Call to action from UFPJ

Chatham beach at Isla del Coco

From United for Peace and Justice:

The outrageous announcement that 46 US warships and 7000 Marines are heading for Costa Rica to "fight drugs" should alert all peace and justice organizations to the real significance of this action.  Such a move will raise legitimate alarm in the Caribbean, Central and Latin America of the real intent of the United States and react accordingly. 

Regardless whether this was done with the connivance of the Costa Rica government or not, as peace and justice activists, we are opposed to the extension of US military force, especially, at these times, when our Brothers and Sisters in the South are moving forward in their struggle for national sovereignty and independence from US influence.

 

Endorse the "Declaration Against US Military Forces in Costa Rica, the Declaration against Invasion and Military Impunity":

 

- We the undersigned and organizations of our support network, categorically reject the U.S. military ships entering Costa Rican territory, as well as any further increase of militarism to attempt to solve conflicts in global politics. 

 

- We oppose the permission granted by the Costa Rican Legislature, which allows for joint patrols against trafficking of drugs into Costa Rica with up to 46 warships, 200 helicopters, 10 AV-8B Harrier aircraft and 7,000 marines.

 

- With this action, the government of Costa Rica aims to join the U.S. military agenda in Latin America. The solution to drug trafficking is social, not military.

 

- Costa Rica, with its neutral and pacifist tradition, cannot allow its territory to be used for a military objective that violates their sovereignty. This U.S. military contingent will be able to move freely throughout Costa Rican territory with immunity for its troops. Such a military presence in a country without an army is unacceptable.

 

- We call on our respective governments and peoples to jointly promote all possible action to defend Costa Rican sovereignty, and to reject this military action.

 

Call to Action: United for Peace & Justice encourages UFPJ Member Groups and other organizations to individually endorse this declaration and communicate it to Hendrik Voss, School of the Americas Watch, hvoss@soaw.org.   To support endorsement, we encourage that issue information and calls to action be forwarded to member group constituencies.