Out in Right Field

by Julius Ponds

Back on March 1, 2008, the Colombian military crossed over the border into Ecuador to take out an encampment of FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) terrorists. That action caused a short-term diplomatic crisis and Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez used the action to engage in some saber-rattling and anti-American propaganda.

First, the United States should support a fellow democratic nation that has implemented the Bush Doctrine. Colombia also has the right to treat nations that harbor or give aid to terrorist groups as they would the terrorists themselves, just as we have done with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Colombia also made the wise decision to pursue its interests in a unilateral, military strike. It did not waste time spinning wheels in the Organization of American States (OAS) or Rio Group meetings while terrorists were receiving sanctuary just across the Colombian frontier.

Secondly, in a South American climate that sees the leftist tyrant Hugo Chavez constantly raising his profile and building connections throughout the hemisphere, it is all the more important to cement our support and friendships with those nations, like Colombia, who seek it.

The United States should stand behind Colombia whole-heartedly. That means giving it the diplomatic support in its drive to suppress terrorists groups and to stand up to regional delinquents like Hugo Chavez. It also means approving the free trade agreement with Colombia. As we have learned the hard way over the past eight years, in times of trouble, the true friends of the United States are few and far between. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a true friend like Colombia.