Colombian court strikes out US deal

A Colombian court has declared as unconstitutional a deal which gave US troops access to Columbia’s military bases.



The constitutional court ruled that the 2009 accord should be redrafted as an international treaty and sent to Colombia's Congress for approval.



The plan allowed the US to use seven bases to help with operations against drug trafficking and terrorism.



However, it was criticised by other Latin American countries over a concern about the rise in US influence in the region.



The US was forced to look for a new centre for regional operations after Ecuador refused to renew the lease on its military base in Manta.