CHILE/BOLIVIA: Border Landmine Deactivation Slow As Chile Asks For 10 More Years.

LAHT/     Chile says it needs 10 more years to finish deactivating all the landmines along the border with Bolivia. “According to the information provided by military officials in Chile, they have only cleared the equivalent of about 20% of the total mines planted on the border with Bolivia. Of the 90,000 mines planted along the border, they have deactivated 19,000,” Bolivian Defense Minister Saavedra said. The Chilean army began the work of destroying the 1970's-planted landmines... in 2005.

COLOMBIA: FARC Planting New Landmines Even As Clearing Them Continues.

GLOBAL POST/
Colombia is one of the most mined countries in the world. Between 1990 and this past October, there were at least 8,081 victims from explosive devices. And FARC rebels are increasing landmines use. “We’re clearing mines at the same time as more are being planted in other parts of the country. We’re attending to victims at the same time that new communities are being affected by this phenomenon,” said expert Andres Davila. “A landmine is a perfect soldier: It doesn’t eat, it doesn’t ask for vacation, it doesn’t need to rest and it is active for 30 years,” said Lt. Colonel Mauricio Moreno.