Colombia Law Officials Complete U.S. Training

Nearly two dozen Colombian security officials have completed 14 days of specialized instruction in the United States on survival training and court security to help their country battle cocaine cartels, officials said Friday.

The training session at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center was held by the U.S. Marshals Service at the request of the State Department. The Colombian government had requested help in training employees who protect judges and others in the judicial system.

Twenty-three Colombians from several “policing” agencies received instruction in court security, personal protection and survival training at the center, said Frank Skroski, deputy chief of training for the Marshals Service.

When the Colombian government launched a renewed cocaine crackdown in August in conjunction with the United States, drug barons threatened to kill 10 judges for every suspected drug dealer extradited to the United States for trial.

President Bush backed the crackdown by issuing a $65-million military emergency aid package for the country, including bulletproof vests, combat helicopters and grenade launchers. A $2-million program to aid Colombian judges and others threatened by cartel hit men was also announced by Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh.