Closing WHINSEC

In 2011, Mexico and Colombia may be the only reliable military allies of the United States in the Western Hemisphere, and both armies are heavily funded by U.S. taxpayers.

Recently, The Washington Post reported that the Mexican army has engaged in torture and other human rights abuses in its anti-narcotics operations.

In Colombia, military personnel have been charged with murdering innocent civilians, mostly young and poor, dressing the bodies in rebel uniforms, and claiming the bodies were guerrillas or drug traffickers killed in combat. Soldiers and police officers received holidays, promotions, and bonuses for fulfilling "kill" quotas.

The Obama administration has shown no inclination to decrease military aid to either country, or to end the training of these armies at Fort Benning, Georgia. In fact, the U.S. plans to establish a presence on seven military bases in Colombia. The new Colombian bases will replace a single base in Ecuador, where the government has refused to renew the lease.

• Statements of Prisoners of Conscience
• "A First-timer's Experience at the SOA Vigil" by Parrish Jones
• PPF in Colombia

Join Us!

• Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship this November 19-21, 2010 in Ft. Benning, GA, for the Vigil and Direct Action to Close the SOA/WHINSEC.
  Click Here for more info.
• Get the latest information and communicate with others about SOA/WHINSEC on the network site.
• Write to your representatives in Congress. You can learn a great deal more about this work at www.soaw.org.
• Lorie and Phil Gates are available to speak to your congregation or organization about WHINSEC, Colombia, and Phil's experience of civil disobedience, arrest, and imprisonment in protest of WHINSEC and its policies.