South American presidents wrangled for hours yesterday over a pending deal to expand the US troop presence in Colombia, closing their meeting with a statement that foreign troops should not be allowed to threaten any of the region's nations.
Leaders also instructed foreign and defence ministers to meet next month and come up with a cooperation agreement that would enable the inspection of military bases in each member country.
The deal between Bogota and Washington, which is done and just awaits signatures, would let US troops use space at seven Colombian bases for 10 years, and also gives the US troops immunity from prosecution in Colombia.
The deal has faced tough criticism from Latin American leaders who tend to be suspicious of foreign militaries in a region where US-backed dictatorships killed and tortured their own citizens only decades ago.
Throughout the day, Columbian President Uribe defended his US military alliance against tough criticism, saying the United States was alone in answering his nation's call for help against drug traffickers.
Fiery Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called the summit "a great step that opened the gates to understanding, unity and peace, because we don't want war."
AP
US-Columbia Deal: Immunity for US Troops
South American presidents wrangled for hours yesterday over a pending deal to expand the US troop presence in Colombia, closing their meeting with a statement that foreign troops should not be allowed to threaten any of the region's nations.