Poll shows little Latin support for US-Colombia pact

Latin American countries strongly oppose the military defense pact signed recently between the United States and Colombia, a new poll suggests.

Over 69 percent of some 1200 respondents to a Telesur poll are against the agreement, saying it will strengthen Washington's presence in South America at the expense of Latin countries.

This is while 29 percent support the controversial deal -- which would permit the US military to operate surveillance aircraft from seven bases to track drug-running boats in the Pacific Ocean. Under the deal, Colombia will grant Washington military stay until 2019 in exchange for 5 billion US dollars in economic aid.

The agreement has sparked a storm of protest with South American countries rejecting the deal as a grave threat to regional stability.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, in a regional summit last weekend, said he was fulfilling his "moral duty" by telling fellow leaders that the "winds of war were beginning to blow".

"This could generate a war in South America," Chavez warned.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, meanwhile, said the deal is a serious cause for concern.

Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana also doubted that the deal would be successful in South America, which has a troubled history of US interventions.
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