A Colombia Special Forces
soldier: Is NATO partnership what Colombia
needs to see off potential
threats from Venezuela and its allies?
Why Colombia Needs to Partner with NATO (El Tiempo,
Colombia)
"In the face of this deployment of Venezuelan arms, the Colombia
government has a duty to seek allies that allow it to show that our nation will
not be alone if a neighbor attempts an assault against it. Given that President
Santos made the terrible mistake of giving up the agreement that provided for U.S.
government backing to strengthen Colombian military bases that U.S. forces could
utilize for non-offensive actions, we must seek other means of support, and who
better than NATO?"
Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos: His government has created a stir announcing that it wants a parnership with NATO as a counterweight to Venezuela and its allies.
This country is
in urgent need of international partners with which to information and
expertise on security, and whose support will work as a necessary bulwark in
times of crisis.
With
the clarification issued by Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon on Colombia’s
aspiration to be associated with NATO, not a member, the government has managed
to clarify the terms of a desire that is consistent with the nation's
democratic credentials and security situation. This is of practical use in
terms of what we can learn from the world’s strongest democracies in the fields
of security and the battle against terrorism. If we can share information about
our successes in the fight against drug trafficking, as the government suggests,
a deal will be even more appealing.
Given
the confusion created by the statements of President Santos on this aspiration,
which provoked an over-reaction on the part of Presidents Maduro,
Ortega and Morales, and undercut the explanations offered the Colombian people,
we are confident that government spokesman recognize the importance of speaking
more precisely and in terms that don't allow differing interpretations, most of
them contrary to the intentions of the speaker.
The
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, was the response of the democratic
countries to the Warsaw Pact, a military treaty dependent on the Soviet Union.
NATO today consists of 28 first-world nations that share democratic values and
strong principles on maintaining a strong defense. In addition, there are 42
associated countries, which include Ireland, Japan, Australia, and Korea, all
of which share information and develop strategic plans. According to the
government, that is the option Colombia seeks. Given its democratic character,
the Latin American left didn't collapse with the Berlin Wall, and has been
responsible for demonizing NATO by distorting its role of defending democracy in
places it is endangered or has been infringed upon.
Even
if they have toned down their statements, the threats issued by the presidents
of Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia demonstrate that our country urgently
needs international partners with which to share information and knowledge in security,
and whose support will serve as a needed protective barrier in times of crisis.
Situations like the insecurity along the border with Venezuela, which we referred
to in our editorial on May 25 Fear on the
Border, confirm how urgent it is to have the logistical, technical and
training support for our troops that a mature and stable organization like NATO
can provide.
On
the other hand, although it has ceased to be a preoccupation for our country and
the international community, the arms buildup in Venezuela is moving ahead by
leaps and bounds. According to the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute, which was created and is funded by parliament
of Sweden - which no one can label pro-Yankee - while the global arms market between
2007 and 2011 grew by 24 percent over 2002-2006, Venezuelan arms purchases in grew
555 percent over the same period. Among the equipment obtained by the country,
which is at peace at home and has no reason to fear outside threats, we find
tanks, warships, combat aircraft and missiles.
In
the face of this deployment of arms, the Colombia government has a duty to seek
allies that allow it to show that our nation will not be alone if a neighbor attempts
an assault against it. Given that President Santos made the terrible mistake of
giving up the agreement that provided for U.S. government backing to strengthen
Colombian military bases that the forces of that country could utilize for non-offensive
actions, we must seek other means of support, and who better than NATO?
Posted By Worldmeets.US
In
that vein, it is regrettable that in recent hours, the government has made
statements it wasn't obliged to make and missed the opportunity to regain the
dignity it lost in its relations with governments that don't respect the
principles of respect for the sovereignty of peoples. If something should be
drawn from this incident, it is the proof that Colombia isn't dependent on
international relations with an alliance of countries supported by Venezuelan
oil.
