Five U.S. military personnel also suspected of inappropriate conduct in Colombia
- By Kevin Baron and Michael Catalini
- National Journal
- April 15, 2012
- Comments
The Summit of the Americas is being held in Cartagena, Colombia.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Five U.S. Service members are suspected of "inappropriate conduct" related to the Secret Service unit providing security at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia.
"The conduct is alleged to have occurred in the same hotel where the recalled United States Secret Service agents were staying," said a Saturday release by U.S. Southern Command, out of Miami. The members of Joint Task Force "violated the curfew established by the United States Senior Defense Official in Colombia," the command said.
The news of the service members' violation of curfew comes after 12 Secret Service Agents were accused of misconduct on Saturday.
White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Saturday that President Obama, who is in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Summit of the Americas, had been updated on the situation but would not comment on the president's reaction.
"It would not be appropriate for the President to characterize something that's being looked into by the Secret Service at this time," Carney said.
The military personnel are now confined to quarters and will return to the U.S. after the mission, with the rest of their unit.
Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, Southern Command commander, said that he is "disappointed by the entire incident and that this behavior is not in keeping with the professional standards expected of members of the United States military."
Army Col. Scott Malcom, the chief of public affairs for SOUTHCOM, told National Journal on Saturday that service members would face an investigation for their curfew violation.
Malcom, who said he could not identify the service members or what branch of the military they belonged to, said SOUTHCOM found out about the members' involvment after the "brouhaha" with the Secret Service.
By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although GovExec.com does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.
Is Your Privacy Worth 50 Foiled Terror Plots?
Postal Service Eyes Cuba
Tangherlini As GSA's Mr. Fix-It?
Lew Cleans Up Signature for the Nation's Currency
The Plan to Open More Military Jobs to Women
Should Leaders Ever Lie?
What Big Data Means for TSA & Airport Security
How DHS is Mondernzing Mobile Procurement
Sponsored
Event: Digital Government Success: Meeting the Call for 21st Century Government
Performance Analytics: What It Means for Your Agency
