USA building four military bases in Panama
The USA is quietly establishing military bases throughout Latin America. I have spoken to a number of people here in Panama that were completely unaware of the four US military bases being built in Panama.
Described as 'anti-drug" preparations, some are concerned about the militarization of the area. Others like the idea of the US providing security for the region.
In an article from The Latin American Bureau, a London-based independent research and publishing company (http://www.lab.org.uk)
Colombia had allowed the United States to take over and control seven military bases; in June 2009 political turmoil resulted in the coup in Honduras where the United States has the military base of Soto Cano; in Oct. 2009 the president of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, announced the concession of four military bases to the Pentagon. The total number of U.S. bases, including the two bases in Aruba and Curacao (Dutch Antilles), to the north and east of Venezuela to date number 13. The current rapid conversion of Haiti into a gigantic aircraft carrier incorporating the 4th Fleet will no doubt soon add another.
The decision by the Costa Rican Congress on 1 July 2010 to allow a big deployment of US troops (7,000 Marines) and equipment into the country was ignored by almost all the media outside Costa Rica. The official reason is to combat drug trafficking, but, says Atilio Boron, from América Latina en Movimiento (ALAI), the real reason is the growing militarisation of US foreign policy in Latin America in preparation for possible military intervention.
