After years of unsuccessful efforts, opponents of more military aid to Colombia have succeeded in persuading Congress to change the balance of U.S. aid to the country. On June 12, the House Appropriations Committee approved a foreign aid bill for 2008 that would cut military aid to Colombia by $156 million.
The committee increased economic aid by $90 million, leaving an overall cut of $60 million in foreign aid.
An additional $150 million in military and police aid is expected to come from the Defense budget appropriation again this year. This brings the total military aid to about $445 million, or 65% of the total aid package (as opposed to previous packages which included 82% military aid).
The Bush administration's proposed aid package for 2008 reflected the same balance as the previous five years, with over 75% in military and police aid. The committee's shift if sustained would free up economic aid which could go toward such projects as improving infrastructure, developing a more effective judicial system, and offering assistance to displaced peoples.
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