Cartagena, Colombia — Under a security web of warplanes, ships and 15,000 troops, President Bush praised Colombia's battle against drugs and Marxist guerrillas Monday and pledged to keep U.S. aid flowing so "this courageous nation can win its war against narcoterrorists."
In a country that is the world's largest producer of cocaine and a major supplier of heroin, Bush said President Alvaro Uribe is achieving results with a massive aerial fumigation program against coca -- the main ingredient in cocaine -- and an aggressive military buildup against insurgents, who fund themselves through drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion.
"The number of acres under cultivation are down significantly," Bush said, standing with Uribe in shirt sleeves at seaside lecterns. "The number of arrests are up. The number of murders is down. In other words, this man's plan is working."
Uribe said Colombia was winning the fight, but had not yet won. "We have made progress but the serpent is still alive," Uribe said.
Bush's pledge reaffirms U.S. commitments to a $3.3 billion, five-year military aid program known as Plan Colombia. Bush said the plan launched in August 2000 enjoyed widespread support in Congress and that he would work with lawmakers to keep it funded. Without mentioning a specific figure, Bush said he would seek enough funds to make the plan effective.
Bush left Cartagena for his Texas ranch to spend the Thanksgiving holiday.
At Uribe's urging, he stopped off in this Caribbean seaport city after attending a summit in Chile of 21 Pacific Rim leaders. Security was tight.
U.S. Navy commandoes, toting assault rifles and peering through binoculars, patrolled the Caribbean in rubber boats where submarines and battleships already plied the waters. Warplanes and helicopters provided air cover while 15,000 Colombian security forces were deployed for the brief visit.
Bush was here to strengthen relations in Latin America, but he also responded to news from Iran, which claimed it had frozen all uranium enrichment activities. The United States believes Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
Sounding skeptical about Iran's claim, Bush said, "Well, let's say I hope it's true."
Unwilling to take Iran's word, Bush said, Iran must allow for verification of its claims. "I think the definition of truth is the willingness for the Iranian regime to allow for verification," the president said.
Colombian demonstrators burn a U.S. flag in Cartagena, Colombia. President Bush arrived Monday for a four-hour stay or talks with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. While Bush and Uribe's discussions centered on fighting the drug trade, protesters used the visit to protest U.S. policy in Iraq.
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