Colombia in the US News August

President Uribe met with businesses in the bordering city of Cucúta, to discuss the implications of the crisis with Venezuela, due to the Colombian announcement of the installation of US military bases in the country. To read more go to BBC. In related news, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has stated that the US doesn't have intentions of establishing permanent bases in Colombia. However she also talked about a cooperation program between both nations that will increase US military personnel in Colombia for counter-narcotics and counterinsurgency efforts. For more information please click here.
On August 18th CNN reported that the FARC had released a video of two hostages. In the video the soldiers that were taken captive by the FARC in 2007 and 2008, asked President Uribe to negotiate with the group a humanitarian exchange.
Former kingpin Diego Montoya pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, murder and racketeering charges in a US court, at the beginning of the month. Montoya was sentenced to 45 years in prison. To read more please click here
The New York Times reported on August 2nd, that there was new evidence found on the captured computers from the FARC, of the arms deal between this organization and the Venezuelan government.
Voice of Americas reported that 15 soldiers were sentenced to as many as 30 years in prison for the illegal killing of two brothers identified as guerrilla combatants.