Colombia: March 23, 2005

Archives

  Last Fall, the U.S. Congress changed the law that limited American personnel assisting the Colombian government in the war on drugs. There could now be 1,400 Americans down there, instead of the previous 800. But the Colombians have been so successful in their battles against rebels and drug gangs, that only a few hundred additional American troops and civilian contractors have been sent south. The American troops and civilians serve mainly as advisors for  intelligence and logistical operations supporting the 17,000 Colombian troops in  Joint Task Force Omega. This outfit specializes in going into the jungles and mountains to fight rebels and drug gangs. You don't hear much about  Joint Task Force Omega, but it is the key military organization in the successful battle against FARC, ELN, AUC and the drug cartels. The Venezuelan troops are well trained and led, partly because of the efforts of American military and civilian trainers. American technical experts help operate electronic equipment used to track enemy movements.  

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close