WILL THE COST OF WAR RESULT IN PEACE ?

The year is 1989, December 20Th and Panama is
invaded by formidable U.S. force that included
27,684 troops and over 300 aircraft. Soundly
defeating the 46,000 Panamanian Defense Force.
Officially 200 Panamanian civilians died in the
conflict, many say that more like 2000 died due
to the brutal use of firepower in populated areas.
"JUST CAUSE" was justified by the U.S. as
the defense of human rights in Panama and
combating drug trafficking. The end result
was to guarantee the continued safe use of
the Panama Canal and the capture of the corrupt
president of Panama, Manuel Noriega and his
subsequent trial and imprisonment . He was
wanted for drug trafficking in the U.S. after years
of U.S. support that allowed his existence.

The Year is 2010 and the United States has landed
the 4Th fleet in Costa Rica. The President is
not wanted for Drug trafficking. This invasion is by
invitation of President Chihuahua and the Costa
Rica ruling body politic. The reason , combating
drug trafficking and to perform acts of mercy
and peace. Sound familiar ?

Most Central American countries have served as a
de facto pipeline for drugs like marijuana, cocaine,
and now the new "chemically" concocted drugs
to the U.S. and Europe. They have notoriously
turned the other cheek and allowed the transport
and some cases raw materials for the drug cartels.
No "criminal acts",involved only a breakdown of
responsibility and morality. The new apple in the
garden of Eden in this decade is greed and power.
Only Nicaragua can truly be excluded in this
group of facilitators.

However the invasion will probably be short lived
since most of the fleet will depart soon possibly parking
offshore in Venezuelan waters in a show of force. This
is in support of Colombia who is the supplier of
most of the worlds cocaine and 80% of the concrete
used in Panama. The media is now "predicting" at the
least an eminent border war between Colombia
and Venezuela.

The economic cost of an "out of control war" in South
America is almost an impossibility at this point. After all
the trade between Colombia and Venezuela is now
calculated to be $5 billion yearly. The U.S. has poured
over $5 billion in U.S. aid into Colombia and has infused
U.S. advisers throughout their huge military complex .
Venezuela has substantial oil reserves and supplies almost
20% of oil used in the U.S. Again the corporations
rule not the politicos.

An appetite for armed conflict does not exist in this climate.
Venezuela's military looks anemic when compared to
the U.S. backed Colombian military. Unless Chavez initiates
a Don Quixote attack on the 4Th fleet we will not see armed
conflict between the two (three?) nations. The poor in both
Venezuela and Colombia will remain poor and the de facto
trade and transport of Drugs will continue to grow. Ditto
Panama.

However the Drug cartels should beware since the seeds
for the legalization of drugs have been planted in the U.S.
This might herald the beginning of the end of free flowing
money to the criminal right. Already huge investments
are being made in real estate and facilities for the extensive
production of Marijuana in the state of California. If A new
industry is born leading the way to legalization of drugs.
Capitalism will win and the drug cartels will loose.