Puppet Uribe gives Colombia to the US plus total immunity for troops.

[Magda Hassan]

Article VIII: Status of Personnel
1. ... Colombia shall grant United States personnel and their dependents the privileges, exemptions, and immunities accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention.

That's a first (or is it?). Gun toting soldiers are treated as diplomats and accorded the full protections of the Vienna Convention.

In other words, they can randomly shoot someone - anyone - burglarize or engage in any activities whatsoever and the worst that will happen is that they can be made persona non grate and must leave the country.

I think the US (and possibly other) military in Iraq had some sort of immunity. But not the private contractors.

I think the whole 'agreement' is shocking. Amongst other things the US is not paying a cent for any of this, no rent at all (though I am certain there has been plenty changing hands). There are no inspections of any facility or craft permitted. They not only get all their bases but have unlimited access to anywhere they want in the whole of Colombia for any reason. Civilian or military installations the US can use it as they see fit. They can have as many troops in Colombia as they want. And this is for the next 10 years. Needless to say the neighbours are not at all impressed. Nor are the opposition parties in Colombia who see it as a US invasion and a total abrogation of Colombian sovereignty which it is.