US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez announced Tuesday in Washington, D.C., that the two nations have reached a provisional agreement that would allow the US access to seven Colombian military bases, including air force installations at Apiay, Malambo, and Palanquero, from which to mount counter-narcotics and counter-terrorist surveillance activities in the region. The agreement is now undergoing final review. The US has been looking for access rights to facilities in Latin America partner nations with the loss of Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta, Ecuador. Clinton said the agreement does not signal or authorize an increase in the US military presence in Colombia. (Fact sheet on agreement; Clinton-Bermudez press briefing transcript)
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.