An important part of finding peace in Colombia is changing U.S. policy from one dominated by guns and military training to a focus on aiding the more than three millions civilians displaced from their homes and supporting negotiations to end the war. The FOR participates in national efforts that seek to change U.S. policy.

U.S. Involvement in Colombia
Since 2000, the United States has spent more than $5.5 billion on "Plan Colombia," as part of the "drug war" 80% of it military aid, which has greatly escalated the war in Colombia. Because of this funding, Colombia receives the most U.S. military aid after Israel and Egypt. Support of the escalation has been bipartisan, and the Bush administration has continued this approach, disguising a bloody counterinsurgency as a war on drugs and introducing enormous increases in military aid to neighboring countries. Since the September 11th attacks, terrorism has been included as a second focus for US military aid.

Colombia continues to be Latin America's number-one recipient of U.S. military and policy assistance, with nearly $500 million expected to be delivered in 2008. This military assistance continues at a level more than twice the U.S. contribution for economic aid to the country. The enormous funding of the Colombian military by the United States has made the military sensitive to human rights accusations and charges that the army is collaborating with illegal paramilitary organizations, especially when these concerns are expressed by Congressional offices or the State Department.

The focus of public officials and much of the media in the United States has been on drugs and violence. The human face of Colombian civil society - both as a protagonist for peace and justice and as a victim of political violence - has been largely invisible here. The motives for the U.S. commitment - such as access to oil in Colombia – have remained hidden. In short, the United States has gotten in deep in Colombia, is tangled in a web of ignorance and deceit, and has no exit strategy.

TFLAC's role
TFLAC works to change U.S. policy toward Colombia in order to make it more humane, just and helpful to the people of Colombia. Using reports by FOR volunteers in San José and national groups, the FOR aims to broaden people's perceptions of what is happening in Colombia.

We seek to improve understanding at both grassroots and policy-maker levels of the sources of violence and of efforts to end the violence and impunity. Speaking tours by returning volunteers and Colombian activists and delegations to Colombia's peace communities are educational and inspirational tools for the participants. They also demonstrate critical solidarity with the Colombian organizations, communities and individuals working for justice and peace in the face of terrible risks.

Other organizations that work on Colombia issues [0]