Three reports state that the Colombian Air Force (FAC) was given orders to intercept any aircraft suspect of carrying narcotics for drug trafficking purposes (Cadena 225 Oct. 1990; St. Louis Post-Dispatch 17 Sept. 1989; Xinhua 16 Sept. 1989).

The attached 16 November 1982 UPI report states that a FAC aircraft transported monies generated by drugs to a Panamanian company involved in a money laundering operation. The attached 30 August 1989 San Diego Union-Tribune article states that a former Colombian drug trafficker testified to an attorney-general in California that traffickers were protected by the Colombian army, air force and navy.

Information on whether the FAC has committed human rights abuses between 1980 and 1990 could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Cadena 2 [Bogota, in Spanish]. 25 October 1990. "Air Force Downs Plane Linked to Drug Trafficking." (FBIS-LAT-90-208 26 Oct. 1990, p. 47)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 17 September 1989. Late 5-Star Edition. "9 More Killed in Columbia." (NEXIS)

The San Diego Union-Tribune. 30 August 1989. "Cocaine's Rise in State Stirs New Strategy." (NEXIS)

The United Press International (UPI). 16 November 1982. AM Cycle. "A Long Island Man Was Arrested Tuesday..." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 16 September 1989. "Colombian Air Force Ordered to Thoroughly Check Air Space." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Cadena 2 [Bogota, in Spanish]. 25 October 1990. "Air Force Downs Plane Linked to Drug Trafficking." (FBIS-LAT-90-208 26 Oct. 1990, p. 47)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 17 September 1989. Late 5-Star Edition. "9 More Killed in Columbia." (NEXIS)

The San Diego Union-Tribune. 30 August 1989. "Cocaine's Rise in State Stirs New Strategy." (NEXIS)

The United Press International (UPI). 16 November 1982. AM Cycle. "A Long Island Man Was Arrested Tuesday..." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 16 September 1989. "Colombian Air Force Ordered to Thoroughly Check Air Space." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Report. 1981-1991.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1982-1996.

Drug Trafficking Update [Lima]. 1990-1995.

Journal of Interamerican Studies & World Affairs [Miami]. 1993-1997.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1989-1997.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1989-1997.

Three sources consulted did not provide information on the above-mentioned subject.

Electronic sources: DIRB Databases, Global News Bank, Internet, REFWORLD (UNHCR database).

Information on the above-mentioned topic could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Report 1994. 1994.
Amnesty International. February 1997.

Colombia: Hacienda Bellacruz: Land, Violence and Paramilitary Power.

_____. June 1994.

Colombia: "Violence is Against Our Beliefs, Our Traditions, Our Being": Human Rights Abuses Against Indigenous People.

_____. March 1994.

Colombia: The Human Rights Movement Under Siege.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994.

The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1993-1997.

Human Rights Watch World Report 1994. 1994.
Human Rights Watch (HRW). December 1993.

State of War: Political Violence and Counterinsurgency in Colombia.

Keesing's Record of World Events. 1993.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1993.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1993.

One oral source consulted did not provide information on the above-mentioned subject.

On-line search of news articles (NEXIS and World Wide Web).