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Bush thanks Colombia for drug aid Bush thanks Colombia for drug aid
(about 3 hours later)
US President George W Bush has thanked Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe for his support in the anti-drugs war.US President George W Bush has thanked Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe for his support in the anti-drugs war.
Mr Bush was in Colombia's capital, Bogota, for a six-hour visit as part of his five-nation Latin American tour.Mr Bush was in Colombia's capital, Bogota, for a six-hour visit as part of his five-nation Latin American tour.
Nearby, at least 25 people were arrested as riot police using tear gas clashed with demonstrators protesting against Mr Bush's visit.Nearby, at least 25 people were arrested as riot police using tear gas clashed with demonstrators protesting against Mr Bush's visit.
Mr Bush praised Mr Uribe's efforts to tackle the country's trade in illegal drugs, much destined for the US.
"I appreciate your determination, and I'm proud to call you a personal friend, and to call your country a strategic partner of the United States," Mr Bush told his Colombian counterpart during a press conference.
The visit is overshadowed by a scandal about alleged links between Mr Uribe's allies and right-wing paramilitaries.The visit is overshadowed by a scandal about alleged links between Mr Uribe's allies and right-wing paramilitaries.
Death-squad denialDeath-squad denial
President Uribe denied any ties between members of his government and the death squads at a joint press conference with Mr Bush on Sunday.President Uribe denied any ties between members of his government and the death squads at a joint press conference with Mr Bush on Sunday.
Troops have been deployed to boost police presence in Bogota
"If there are members of this government that have links to these guerrillas they will immediately be removed from their offices," he said."If there are members of this government that have links to these guerrillas they will immediately be removed from their offices," he said.
Colombia is one of the largest recipients of US aid to help fight a long-running war against left-wing guerrillas and drug traffickers.Colombia is one of the largest recipients of US aid to help fight a long-running war against left-wing guerrillas and drug traffickers.
Some US Democrats are questioning a White House request for $3.9bn in new aid over the next seven years as well as the wisdom of a US trade deal with Colombia.Some US Democrats are questioning a White House request for $3.9bn in new aid over the next seven years as well as the wisdom of a US trade deal with Colombia.
Since 2000, Colombia has received billions of dollars of US funds and military hardware.Since 2000, Colombia has received billions of dollars of US funds and military hardware.
But Mr Bush said that he would press for support of further funding for the country's efforts.
"It is going to be very important for our United States Congress to see that determination and I believe that given a fair chance President Uribe can make the case," he said.
Security tightSecurity tight
Troops have been deployed to boost police presence in Bogota
Last week, Mr Bush defended the $700m-a-year aid programme and expressed his determination to press for congressional approval of free trade agreements signed with Colombia and Peru.Last week, Mr Bush defended the $700m-a-year aid programme and expressed his determination to press for congressional approval of free trade agreements signed with Colombia and Peru.
There have been concerns that guerrillas might try to disrupt the meeting between Mr Bush and Mr Uribe by launching fresh attacks.There have been concerns that guerrillas might try to disrupt the meeting between Mr Bush and Mr Uribe by launching fresh attacks.
Colombian authorities deployed 21,000 troops in addition to 7,000 police who will be responsible for security during Mr Bush's visit.Colombian authorities deployed 21,000 troops in addition to 7,000 police who will be responsible for security during Mr Bush's visit.
President Bush is in Colombia for a few hours, before heading for Guatemala later on Sunday. He has already visited Brazil and Uruguay.President Bush is in Colombia for a few hours, before heading for Guatemala later on Sunday. He has already visited Brazil and Uruguay.
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez is on a tour of Latin America at the same time.Venezuela President Hugo Chavez is on a tour of Latin America at the same time.
On Saturday during a visit to Bolivia, he launched a stinging attack on the US.On Saturday during a visit to Bolivia, he launched a stinging attack on the US.
Mr Chavez described capitalism as "the road to hell". He underlined the billions of dollars of aid Venezuela is ploughing into Bolivia's economy at a time when the US is reducing its contributions.Mr Chavez described capitalism as "the road to hell". He underlined the billions of dollars of aid Venezuela is ploughing into Bolivia's economy at a time when the US is reducing its contributions.
President Bush has avoided discussing his rival's regional trip during his own visit to promote trade.President Bush has avoided discussing his rival's regional trip during his own visit to promote trade.
Mr Bush's presence in Latin American states has been met with protests and marches, some of which have turned violent.Mr Bush's presence in Latin American states has been met with protests and marches, some of which have turned violent.
About 150 protesters clashed with riot police in Bogota after Mr Bush landed on Sunday, with at least 25 arrested.About 150 protesters clashed with riot police in Bogota after Mr Bush landed on Sunday, with at least 25 arrested.
About 20 people were arrested in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo on Friday after an estimated 6,000 people took to the streets.About 20 people were arrested in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo on Friday after an estimated 6,000 people took to the streets.
On Saturday, Mr Bush avoided the crowds by meeting the president at his rural retreat some 125 miles (200km) west of the capital.On Saturday, Mr Bush avoided the crowds by meeting the president at his rural retreat some 125 miles (200km) west of the capital.
Mr Chavez, meanwhile, travels on to Nicaragua.Mr Chavez, meanwhile, travels on to Nicaragua.