The U.S. government’s effort to dig its heels in deeper in Colombia under the overt flag of enhancing its anti-narcotics efforts in the region is not only drawing heat from leaders in Latin America but also here at home, in Congress. citrix certification

The deal now being considered by the Obama administration and the Colombia government calls for a 10-year lease providing U.S. personnel access to some seven Colombian military bases, according to press reports. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told the media that the effort to expand the base presence in Colombia should not be read as a sign that the Obama administration will seek Congressional approval to expand the number of permanent U.S. personnel now stationed in Colombia — supposedly limited to 800 military and some 600 civilian contractors. hp certification

But a letter penned by 16 members of Congress — including one Senator — and delivered to President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates cautions that the administration may already be moving too fast on the Colombian front.ibm certification

In particular, the letter, dated Sept. 15, points out that despite its $6 billion-plus price tag, the anti-narcotics effort dubbed Plan Colombia “has not succeeded.”

In addition, the letter raises serious concerns about the human rights record of Colombia’s military.