Link: http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/821/42188

By waging a brutal war against its own population on behalf of transnational interests, the Colombian state has earned the endorsement of successive Washington administrations. They have lavishly rewarded Colombia’s ruling elite with high praise and billions of dollars of military aid. The corporate media have also responded favourably, depicting Colombia as a democracy under threat from “dictatorial” Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, in need of US support. Under the guise of combating guerrillas and narco-terrorists, this moral and financial support has contributed to a murderous campaign against all forms of dissent inside Colombia’s borders. Targets include trade unionists and leftists, women’s groups, peasant activists, indigenous organisations, Afro-Columbian communities and other “surplus” elements that impede the advance of “free trade” with the US.