Last Friday, following a heated debate on the House floor, representatives voted down the McGovern amendment to the Foreign Operations bill that would have taken millions of dollars from aerial drug fumigation programs and put toward refugee and humanitarian relief. The amendment was voted down 175-229 with 33 representatives not present for the vote.

The debate was strongly led by Rep. Jim McGovern who argued that, ?(Drug policy) has been a miserable failure?. He contended that the U.S. should not continue to give funds to military programs when, ?the Colombian military continues to commit heinous acts with impunity?. Rep Skelton explained that his support for the amendment stemmed from his belief that no aid should be unlimited or should go unchecked, as the Colombian aid has been accused of being by some analysts.

However, even while the House continued its support for Colombia?s military, the Senate recently decided to put a hold on a portion of Colombia?s military aid. This action is believed to be a response to the State Department?s recent decision to give Colombia human rights certification, despite continuing stories and evidence that raise serious questions about the countries? humanitarian progress. The Senate?s hold on the funds is only temporary, but this reveals a growing concern within the legislative body about the human rights abuses that continue to be reported in a country that receives one of the biggest portions of the United State?s aid.

For a more in-depth analysis of this vote click here

Colombia?s recently re-elected President Uribe was in Washington yesterday to discuss Colombia?s relationship with the U.S. President Bush characterizes Uribe as a ?vital ally? in the region, where U.S. interests have been loosing ground since Venezuela?s Hugo Chavez has become very vocal about resisting U.S. trade liberalization and influence.

Colombia?s human rights record has been concern inside and outside of the government, and has become the sticking point within Congress in decisions concerning foreign aid. The main focus of the meeting, however, was trade policy and drug eradication programs. In Bush?s welcome to Uribe, he detailed the qualities that he appreciates in the Colombian president, ?He's got a tough job in dealing with narco-terrorist groups in his country, but he's committed to dealing firmly with narco-terrorism. He's committed to helping reconcile past differences. He's committed to helping people get back into society. And I appreciate those commitments. He's committed to human rights?.

The Andean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) that is being worked out with both Peru and Colombia would be comparable to other free trade agreement that have been signed with north and central American nations. Uribe is very supportive of the measure and during his visit both he and President Bush expressed a desire to have the agreement, which was written up in February, to be approved by the U.S. Congress as quickly as possible. The two leaders are still working out some details of the pact, though neither leader announced what issues were still being considered. Many analysts believe that the continued negotiations are due to the vast opposition to the agreement in Colombia?s agricultural sector.

The funding of illegal drug crop eradication in Colombia has long since been a heavily U.S. funded program since Plan Colombia was adopted in 2000. Since that time the U.S. has given over four billion dollars to Colombia to help fight the narcotics trafficking that helps put drugs on the streets of the U.S. Despite the heavy funding, there has been no indication that the drug eradication programs have been successful in reducing drugs or drug-related violence in either country. President Uribe acknowledged this fact yesterday when he said, ?In the last two years we have not gotten the (inaudible) result in dropping the areas with illegal drugs. One point we have studied this morning with President Bush is how to speed up the eradication of drugs, because we need to show better results in this area?. In order to be more successful President Uribe has requested additional funding from the U.S. This aid would have to be approved by Congress, where many democrats oppose giving further aid to a program that has yet to make a significant difference after six years. Uribe explains that need for additional aid by citing Colombia?s lack of infrastructure to carry out such large-scale operations, he said ,? We need to have at our disposal the infrastructure, the airplanes, the necessary equipment (in order to decrease the amount of crops)?.

Afro-Colombian Grassroots Leaders Delegation June 19-22 Twelve Afro-Colombian leaders from the grassroots movement and peace communities will ocme together to develop a platform of international solidarity that addresses the human rights crisis, humanitarian crisis, and loss of legal title to land that their communities are confronting. This situation is worsening daily in these rural communities and endangers their very existence as an ethnic group beyond the armed conflict. Topics that will addressed include the illegal appropriation of traditional lands by armed groups and economic actors; threats, massacres, violence perpetrated against thier communities and thier leaders; the crisis of internal displacement; the impact of US military and fumigation programs; and the truth, justice and reparation challenges related to the demobilzation process. Leaders will decide upon strategy and recommendations document directed at the US Congress. Additionally, they will develop mechanisms of communication, cooridination and representation between thier communities and guidelines for work with international supporters, the US Congress and international organizations.

For further information and the schedule of events please contact Marino Cordoba, AFRODES USA, at macobe2001@yahoo.com or Gimena Sanchez, WOLA, at gsanchez@wola.org

About the US Office on Colombia

The U.S. Office on Colombia is an independent non- profit organization, not affiliated with any political party, that seeks to educate U.S. policymakers, the media and the U.S. public about the impact of U.S. policy on Colombia.