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A covert CIA programme has helped the Colombian government kill at least two dozen rebel leaders, according to the Washington Post.
The paper claims the National Security Agency (NSA) has also provided it with "substantial eavesdropping help". In addition, the US gave Colombia GPS equipment that can transform regular munitions into "smart bombs" capable of homing in on targets, even in dense jungles.
The secret assistance, which also includes substantial eavesdropping help from the National Security Agency, is funded through a multibillion-dollar black budget. It is not a part of the public $9 billion package of mostly U.S. military aid called Plan Colombia, which began in 2000.
The previously undisclosed CIA program was authorized by President George W. Bush in the early 2000s and has continued under President Obama, according to U.S. military, intelligence and diplomatic officials. Most of those interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity because the program is classified and ongoing.
Since 2007, the Post reports, the U.S. has used 500-pound smart bombs specially fitted for Colombia aircraft to target FARC and ELN leaders. The bombs use special encryption keys that unscramble communications from GPS satellites to hit their targets, which are controlled by the CIA so the Colombia armed forces do not misuse the weapons to target political opponents.
According to the paper, the campaign has helped reduce the manpower of the FARC to its lowest level in 20 years, due less to the killings of top leaders than desertions and low recruitment caused by the bombing campaign's disruption of operations. FARC declared a unilateral 30-day ceasefire on December 15 and has been undertaking peace negotiations with the Colombian government for over a year in Havana, Cuba.
Sweareingen
reply to post by OtherSideOfTheCoin
Sorry, but I don't see this as big news.
It's known and it has been well publicized that the U S has backed Colombia since the early 80' s. This not the first or the last time the US will take action there.
OtherSideOfTheCoin
While i would say that yes America's involvement in South America is something of a open secret I am rather taken aback by the reaction of some members.
Yes Delta and the Activity had a role in the killing of Pablo Escobar back in '93 and the role that American and British special forces played in Colombia during the 1980's has also been exposed.
however.
This is 2013 and what we have is a American president and his predecessor who it would seem knowingly provided covert assistance to the Colombian military with intelligence and weapons so they could conduct assassinations using almost the exact same infrastructure they have used to assassinate others in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and so on. There is a massive conspiracy to be found behind those goings on and this news about Colombia is a extension of this very big conspiracy that is the wider program of covert government backed assassination being run by JSOC and the CIA.
I find it strange that members would ignore or dismiss this news just because its been going on for a while or that they already suspected as much. This is quite a big exposure of the secret war that the CIA and JSOC have been conducting in Colombia with presidential approval in partnership with the Colombian Government.
It does astound me that more members do not take a active interest in the work of JSOC and the CIA because if they did then this story would be appreciated a little more.
That said, yes i do understand that we have all known for decades now that the CIA likes to mess about in Colombia.
But that does not take away form the work the Post have put into exposing this covert program.edit on 22-12-2013 by OtherSideOfTheCoin because: (no reason given)
TextThis is 2013 and what we have is a American president and his predecessor who it would seem knowingly provided covert assistance to the Colombian military with intelligence and weapons so they could conduct assassinations using almost the exact same infrastructure they have used to assassinate others in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and so on.
Why would you be taken aback by the fact that so many people are freely acknowledging the corruption of a known corrupt government?
LiveForever8
reply to post by OtherSideOfTheCoin
But they haven't exposed it, that's the point. The CIA hasn't been "messing around" as you so delicately put it, they have been running the show from both sides for decades.
The only question I have is; why release this article now?
OtherSideOfTheCoin
But for me this is another chapter in the huge abuse of power that been bestowed upon the CIA and JSOC post 9/11, it is further evidence of how these powers are being used in yet another state that America is not offical at war with.
If it interests you then that's fine, fair enough. But it really isn't significant. It should be, but it isn't.
OtherSideOfTheCoin
reply to post by andy1972
I know (really believe me i do know) that America has a long history of messing about with South America.
but I think to dismiss this story because of that is bizarre.