by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Former Colombian President, César Gaviria, said this week that the policy of trying to stop the flow of drugs to the U.S. is a failure and he suggested that the U.S. take a look at the drug policy in Europe because they have been very successful. Gavira offered his criticism at an event in Washington discussing a new report the by Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy. (00:27)

 

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President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia comments on his relationship with Russia and Russia’s involvement in South American countries. (1:13)

 

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The National Press Club Newsmaker Program held a news conference to discuss the recent rescue of FARC-held hostages in Colombia, and how the Colombian government is regaining control of its national territory. Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos explained that on July 2, 2008, fifteen total hostages were rescued, including three Americans, in an unprecedented operation — it was a clean and pure operation where not a single shot was fired and not a single drop of blood was shed. (more…)

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos says Colombia is willing to negotiate a “dignified peace” with FARC, but will continue military pressure if FARC will not comply. Santos says that the Colombian operation that rescued fifteen FARC-held hostages provided a positive impact for Colombia around the world. (1:29)

 

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Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos says that it is a real honor to be in Washington, D.C. with good news from Colombia. He talks about the recent rescue of FARC-held hostages in Colombia and gives credit to President Uribe and the people in the Colombian armed forces for the operation’s success. (1:38)

 

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A group of high ranking senators, governors and officials from the American Hispanic community met today to discuss what needs to be done to ensure that the Colombian Free Trade Agreement gets passed by the House of Representatives in the near future.

Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) talked about how Hispanic leaders from around the country will be joining together to launch a grassroots campaign supporting the agreement. During the Hispanic leaders’ media press conference following their roundtable discussion, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said that holding up the agreement was a “big mistake” both for economic reasons and national security concerns as well. Speakers at the press conference agreed that the issue was vital for the Hispanic community in America as a whole.

Senator Jon Cornyn (R-TX) explained how it was important we support the bill also to back President Alvaro Uribe in Colombia, not the controversial Hugo Chavez.

Shakira- an international pop music performer, originally from Colombia attended a press conference with the Global Campaign for Education on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.