Last Fall, the U.S. Congress changed the law that limited American personnel assisting the Colombian government in the war on drugs. There could now be 1,400 Americans down there, instead of the previous 800. But the Colombians have been so successful in their battles against rebels and drug gangs, that only a few hundred additional American troops and civilian contractors have been sent south. The American troops and civilians serve mainly as advisors for  intelligence and logistical operations supporting the 17,000 Colombian troops in  Joint Task Force Omega. This outfit specializes in going into the jungles and mountains to fight rebels and drug gangs. You don't hear much about  Joint Task Force Omega, but it is the key military organization in the successful battle against FARC, ELN, AUC and the drug cartels. The Venezuelan troops are well trained and led, partly because of the efforts of American military and civilian trainers. American technical experts help operate electronic equipment used to track enemy movements.