The Obama administration said Tuesday that gains made in the war against drugs in Colombia were “entirely reversible without continued United States support” and affirmed its continued aid, with the release by the White House of a five-year drug control strategy
The plan is “part of a multi-year strategy” through which the U.S. will “transfer operational and funding responsibility for counter-narcotics and security programs to the Colombian government.”
The U.S. praised the Colombian security forces in expanding into areas “long dominated by coca production and illegally armed groups” which “allowed the Colombian government, for the first time, to focus on establishing government presence and integrated rural development in these areas.”
The startegy aims to expand “governance in conflict areas so that all Colombians have access to government services, protection from terrorist or criminal groups, and a licit manner in which to earn a living.”
The White House report also outlined successes of Plan Colombia, which the U.S. describes as “one of the largest and most comprehensive efforts by the United States to assist an ally in Latin America with a national drug emergency.”
According to the plan, cocaine “potential production” has dropped from 485 metric tons per year in 2007 to 295 metric tons in 2008, representing a 39% decrease.
Over the past ten years kidnappings were down 95%, terrorist attacks dropped by 79% and there was a 44% reduction in homicides, the report claims.
Finally the U.S. stated that “a multi-year investment in terms of financial resources and political comittment” was required to “address the complex and longstanding challenges” of the problem.
