The United States is also interested in navy bases on Colombian territory, El Espectador reported Friday. The U.S. and Colombia already agreed the U.S. can use Colombian air bases.
According to the newspaper, the United States discussed the possibility of navy bases in Malaga (Pacific) and Cartagena (Atlantic) within the cooperation agreement.
The U.S. government wants to control the drug trade via the Colombian Atlantic and Pacific bay to Central America and Europe. According to the Navy, more than 56 tons of cocaine, worth US$1.4 billion, have been seized so far in 2009.
The United States are seeking ways to continue their anti-narcotics
operations in the Pacific and Caribbean after Ecuador had told the
Americans they had to leave the Manta base, an airbase just off the
Ecuadorean coast.
The U.S. and Colombia are close to closing the cooperation agreement. However, the Colombian government confirmed earlier this day to consult with the high court first before allowing the United States to use Colombian airbases for anti-narcotics operations.
