Colombian Mennonites ask for Investment in Peace

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 19 February 2000

The Mennonite Church in Colombia declared its opposition to increased U.S. military aid in a letter to President Bill Clinton on February 11, 2000.

"Our country has been trying war and weapons as a solution to its problems for centuries," wrote the church's executive committee. Yet the violence continues, resulting in more than 30,000 deaths last year alone. Instead, the Mennonites called upon the United States to "substitute military involvement in our country for a large scale investment in lasting peace." They affirmed the church's commitment to non-violent conflict transformation, and stated the need for social and economic assistance for Colombia.

President Clinton announced the aid package for Colombia in late January. The President's proposal would provide $1.6 billion over the next two years, with the overwhelming majority directed toward the Colombian military. The money would provide several army units with anti-drug training, increase military intelligence capabilities and purchase more than 60 helicopters. The anti-drug efforts are concentrated in an area held by guerrillas, where fierce fighting has been taking place. The U.S. Congress will consider the proposal in the coming weeks.

Many Colombians fear that such a large injection of new military weaponry and training would dangerously escalate the war. Already, civilians suffer most as a result of the fighting. Many are killed or forced to join one of the armed groups. More than 1.5 million Colombians have been displaced. These internal refugees receive little help from the Colombian government or international organizations.

Two agencies of the Colombian Mennonite Church, Mencoldes and JustaPaz, are currently providing some help to displaced families. JustaPaz is also working to provide non-violent alternatives for peace in Colombia. Earlier this month the director of JustaPaz, Ricardo Esquivia, asked American Mennonites to speak out in opposition to military aid. "It is critical that North Americans work for change. The guns, the helicopters -- they all come from the United States." He added that, ironically, the chemicals used to refine coca into cocaine are also imported from the United States.

Gabriel Mosquera, a teacher at the Mennonite Brethren school in Cali, agreed. "North American Mennonites have to send the message that they will not support an arms buildup that forces people out of their homes and into absolute poverty." Instead, he said, Latin America needs economic and social investment.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org