Western Hemisphere
The governments of Colombia and the United States initialed on Friday in Bogotá a military agreement authorizing US troops access to seven bases in the neighboring country, the Colombian Foreign Ministry reported. The pact has been rejected by several governments in the region, including that of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

The document was signed by Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermúdez and US ambassador in Bogotá William Brownfield, in a quick and private ceremony that was held behind closed doors at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 12H00 GMT, AFP reported.

The agreement authorizes the presence in Colombia of up to 800 US military personnel and 600 civil contractors of the United States government, who will conduct operations against drug trafficking and terrorism, according to the two governments. The text of the agreement has not been released.