Border skirmishes Border areas like the northeast state of Norte de Santander, where guerrillas protect 20,000 acres of coca, are hotbeds of paramilitary activity. A right-wing offensive there forced some 3,000 Colombians to seek refuge in Venezuela. Just south of the southern department of Putumayo, Colombia's No. 1 coca producing state, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia allegedly kidnapped 12 foreigners in Ecuador. Colombian guerrillas regularly trade drugs for guns on the Panamanian border. But the nature of border conflict is changing.
Panamanian officials report less contact between guerrillas and national guardsmen than in the past.
For the first time, the FARC pledged to respect the sovereignty of Colombia's neighbors. Each country is trying to use Colombia for its own purposes. Analysts say that the US is using the Colombian war to restructure its drug interdiction scheme. But US officials worry that the loss of Howard will severely limit its drug interdiction capabilities in the near future. I personally think we are behind the ball.