IBS Observations on Country Plan for Colombia, November 9, 1959
Civic Action Program, August 28, 1961
Noting the Colombian Government's determined stand against banditry and against the efforts of pro-Castro ELN and Communist elements to promote urban terrorism and rural insurgency, the committee has recommended that the country team give priority consideration to steps to help remedy present deficiencies in military and police operations. ... Could the important program for the Youth Camps be made more effective: 1) by integrating it into the general counter-insurgency effort, for example, through specific information programs, 2) by Colombian authorities continuing contact with young men leaving the Camps, 3) by extension of the system, possibly through smaller village counterparts, or 4) by possible improvements in training?
Joint State/AID Message, April 20, 1965By enabling the Central Government, and particularly the Colombian military, to establish rapport with the youth in various parts of the country through the medium of youth camps, there may be some "fall out" (such as intelligence collection) in the general counterinsurgency effort. In addition, courses designed to instill patriotism and instruction in civics presumably will have had some beneficial effect. With respect to extension of the system, a minimum of twenty-eight (28) youth camps are progrrammed for 1965. The number of participants per camp has been reduced from fifty (50) to thirty (30), and Colombian support from national to local level has been solicited for up to 50% of camp costs. ... It is anticipated that support and advice by USIS, Peace Corps Volunteers, educational institutions, government agencies and religious groups will continue to insure high standards. With respect to Alianza Sindical housing, the Country Team will, of course, do everything possible to expedite this project and, if possible, to mute differences between the UTC and CTC.
Colombian Internal Defense Situation, July 3, 1965All Public Information at the national level is released in Colombia through the Sección de Divulgación (PIO) at the Ministry of Defense. This section consists of one officer and one enlisted man from each component of the military services and the National Police. The section was formed on recommendation of the USARMIS and was trained by a MTT from the Canal Zone. Moreover, the Ministry of Defense has requested annual quotas for PIO's in the course at the U.S. Army School of the Americas. The Colombian Army has 10 motion picture projectors on loan from USIS and receives films on a regular basis. Some projectors are being used by the Army in rural violence areas, others in pacified regions. Topics of films shown are Civic Action in Colombia and other Latin American countries, good citizenship, democratic government, and the dangers of Communist infiltration. Pamphlets on these same topics, calendars stressing the role of Civic Action as a government program, and cartoon booklets from USIA and other sources, are distributed during these film showings; and on other occasions. U.S. military representatives work closely with their Colombian counterparts in many aspects of the information program. Proposed publications are discussed by both teams with publication and production of these materials provided by the U.S. military whenever possible.
Publicizing U.S.-Supported Civic Action Programs, January 10, 1966