Colombia demands answers on U.S. spying as Latin America seethes

[Catherina]

Colombia demands answers on U.S. spying as Latin America seethes

By Helen Murphy

BOGOTA | Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:19pm BST

(Reuters) - Colombia called for answers from Washington on Wednesday after revelations the United States had spied on the Andean nation, its closest military ally in Latin America, as anger mounted in the region over U.S. intelligence gathering.

Colombia's foreign ministry said it "registered with concern" reports of an "unauthorized data collection program" in a brief statement overnight, and asked that the U.S. government give an account of its actions through its Bogota embassy. "In rejecting the acts of espionage that violate people's rights to privacy as well as the international conventions on telecommunication, Colombia requests the corresponding explanations from the United States government through its ambassador to Colombia," the foreign ministry said.

...

Other countries around the region have used tougher language in condemning what some have called a violation of their sovereignty and a trampling of individuals' rights to privacy.

"Chile cannot but firmly and categorically condemn spying practices, whatever their origin, nature and objectives," its foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, adding it would seek to verify the allegations.

...

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/10/uk-usa-security-snowden-latinamerica-idUKBRE9690U020130710

Latin American nations fuming over NSA spying allegations

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA | Tue Jul 9, 2013 8:41pm EDT

(Reuters) - Irate Latin American nations are demanding explanations from the United States about new allegations that it spied on both allies and foes in the region with secret surveillance programs.

...

"A shiver ran down my back when I learned that they are spying on all of us," Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said in a speech on Tuesday.

She called on the Mercosur bloc of South American nations, due to meet on Friday, to issue a strong statement and demand explanations from Washington. "More than revelations, these are confirmations of what we thought was happening," she said.

...

Brazil's government said it set up a task force of its defense, communications, justice and foreign affairs ministries to investigate the alleged espionage and establish whether the privacy of Brazilian citizens had been violated.

The Brazilian Senate's foreign relations committee has asked U.S. ambassador Thomas Shannon to testify on the allegations. It is unclear whether Shannon, who is not obliged to testify, will do so.

Gilberto Carvalho, a top aide to President Dilma Rousseff, said a "very hard" response to the United States was needed. "If we lower our heads, they will trample all over us tomorrow," he said.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/10/us-usa-security-latinamerica-idUSBRE96900920130710

Couple that with the fiasco, and attempted cover-up of the violation of President Morale's international rights and this is not good.

[allin99]

1. i'm starting to feel bad for obama...

this is a f'g nightmare. i mean, i'm sure he'll get through it just fine, but still. He might actually be better off letting Snowden scadaddle, otherwise he has to answer to all these countries, and then will have still locked up the guy who let them all know. Serious lose-lose situation. And this point the only thing he gets out of locking up mr. spill the beans, is a reminder to others not to do what he did.

[Gregorian]

2. I always thought the spying was about tilting the playing field.

I'm really happy to see what I think is an evening of the playing field.

The big blustery mean guy is finally starting to be a laughing stock. I love what America stands for. I hate what it has become.

[forestpath]

3. knr

[Pretzel_Warrior]

4. Hey Colombia, Fuck off!

yeah, you heard me. get your own shit in order. you are running a crime family more than a country. Your dismay has been noted. Good day.