NEWS: US Soldiers Held in Connection with Columbian Arms Smuggling

Two American GIs stationed in Columbia are being held in connection with an arms smuggling case. They entered a house where police were investigating an arms cache Tuesday, and when questioned, could provide no reason for being there. They are being held pending an investigation. The arms were apparently earmarked for the Right Wing militia. The US Embassy has confirmed the arrests.



Well, this isn't unprecedented, but it is discouraging. One can only hope they weren't acting in any sort of official capacity. The Right Wing is no better than their opponents, they both use the same terrorist tactics, and neither extreme deserves the suppport of the US.

The names of the soldiers have not been released. It is likely this information will be made available eventually, perhaps after their families have been notified.

Some people hold soldiers up as minor deities, secure in the belief that they can do no wrong. Others demonize their every action, unable to come to grips with the warlike nature of the human species. I take the middle road. I believe that criminals should be punished, irregardless of stars or bars. Facts regarding this case are still few and far between, hopefully we'll know more as this developing situation unfolds.

Additional Source: www.cbsnews.com...

[edit on 4-5-2005 by WyrdeOne]

[edit on 4-5-2005 by WyrdeOne]

Update:
Colombians Want U.S. Soldiers Accused of Arms Trafficking to Face Justice in Colombia

Two American soldiers accused of arms trafficking emerged from jail Thursday and were handed over to U.S. officials, but a top Colombian official tried to delay their deportation, saying a treaty granting them immunity might be invalid.
Inspector General Edgardo Jose Maya's move reflected a widespread sentiment among Colombians that the two U.S. Army soldiers - a chief warrant officer and a sergeant - should face trial in Colombia. They were arrested Tuesday in connection with an alleged plot to smuggle more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition, possibly to outlawed right-wing paramilitary death squads responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Thanks WorldWatcher!

The names of the soldiers have now been released (from WW's article).

The two American soldiers - identified as Alan Norman Tanquary and Jesus Hernandez - spent the night in a police holding cell in Ibague, a town of crumbling brick buildings in the mountains of west-central Colombia. On Thursday morning, they were hustled by authorities out a back door, eluding waiting journalists. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said they were headed to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.

"The two U.S. soldiers are now in American custody and will be while U.S. officials attempt to ascertain more facts and determine how to proceed," said Whitman, who declined to comment on specifics of the accusations against the soldiers.

The Columbians are obviously wary about this extradition. The last time they let American GI criminals leave the country, the fellas disappeared and were never heard from again. This is standard operating procedure, because a treaty between our two countries gives immunity from prosecution to US soldiers operating in Columbia. However, the Columbian constitution may overrule that treaty, because it takes exception to foreign criminals operating on Columbian soil. The constitution of Columbia is probably the most progressive of any country in South/Central America, just a minor tangent.

The ammunition had been sent to Colombia by the United States under its Plan Colombia aid program.

So now we get down to it. This ammunition was sent to assist the government, and it somehow made its way into the hands of a dealer who conspired to sell arms to the right wing guerillas.

This stinks, and I hope somebody in the region has a nice big shovel, to dig up the truth about the relationship between the dealer, the GIs, the government of Columbia, the Right wing liason, the American government, and any other involved parties.

Does this seem like the tip of an iceberg to anyone else?