US-Colombia base deal unconstitutional

BOGOTA - Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled that an agreement granting the US military access to the seven military bases was unconstitutional because it lacked parliamentary approval.

The deal, struck last year, represents an international treaty and therefore must be put before Congress for approval before it can enter into force, the court ruled Tuesday.

Then-president Alvaro Uribe in 2009 granted the US access to seven bases for the fight against drug traffickers after the US had to end a similar agreement with Ecuador.

President Manuel Santos, who was defence minister when the deal was made, has in the past defended the agreement, which, however has created friction with Venezuela.

Since taking office earlier this month Santos has been working to improve relations with Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez.

The government, which has a majority in Congress, has so far not said whether it wants to put the deal to Congress for ratification.

The court’s ruling does not affect earlier accords on the use of Colombian bases by the US military.