Private U.S. Operatives on Risky Missions in Colombia

"The men's families and critics of American policy here say the case sheds light on a shadowy world of secret operations that employ private contractors in deals that make it easy to skirt public scrutiny and for all to wash their hands if something goes wrong."

In the same fashion that Dyncorp, a subsidiary of Computer Sciences Corporation, has become the US International Rent-a-cop in the Middle East and elsewhere, we also have susidiaries of Northrop Grumman running undercover intelligence missions. These are nothing less than mercenary operations, especially in view of the jobs status of those running the missions. Why do you need mercenaries, you might ask? Well, that way, there is no need for oversight, no need to ask permission, limited responsability in case of problems, as the families of these men are learning now.

Family members [...] remain confused about the contractual obligations of the men's employers.

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Northrop Grumman, in a statement, declined to answer a list of questions regarding details of the program and requesting a response to the relatives' claims.

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"We hear that Butch went to work for CIAO [a sister Grumman subsidiary] three days after he was assigned to Colombia," said Betty Oliver, the mother of Mr. Oliver, who is known as Butch. "And consequently CIAO does not recognize who is working for them. Grumman does not recognize he worked for them. So who did he work for?"