Summary
18 August 2010
One of Colombia's highest courts has ruled that an agreement allowing the United States military access to Colombian bases is unconstitutional. However, the ruling does not necessarily mean US forces have to leave the country.
Reporter:
Jeremy McDermott
Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe
Listen
Click to hear the report:
Report
In a surprise decision, the Constitutional Court has ruled that an agreement signed by former President, Alvaro Uribe, with Washington, allowing the US military access to at least seven bases on Colombian soil, was unconstitutional and therefore invalid.
The US has supplied Colombia with more than $7bn dollars in aid, mainly military, since 2000 and last year negotiated a ten-year agreement to turn this country into the regional hub for the American military.
The court ruling does not mean that the US has to pack up and leave immediately. The government in Bogota has been given a way out. If it can present a bill to congress, which is approved, a new agreement could be valid.
The new president, Juan Manuel Santos, who took office earlier this month, controls more than 70 percent of Congress so should have no problem getting new legislation approved.
However, as it stands, the court ruling will please many of Colombia鈥檚 neighbours, foremost among them Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who has stated on repeated occasions, that the US plans to invade his country and take control of the oil reserves, using Colombia.
Jeremy McDermott, 大象传媒 News, Medellin
Listen
Click to hear the vocabulary:
Vocabulary
- military
an army
- unconstitutional
contrary to the rules and basic principles of an organisation or government
- negotiated
discussed and came to an agreement
- to turn this country into
to develop the country
- court ruling
official decision of a court
- been given a way out
been given an escape or way to avoid a problem
- took office
assumed a position of power: in this case, as President
- legislation
a collection of laws
- foremost
most important
- oil reserves
supplies of oil available to be used in the future
