US Secret Service scandal eclipses summit

COLOMBIA: A sex scandal involving Secret Service agents on US President Barack Obama's trip to Colombia widened Saturday when American soldiers on the visit were also linked to the use of prostitutes.

Eleven members of the service, known for their robust handling of security for senior members of the US government, were suspended and sent home following allegations of misconduct in the resort city of Cartagena.

Five US military personnel are also being investigated for behavior said to have taken place at the same hotel where the Secret Service staff were staying, and they have been taken off duty and confined to barracks.

Obama arrived late Friday in the Caribbean port of Cartagena, under security lockdown for the Summit of the Americas, but the allegations against the Secret Service and military completely overshadowed the gathering of regional leaders. The misconduct claims were made on Thursday against the Secret Service personnel, who included both special agents and uniformed division officers, though none of them was assigned to Obama's personal security detail.

AFP