Cartagena, Colombia -- Just Two Years Ago, It Would Have Been Unthinkable For A U.s. Official Of Madeleine Albright's Stature To Visit War-torn Colombia Because Of The Acrimonious Relationship Between Washington And BogotE1. But This Weekend, In A Testament To The Growing Ties Between The Two Countries Since A New Administration Took Office In Colombia In 1998, The Secretary Of State Came Here For A 22-hour Visit. The Trip Was Intended To Highlight The Clinton Administration's Commitment To A Country Of 41 Million People Ravaged By The Drug Trade And A Leftist Guerrilla War -- And By An Economy In Shambles. [continues 610 words]
AIDE: Gen. Barry McCaffrey says the country is a 'democratic regime in trouble.' Bogota,Colombia-U.S. drug czar Gen. Barry McCaffrey on Monday defended the costly U.S. aid effort in Colombia, calling the rebel-besieged country a "democratic regime in trouble." Since the mid-1960s, Marxist rebels have waged war against the government, and according to U.S. intelligence, they control half - and perhaps more - of Colombian territory. In recent weeks, the guerrillas have humiliated the administration of President Andres Pastrana by taking their fight to the outskirts of Bogota, the nation's capital. In the past, the rebels generally have launched attacks in rural areas. [continues 578 words]
We will never be able to guard the border completely. Not even with the best technology from the gulf war. International problem:Battle for control of cartels raises havoc on both sides of the border. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico -- The banner headline splashed across the front page of a local newspaper blared, ``Another two found in the trunk of a car.'' The victims, both men, had been strangled, each found with a green cord tied around his neck. The article mentioned a possible motive: that it was a drug-related hit. [continues 1007 words]
Crime: The brother of the ex-president of Mexico already is facing murder charges in his homeland. Mexico City-After years of threats, Swiss authorities have decided not to press money-laundering charges against Raul Salinas, the elder brother of Mexico's former president. The Swiss, however, said Tuesday that they have frozen accounts of Salinas totaling some $115 million, arguing that the money is linked to narcotics trafficking. The government said it would keep the funds "for the benefit of the state." Salinas is appealing to the Swiss Supreme Court to recover the funds. [continues 228 words]
Three years ago,the White House increased aid to battle the burgeoning rebel strength. Tres esquinas Military Base, Colombia- The scene is straight out of Hollywood. A ruggedly handsome, tough-talking general in military fatigues points to large maps of coca fields, cocaine labs and guerrilla strongholds in this jungle outpost in southwestern Colombia. The maps are marked "secret" in red marker. As a torrential rain batters the camouflaged tent - which houses the general, other members of the nation's military high command and three visiting U.S. Army officers - soldiers along the nearby Orteguaza River stand guard against an enemy they cannot see. [continues 481 words]
