President Chavez’s continued interference in the internal affairs of Colombia is an insult not only to the Colombian people but also to his own people. I was in Colombia for more than two weeks this past August and the general consensus from the public was that the bases are necessary to finally defeat the narcoterrorists and the FARC that have plagued the country with a 40-year-old civil war that has caused the deaths of thousands of people and a diaspora that is seeking a better life in all corners of the world. Are there Colombians who oppose the Yankee bases? Of course. I saw much graffiti across the country which stated “No to the Yankee bases.” However, the Colombian people feel it is more important to finally defeat the terrorists which will allow for the economic, social, and political growth of the country.
President Chavez, on the other hand, is purchasing millions of dollars in offensive military equipment for God knows what purposes, while at the same time slowly removing the freedom of expression from his people and causing food shortages throughout his country. Why are we not highlighting the fact that he has closed numerous television stations that criticize his government? Why are we accepting his continued interference in the internal affairs of Honduras, who removed President Zelaya because he was going to breach his nation’s constitution? Why are we allowing him to support the narcoterrorists and the FARC with weapons from Sweden? Why are we allowing him to support drug dealers whose products are a threat to our national security? His “Bolivarian Revolution” only seeks to solidify his own power at the expense of democracy in the region. As a Colombian, I only have two words for Chavez: ”Back off.” As an American, I only have six words to say, “You are the enemy of democracy.”
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