Colombian Court Stands Tall on US Military Base Issue

Yesterday, at least one Colombian agency enacted what seems to be an atypical act of political bravery against the United States. The Colombian Constitutional Court, not particularly known for its audacious moves, has suspended the defense agreement Colombia signed with the United States in 2009 on grounds that the measure was never approved by the congress and therefore was thus unconstitutional. Washington’s 2009 defense agreement with Colombia was a cooperative act in which the US was allowed to operate out of seven Colombian military bases. Now the US military forces present at those locations situated across Colombia, must withdraw to other Colombian bases until the Colombian Congress approves the agreement in a democratic manner.

On the record, the Obama administration said it has been looking to improve relationships with Latin American countries through cooperation and respect rather than emulating the imperative attitude of the Bush administration. The latter saw the construction of the inter-American relationship by providing an open faucet for the flow of military policies, some of which proved destructive of regional goals and a sense of balance. Even though the 2009 agreement was not in any way invasive but rather states that Colombia remains the sovereign owner of the bases in exchange for US cooperation with equipment and through the provision of funding for both military and social programs.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Juan Pablo Pitarque