Ortega asks US for $1bn to support drugs fight

[Heretic.Ape.]

Ortega asks US for $1bn to support Central America's drugs fightAssociated Press in Managua
Monday September 3, 2007
Guardian
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said he has asked the US government to give Central America at least US$1bn (£500m) to support its fight against drug trafficking.The former US foe and Sandinista leader said he sent a formal request for the funds to buy helicopters, boats, radar equipment and anything else necessary to fight the drugs war in the region.
He added that US officials "reacted positively" and said they would send a delegation to analyse the idea of cooperation and establish the rules of the game.
A US embassy spokesman refused to comment on the request.
The US actively opposed Mr Ortega's presidential campaign last year, and has closely watched as the leftwing leader has sought close ties with both the United States and some of its strongest critics, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The United States has offered Colombia troops and money in its war on drugs. Mexico's government is also negotiating a drug-fighting aid package with Washington, but details have yet to be announced. The president criticised the United States for being heavy-handed at times with aid, and said any help should not impact on a nation's sovereignty. Two weeks ago Mr Ortega said he did not trust the US Drug Enforcement Administration because its operations mask "unexpected interests" and "terrible things".
The DEA has cooperated with Nicaragua's army and the police since 1990. Ortega said that if the United States "has the luxury of spending more than US $400bn on the war in Iraq, it can give US$1bn to Central America".
Colombian trafficking organisations smuggle most of their drugs through Central America to reach the US market.

[Felonious Skunk]

On so many levels, this is sick irony...

[enquirewithin]

Ortega should know better. Maybe he is being deliberately provocative?

[Woodman]

I remember when Eugene Hasenfuss was shot down in 1986, with a planeload of cocaine.

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a4397bf2608.htm

initially, he denied working for the CIA.

Now, Ortega wants to dick in for a cut of the profits scammed from the failed "war on drugs".

What a fucking joke!

[Alfa]

I wonder what the story behind this is.