush" and burned American flags. About 150 of them broke away, attacking riot police with rocks and metal barriers and ripping down lampposts. Some 200 helmeted police in full body armor responded with water cannons and tear gas to reclaim the street. The president's convoy passed about 200 yards away. Four police officers were injured and 100 people were arrested, said Bogota police chief Gen. Daniel Castiblanco. Some 20,000 police and heavily armed troops were mobilized to prevent any rebel attack. The president has indicated he will ask Congress to maintain current aid levels to Colombia at roughly $700-million annually to support the Latin American nation's fight against terrorism and drug trafficking. Colombia receives more U.S. aid than any country outside the Middle East and Afghanistan. Eight close Uribe allies in Colombia's Congress, as well as his handpicked former domestic intelligence chief, have been jailed for allegedly colluding with right-wing militias in a reign of terror that nearly subverted Colombian democracy.
[Last modified March 12, 2007, 07:48:54]
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