Latin America Boosts Security Ahead of Bush Visit
 Xinhua
| | A woman walks pass a graffiti that reads 'Get out Bush' in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, March 7, 2007. US President George W. Bush heads to Latin America Thursday to sell his message of democracy, free trade and cooperation with Washington, and to fight the growing sway of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. (AP/Andre Penner) |
The governments of Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay and Guatemala have all boosted security for visits by U.S. President George W. Bush, according to reports on Tuesday.
In Brazil, where Bush will start his five-nation Latin American tour on Thursday, authorities have assigned more than 200 elite agents, alongside federal police, military and civilian staff, to look after his security.
Daniel Sampaio, a senior police officer responsible for institutional defense, said that Brazil was working with U.S. agencies -- the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
"Bush is a possible target anyway. That is why we have raised the risk level to its highest. All our resources were mobilized for his visit," Samiao said.
According to the media reports, the U.S. government will also send around 250 agents, 12 armored vehicles, guns, an anti-missile device, communications equipment and tons of personal material to guarantee Bush's security in Brazil.
After his stay in Brazil, Bush will also travel to Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico.
In Uruguay, four large U.S. Air Force C5 Galaxy aircraft arrived there on Monday to prepare for Bush's visit.
The Galaxy planes were carrying U.S. Army Sikorski CH-53 Superstallion helicopters in kit form, two mechanical diggers and dozens of soldiers, who assembled the helicopters shortly after their arrival.
Bush will meet Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez in Colonia, 190 kilometers west of the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo. The South American nation has granted visas to 400 people accompanying Bush during his journey.
In Bogota, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said that Bush's security would be guaranteed on Sunday, when he visits that nation.
"Bush can feel calm here, nothing is going to happen," Santo told reporters, adding that the authorities had precise information and orders about the security measures.
"The operation was planned months ago by protection and defense experts, and each of his movements and activities will be rigorously safeguarded," Santos said.
There will be strict controls on the entrances and exits to Bogota and frequent patrols on its outskirts. The metropolitan police has assigned 7,000 staff to escort Bush and 13,000 others to the city.
The Mexican government has sent 2,000 soldiers to increase security for Bush's visit to Merida, the capital in the Caribbean coast state of Yucatan.
The soldiers, from the presidential staff, the army and navy, have begun erecting barriers to keep demonstrators out of the Temozon Hacienda, where Bush will meet his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon.
Also on Monday, two U.S. planes carrying soldiers, police officers and equipment landed in the Hacienda.
Diplomats say the two leaders will discuss security on their shared border, agricultural products within their free trade agreements, and Mexican migrants in the United States.
The two last met in November 2006, when Calderon was president-elect. Bush and Calderon will also tour the Uxmal ruins and hold a joint press conference. |
Vallarta Weddings
News from Around the Americas | March 2007 
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