Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Protests against Bush in Bogota
Thousands of Columbians have rallied in the country's capital, Bogota, after George Bush became the first US president to set foot there for a quarter of a century.
About 2,000 protesters chanted "down with Bush" and burned American flags as Bush met Alvaro Uribe, Colombia's president, in a drive to build US support in Latin America.
About 150 of the demonstrators clashed with riot police with rocks and metal barriers, and tore down lampposts about 200m away from Bush's passing convoy.
There were reports that one police officer was injured and more than 30 people arrested.
It was Bogota's first visit from a sitting US president since Ronald Reagan in 1982.
Bush went in 2004 to coastal Cartagena, always deemed far safer than the capital of the country afflicted by civil conflict for half a century.
The president is at the mid-point of a week-long, five-nation tour shadowed by his nemesis in Latin America, Hugo Chavez, who is Venezuela's leader.
Colombia is one of the biggest recipients of US aid and Bush's visit is meant to highlight security improvements under Uribe, the most US-friendly leader in the region.
Massive security
The national police chief has warned of possible attacks during Bush's trip, and a massive security effort has been mounted to keep him safe.
More
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D9F552C6-869F-4F91-A134-B3324CC9A799.htm
About 150 of the demonstrators clashed with riot police with rocks and metal barriers, and tore down lampposts about 200m away from Bush's passing convoy.
There were reports that one police officer was injured and more than 30 people arrested.
It was Bogota's first visit from a sitting US president since Ronald Reagan in 1982.
Bush went in 2004 to coastal Cartagena, always deemed far safer than the capital of the country afflicted by civil conflict for half a century.
The president is at the mid-point of a week-long, five-nation tour shadowed by his nemesis in Latin America, Hugo Chavez, who is Venezuela's leader.
Colombia is one of the biggest recipients of US aid and Bush's visit is meant to highlight security improvements under Uribe, the most US-friendly leader in the region.
Massive security
The national police chief has warned of possible attacks during Bush's trip, and a massive security effort has been mounted to keep him safe.
More
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D9F552C6-869F-4F91-A134-B3324CC9A799.htm
Add Your Comments
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$240.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network