A Victory for Change in Colombia

Now is a moment to celebrate! After many years of advocating for change, we have scored a momentous victory in the pursuit of a more just U.S. intervention in Colombia.

from our friends at Witness for Peace NW

for more info on the legislation, see http://www.cipcol.org/?p=426#1

Now is a moment to celebrate! After many years of advocating for change, we have scored a momentous victory in the pursuit of a more just U.S. intervention in Colombia. Last night the full House of Representatives approved a new aid package to Colombia which cuts military aid by over $200 million! All of your calls to the Congress over the past week stopped those who supported the old approach from introducing an amendment to add back in the military aid.

This victory belongs to all of you! Your collective work over the years has led us to this point and we thank everyone for their amazing work and dedication to seeing a change in U.S. intervention in Colombia.

The foreign aid bill cuts military aid to Colombia by $30 million while greatly increasing aid for poor farmers and victims. For example, Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities will receive $15 million in development aid planned in consultation with these communities.

The aid package aims to strengthen respect for human rights by providing judicial institutions with the resources they need to investigate abuses and collaboration with paramilitaries. Human rights conditions will now apply to 40 percent, not just 25 percent, of military aid in the bill.

Given the failure of aerial spraying to curb coca cultivation by even a single hectare in seven years, the House has also reduced funding for spray planes used to fumigate farms and increased aid for small farmers. It's not perfect, but it's a huge step in the right direction!

On to the Senate!

The fight is not over. Coming in July the Senate will take up the foreign aid package to Colombia. We have to protect the changes we won in the House!