Colombia-US Troops Hit the Beaches
1-6-1994
^U.S. Troops Claim Beachhead in Colombia, Mingle With Vacationers AP Photo IBTR102
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
JUANCHACO, Colombia (AP) _ American soldiers hit the beaches of Colombia, to the bewilderment of local residents and swimsuit-clad vacationers in this rustic Pacific getaway.
The growl of U.S. Army heavy machinery intruded on the laid-back atmosphere of Juanchaco's open-air bars and restaurants Wednesday as the vehicles rolled down the black-sand beach.
A gaggle of tourists joined a few locals to watch the show, leaning against canoes or taking shelter from the sun in a gazebo.
About 135 American soldiers are rebuilding a road and constructing a school and clinic here. Most are combat engineers from Fort Rucker, Ala.; the rest are stationed in Panama.
The exercise has been criticized by Colombian congressmen who say President Cesar Gaviria invited the "gringos" without their authorization. Many suspect it's actually aimed at pressuring drug traffickers and leftist rebels in the region. Juanchaco is 45 miles west of Cali, home to the world's largest cocaine cartel.
"I wonder why we need the Americans to do this. Aren't Colombian soldiers capable of building a road, school and clinic?" asked vacationer Edilberto Castillos, gesturing at Colombian troops standing guard over the unarmed Americans, assault rifles at the ready.
The American soldiers weren't answering: When a reporter tried to interview them he was met by stony silence. One soldier - a woman dressed in tropical camouflage fatigues - nodded when asked if the U.S. soldiers had been ordered not to talk to the press.
U.S. Embassy officials in Bogota said they were trying to give the mission - the first effort of its kind by U.S. troops in Colombia - a low profile to avoid exposing themselves and Gaviria's administration to further criticism.
Colombian Defense Ministry spokesman Jaime Vasquez said Tuesday the site was chosen because it is impoverished, and that security concerns were secondary.
Although Juanchaco is fairly poor, with a collection of motley shacks on its outskirts, there are Colombian villages in much worse shape. Juanchaco generates some tourist revenue when people from the nearby port of Buenaventura, Cali and other cities come to enjoy the beach and eat seafood.
The only way to get from population centers to Juanchaco, which fronts the Bay of Malaga and is surrounded by water and jungle, is by boat or helicopter.
The only road heading out of the city - the one the Americans are repairing - goes just a half-mile to Ladrilleros, another coastal town.
^U.S. Troops Claim Beachhead in Colombia, Mingle With Vacationers AP Photo IBTR102
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
JUANCHACO, Colombia (AP) _ American soldiers hit the beaches of Colombia, to the bewilderment of local residents and swimsuit-clad vacationers in this rustic Pacific getaway.
The growl of U.S. Army heavy machinery intruded on the laid-back atmosphere of Juanchaco's open-air bars and restaurants Wednesday as the vehicles rolled down the black-sand beach.
A gaggle of tourists joined a few locals to watch the show, leaning against canoes or taking shelter from the sun in a gazebo.
About 135 American soldiers are rebuilding a road and constructing a school and clinic here. Most are combat engineers from Fort Rucker, Ala.; the rest are stationed in Panama.
The exercise has been criticized by Colombian congressmen who say President Cesar Gaviria invited the "gringos" without their authorization. Many suspect it's actually aimed at pressuring drug traffickers and leftist rebels in the region. Juanchaco is 45 miles west of Cali, home to the world's largest cocaine cartel.
"I wonder why we need the Americans to do this. Aren't Colombian soldiers capable of building a road, school and clinic?" asked vacationer Edilberto Castillos, gesturing at Colombian troops standing guard over the unarmed Americans, assault rifles at the ready.
The American soldiers weren't answering: When a reporter tried to interview them he was met by stony silence. One soldier - a woman dressed in tropical camouflage fatigues - nodded when asked if the U.S. soldiers had been ordered not to talk to the press.
U.S. Embassy officials in Bogota said they were trying to give the mission - the first effort of its kind by U.S. troops in Colombia - a low profile to avoid exposing themselves and Gaviria's administration to further criticism.
Colombian Defense Ministry spokesman Jaime Vasquez said Tuesday the site was chosen because it is impoverished, and that security concerns were secondary.
Although Juanchaco is fairly poor, with a collection of motley shacks on its outskirts, there are Colombian villages in much worse shape. Juanchaco generates some tourist revenue when people from the nearby port of Buenaventura, Cali and other cities come to enjoy the beach and eat seafood.
The only way to get from population centers to Juanchaco, which fronts the Bay of Malaga and is surrounded by water and jungle, is by boat or helicopter.
The only road heading out of the city - the one the Americans are repairing - goes just a half-mile to Ladrilleros, another coastal town.
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