Pastrana ordered the mobilization after claiming negotiations with FARC leaders had collapsed. The Colombian army deployed some 23,000 troops supported by light armored vehicles, helicopters, and combat planes around the area awaiting orders to move against FARC-held areas.

In the last three years Washington has directed a steady buildup of the Colombian army. Under the guise of fighting drug trafficking, the U.S. Congress approved last July a two-year $1.3 billion military aid package to the Colombian government. The package included a fleet of combat helicopters and some 150 "military advisors," including U.S. special forces, to train Colombian army battalions.

In addition to a 100,000-person strong army, the government has increased from 44,000 to 55,000 the number of career troops it can field. Washington has trained three special forces battalions, upgraded its satellite communications, and purchased surveillance planes and infrared and thermal equipment.

During the latest government mobilization right-wing paramilitary organizations with ties to the regime stepped up their activities. The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC as they are known, have been responsible for killing thousands of peasants, trade unionists, and other activists. According to the Washington Post their numbers have grown from 3,000 to 14,000 in the past three years, with many former soldiers among their ranks.

"We think that if we stay, we will be killed. Once the military comes in here, the paramilitaries will come in and begin their work," said a resident of San Vicente inside the zone, referring to the well-known tactic of the paramilitary forces of going into towns and murdering those they suspect of supporting the guerrillas.

Just hours before the deadline set by the Colombian government for the guerrillas to leave the demilitarized zone, a temporary truce was brokered to allow further negotiations. The FARC has occupied the area since November 1998.

The Colombian president blamed the end of the three-year-old negotiations process on the FARC, claiming that the guerrilla army has refused to implement a cease-fire agreed to last October and has continued to carry out military activities in the rebel-held zone.

Pastrana received support from the White House, with Secretary of State Colin Powell backing the Colombian government's accusation that it was the FARC's "failure to negotiate in seriousness that has caused this crisis to come about."

"We've had this repeated situation sort of crisis with the FARC because the attempts by president Pastrana to open up peace talks or open up discussions about how to resolve this situation have really led nowhere," said Richard Boucher, the State Department spokesperson.

Pastrana has come under growing pressure from Washington to take tougher measures against the guerrilla group and has been criticized for making concessions to the FARC. According to press reports, Powell was to put added pressure on the Colombian government as part of a planned visit that was canceled when Washington went on a war footing against Afghanistan.

Seeking to deepen its intervention in the region, the Bush administration announced January 14 that it is considering expanding its already large military presence in Colombia with the training of an additional rapid-reaction battalion for the protection of pipelines used by U.S. oil companies and other facilities.

Meanwhile, a delegation of U.S. congressmen visited the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este January 14. The city is located right where the borders of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil come together. Washington has called this a "sensitive" area because of the alleged links of the Arab community there to Muslim organizations abroad. The congressional delegation was preceded by a visit from the State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Francis Taylor. "Security in the area has been the main issue for the United States and for many years it has demonstrated its concern," said Mark Davidson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay. "The visit by the congressional delegation is an example of the interest with which the United States follows the events at the Triple Border, and a demonstration of the satisfaction of the efforts that the government of Paraguay is making," Davidson added.  
 
 
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