Tim Johnson: LatAm Complaints Over US Spying Ignores Their Own Wiretap Programs Tim Johnson - McClatchy
go to original July 12, 2013

US fugitive Edward Snowden is set to meet with human rights groups. (Euronews)

MEXICO CITY — Several Latin American presidents have complained bitterly following recent revelations about U.S. electronic surveillance, but there’s a bit of hypocrisy in some of their griping.

At least four Latin countries have requested, and received, U.S. help in setting up eavesdropping programs of their own, ostensibly designed to fight organized crime. But the programs are easily diverted to political ends, and with weak rule of law in parts of the region, wiretapping scandals erupt every few months.

... Mexico is one of four Latin nations to receive sophisticated surveillance equipment, software and training from the United States in recent years. The other nations are Colombia, Panama and Paraguay.

Other Latin governments can easily obtain surveillance technology if they want it and Washington refuses to provide it.

Read the rest at SunHerald.com

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