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Panama says no to U.S. military base
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by politisite | July 4, 2008 at 08:17 pm
473 views | 16 Recommendations | 8 comments
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Panama has ruled out hosting a U.S. military base to replace one in Ecuador which is being reclaimed by the Quito government, a senior Panamanian official said on Friday.
Panama -- along with Peru and Colombia -- had been tipped as a possible site to replace the Manta air base in western Ecuador, a key strategic asset in Washington's campaign to stop Latin American cocaine from reaching the United States.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, a close ally of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, has vowed to cut off his arm before allowing Washington to retain the base when the current lease runs out in 2009.
The U.S. military has said it would like to find another site to retain counter-narcotics capabilities.
Panama's Justice Minister Daniel Delgado said his country's often turbulent history with the United States made the establishment of new bases impossible.
"There will be neither bases nor installations (in Panama)," Delgado told Reuters.
Although Panama has close ties with the United States, the Central American country has enjoyed full sovereignty only since Washington handed over control of the U.S.-built Panama Canal and its surrounding land and military bases at the end of 1999.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (8)
at 21:02 on July 4th, 2008
politisite, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 01:47 on July 5th, 2008
politisite, Didn't China get control over managing the canal when the U.S. left in 1999? Its interesting how much Latin America want the U.S. to stay above Mexico's border. Wow policy maker have not been diplomatic to these countries and now it is really starting to show & bite them in the caboose.
Why not have the U.S. Legalize pot and cocaine then tax it to create revenue and free up the jails & prisons from those who did minor offenses on these drugs. while placing kingpins, drug traffickers and real criminals in there place. Then we will not need to have military bases in latin america and can rely on the naval fleet considering we have re- activated the 4th naval fleet for this purpose anyways.
at 03:26 on July 5th, 2008
Everchanging wrote......
Because we love to use terms like, 'Drug War' and 'War on Drugs' in our news headlines.
at 08:32 on July 5th, 2008
We lost a stratigic pathway when Carter signed over the panama canal when he was president. I am not sure the details but he may not have had a choice if it was a lease deal.
I am for legalization of soft drugs as Alcohol is probably the most dangerous drug out there. In recent years, since the late 80s, Crack has become a major problem. There is no good reason to legalize a drug so addictive as it is. Based on drug related admissions to emergency rooms, Alcohol accounts for almost all of these. Pot accounts for less then 2 percent.
We are reaping what we sow. America needs to rethink intervention into countries affairs. These actions can be handled by the sorrounding countries. America should direct its attention more to helping the hungry, disease, and development. That wiull help restore America to its previous position. President Bush quadrupled aid to Africa but due to our war efforts he loses credit for those events. It is a shame as he has done some really good things but the War has overshawdowed everything he has done.
at 01:49 on July 5th, 2008
politisite, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 03:26 on July 5th, 2008
politisite, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 08:47 on July 5th, 2008
politisite, I like this story. It's good stuff.
i wish more countries could say no.
at 12:28 on July 15th, 2009
I am currently living in Panama and my wife is Panamanian (I am a US citizen). I think this is another stupid decision by a government (corrupted by drug money) that cannot provide for its own people. The facilities (bases, installations, etc.) turned over to them in 1999 are in disgraceful condition. Most are literally rotting away. Others are ghettos. The canal is not fairing so well either (and no the Chinese are not in control - it is the Panama Canal Authority - the Chinese would do a better job). A lot of Panamanians feel as I do. The US should have never left because this part of the world needs someone to keep things in order. BTW - I have never seen things this bad in Panama in all the years we have been coming here (infrastructure - garbage collection, water distribution, etc.). In another 8 - 10 years without supervision, this will no longer be called the Isthmus of Panama, it will be called the Ghetto of Panama!