A plan to expand the US military presence inside Colombia is coming under increased criticism in Latin America. Colombia has agreed to grant US forces the use of three military bases for anti-drug operations while also allowing hundreds of troops and private military contractors inside its borders. On a visit to Colombia, the head of the US Southern Command, General Douglas Fraser, tried to downplay fears over the US military presence.

Gen. Douglas Fraser: “It’s important to understand that Colombia is the one who decides what kind of capability resides within Colombia. We will coordinate with Colombia, but it is Colombia, because it is Colombian bases, that determines the activity and the capabilities that we do. But all our activity will be focused in the way that I said: focused on illicit trafficking, focused on counterterrorism, focused on building partnerships to address the regional security issues we face.”

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is touring several Latin American countries trying to build support for the plan. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez continued his criticism Wednesday, saying the bases could spark a South American war.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “We are concerned with these bases, because they could be the start of a war in South America. We’re talking about the Yankees, the most aggressive nation in human history.”

Bolivian President Evo Morales also criticized the Colombia deal, saying he would seek a regional display of opposition.

Bolivian President Evo Morales: “Yesterday I told President Uribe that I’m going to present a resolution to UNASUR to make a cooperative decision to not accept any US military base in any South American nation, or even better, any Latin American nation for the unity of Latin America, because I’ve been a victim of the North American officials and armed soldiers in uniform in El Chapare.”