Colombia: Pastrana to seek more U.S. aid

BOGOTA, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Colombia's new ambassador to the United States, Andres Pastrana, said Tuesday he will ask U.S. officials for more aid for the nation's fight against drugs.

Pastrana, a former president, was named the new mission head earlier this week by current Colombian leader Alvaro Uribe.

Colombia has already received nearly $4 billion in U.S. funding to combat drug trafficking since 2000.

"We need more money," said Pastrana, El Tiempo newspaper reported online.

Pastrana was Colombia's president from 1998 to 2002, when the U.S.-funded anti-drug Plan Colombia was initiated.