U.S. in Colombia

By Javier Gonzalez

"Concerns Grow About U.S. Military Aid to Colombia" (Aug. 17) quotes U.S. officials denying any interest or need for a U.S. invasion. But what are they to say, "Yes, we maintain an option to invade a sovereign nation"? The U.S. is already involved in Colombia. But not in stopping the drug trade exclusively, as government officials claim. The U.S. government clearly is involved in tracking leftist guerrillas, as it does in Mexico and has done in virtually all nation states of the world.

How much of the $289 million in U.S. aid to Colombia's military is used to investigate the drug ties of U.S. government officials, including U.S. embassy staff and the family of members of the armed forces?

When will we realize that the struggles of oppressor governments and oppressed populaces are internal struggles, with the sole role of the international community being to protect against human rights violations?

JAVIER GONZALEZ Culver City