Colombia’s ‘Paragate’ scandal

The Foreign Minister of Colombia, Maria Consuela Araujo, has resigned after her brother was accused of conspiring with paramilitary groups, among them the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).  This political scandal could hurt the Uribe Administration.  Top members of the adminstration worry that the ongoing imbroglio could damage the international standing of Uribe’s government, and thus accepted Aruajo’s resignation.

Disturbingly, some analysts worry that the FARC guerrillas and the Chavez government in Venezuela are supporting these events as a way to undermine the U.S.-friendly Uribe regime.

NEWS:

• El Salvador envoys slain in Guatamala.  Menchu to run for President in Guatamala.
• Venezuela, Argentina fully collaborate.
• Ortega to visit Venezuela.
• Ecuador to rejoin OPEC.
• Russia to industrialize Bolivia gas.  Bolivia, U.S. negotiating "Fair Trade."
• London and Venezuela sign oil deal.  Chavez sends Brazil sulfer after "devil" Bush visit.  Venezuela wants sub fleet for conflict with U.S.
• Colombia: ex-secret police chief arrested for alleged ties with paramilitaries.
• Mexico sends troops to U.S. border to fight drugs.

View the full version of the Americas Report (PDF)

For any questions, comments, or for those interested in receiving this report in the future or seeking to have their email removed from our mailing list please contact us at our new e-mail address: [email protected]. If you have news stories that you think might be useful for future editions of this report please send them, with a link to the original website, to the same e-mail address. If you wish to contribute with an article, please send it to the same address, with your name and place of work or study.