Time is up for Plan Colombia. Act now for Peace in Colombia!

On June 28, 2005, the full House of Representatives is to debate the Foreign Operations appropriations bill for 2006 (H.R. 3057). Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota) and Dennis Moore (D-Kansas) are expected to introduce an amendment cutting funding from the Andean Counterdrug Initiative.

Congress is to vote on more money for the next phase of Plan Colombia - as much as $750 million for 2006. The six-year policy of mostly military aid expires this year, and new money won't rescue a failed plan. Until there is a plan that can bring hope for Colombia, we reject additional funding for futile military strategies.

Consuming $4 billion since it was first passed by Congress in 2000, Plan Colombia has failed to reduce drugs or stop violence, and has exacted tragic human and environmental costs in Colombia. Approximately 80% - $3.2 billion - has gone to the Colombian military and police. The recent San José de Apartadó killings illustrate the urgency of redirecting U.S. policy toward Colombia at this critical stage.

The time to act is NOW. Urge members of Congress to create an opening for peace by supporting all amendments to cut military spending.

Aid for Colombia is passed each year as part of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill [the annual foreign aid budget law]. Over the next month, the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee will draft the first version of the FY2006 bill, and will debate it in subcommittee on June 14th. From there, the bill goes to the full Appropriations Committee the week of June 20, and then to the full House for debate and a vote as early as the week of June 27th. The Senate bill begins moving in July. (See the 2006 aid request page for information about what is in the bill.)

It's critical that we make our voices heard at this point in the process.

• Before June 27th, call your member of Congress and urge support for any amendments to the FY2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that cut military aid to Colombia. (Call the congressional directory at 202-224-3121 or click here to identify your member of Congress.)
  
  Sample script with a few key talking points.
  
  
• Join us for Colombia Action Days, June 20-24 (see the box at the bottom of this page)

• We have been successful in delaying the State Department's certification of Colombia's eligibility for more military aid this spring! Add your name to the rapid response network to be activated if State does decide to certify, which it might do within a month. Send an e-mail to list@peaceincolombia.org with a request to be added to the list.
  
  
• Free Peace Coffee to caffeinate your Colombia activism (fairly traded, of course!). The first 100 people to report back on their local activism and send us pictures of their actions will receive fair-trade, organic Colombian coffee to keep them wired for the cause! Report back to us at reportback@peaceincolombia.org!