These nations, many of which are newly established democracies, including Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and possibly even Venezuela and Panama, can not afford to have their fragile democracies wrecked by insurgents as is happening in Colombia. Colombia's national sovereignty is increasingly threatened by a resurgent guerilla movement, a violent illegal paramilitary movement, and wealthy narco-trafficker interests. Although the central government in Bogota is not directly threatened at this time, control over large swaths of the countryside is limited to non-existent. It is in these very areas where the guerrilla groups, paramilitaries, and narcotics traffickers flourish. The principal destination for such narcotics is the U.S. market.
China is no stranger to the drug trade.
Its People's Liberation Army has, for example, been actively exploiting the PRC's de facto colony, Burma, for drug-running operations. The Administration has repeatedly seen intelligence-sharing as a technique for endearing itself to those like Russia, the UN, Cuba and the PLO that are more likely to use such information against the United States and its vital interests than be constructively influenced by this practice. Under its current president, Andres Pastrana, the Colombian government may be less prone to such behavior than other beneficiaries of what the Clinton team seems to regard as noblesse oblige. Given that government's history of corruption, the suborning influence of drug operatives and the incompetence of the Colombian military, however, it is not unreasonable to question whether American intelligence will be compromised by the narco-guerrillas, or even foreign governments with whom they have ties that are hostile the United States. Fortunately, incoming Panamanian President Mireya Moscosco has signaled a welcome willingness to see an American presence in her country, but only after the treaty is full implemented and all American troops leave .