US Defense Chief in Colombia Thursday for Drug Talks
VOA News 15 April 2010
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is continuing his Latin American trip in Colombia Thursday to discuss cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.
Gates has said the U.S. hopes the talks will help preserve its partnership with Colombia as the term of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe ends in August. The U.S. has spent billions of dollars in Colombia in recent years to help the government's anti-drug efforts.
Gates met in Peru's capital, Lima, Tuesday with Defense Minister Rafael Rey. Following the talks, Gates told reporters the U.S. is prepared to increase efforts to stop boats and planes that carry drugs in the region.
The defense secretary said the U.S. has no plans for a permanent base in Peru, but is merely interested in finding ways it can best work with both Peru and Colombia to fight the narcotics trade.
Gate will next travel to Barbados, where he is to attend a Caribbean security meeting expected to focus on fighting illegal drug trafficking and other crimes that cross national borders.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
