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| President Obama is in Colombia for the sixth Summit of the Americas |
Several
Secret Service agents providing security for President Barack Obama in Colombia
have been recalled, following allegations of misconduct.
The agency
did not give details, but reports suggest the accusations involve prostitution
in Cartagena, which is hosting the Summit of the Americas.
Agency
spokesman Edwin Donovan told the BBC the agents had been replaced and Mr
Obama's security would not be affected.
Mr Obama
arrived in Colombia on Friday to attend the summit.
In a
statement, Mr Donovan said the agency took allegations of misconduct "very
seriously" and said an investigation had been launched.
"There
have been allegations of misconduct made against Secret Service personnel in
Cartagena, Colombia prior to the President's trip," he said.
"Because
of this, those personnel are being relieved of their assignments, returned to
their place of duty, and are being replaced by other Secret Service
personnel."
According to The Washington Post, 12 agents were recalled, and at least one was suspected
of involvement with prostitutes.
More than
30 leaders are in the Colombian port city for the summit, which will see talks
on economic policy and trade.
The BBC's
Arturo Wallace in the capital Bogota says that, even before the incident with
the agents, the summit seemed likely to be an awkward one for the US
government, with debates on the legalisation of drugs and sanctions against
Cuba promised.
Ecuadorean
President Rafael Correa is boycotting the summit because of Cuba's exclusion,
and the attendance of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in doubt.
Earlier,
Colombian police said two small explosions took place in Cartagena, but caused
no casualties or damage.
Those
explosions followed at least one other blast in Bogota near the US embassy,
officials said.
Related Articles:
Misconduct involved 'significant' number of agents
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U.S. secret
service agents walk around the Convention
Center in Cartagena, Colombia, prior
to the opening ceremony
of the 6th Summit of the Americas at the Convention
Center
in Cartagena, Colombia, Saturday, April 14, 2012. Last Thursday,
a dozen
secret service agents sent to provide security for U.S.
President Barack Obama,
were relieved from duty and replaced with
other agency personnel after an
incident of alleged misconduct.
(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
|
Related Articles:
Misconduct involved 'significant' number of agents
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