CPTnet
19 August 2010
COLOMBIA: Action Alert: Support Demilitarization in Colombia

”Silence the weapons so that women and the people may speak in defense of life and sovereignty.”

Between the 16^th and 23^rd of August, thousands of women and men, members of social, political, and popular movements in Latin America and around the world are in Colombia for the Women and People’s International Summit of the Americas against Militarization.  They are gathered to build a common strategic agenda and to confront the growing militarization of the region. The Summit will close at a military base on the 23^rd with a vigil against militarization and against the presence of foreign military forces in the territory.

CPT Colombia is calling on supporters to:

• Make a call:

- In the US – Call Secretary Clinton at 202-647-9572 to express support for the Women’s Summit Against Militarization happening in Barrancabermeja and your opposition to U.S. bases in Colombia.

- In Canada – call the Colombian Embassy to express support for the Women’s Summit Against Militarization happening in Barrancabermeja and your opposition to U.S. bases in Colombia. Ambassador Jaime Girón Duarte Phone: 613-230-3760 Ext *222

• Pray publicly on Sunday the 22nd for an end to the militarization/US bases in Colombia and for a successful nonviolent day of vigil and prayer on the 23rd in Colombia.

• Organize a public action on the 23^rd (at government offices of U.S. or Colombia) in solidarity with the thousands of women and men gathering the military base that day and calling for the U.S. government to cut all military aid and remove all U.S. forces from Colombia.

The militarization of territories in the Americas has led to the loss of people’s sovereignty, autonomy, and self-determination, and has become a threat to the continent. Its promoters seek to use military intervention as an instrument of political, economical, and social control. Historically, military bases have been used to invade strategic geopolitical locations that are rich in natural resources.  Many times, these locations are found in indigenous, afro-descendant and campesino territories.

Given the Colombian government’s history of granting impunity to soldiers and paramilitaries, its threats and spying against human rights and other NGOs in Colombia, and the continuing use of violence to support the interests of multinational corporations, CPT Colombia believes military aid will only add to the suffering here.