discussion 1 full page

To begin with, the flow of cocaine into the U.S., the world’s largest market for illegal drugs, has not been reduced significantly as shown in the graph to the left. Second, peasants are arguing that what the U.S. government provides to them in exchange of their giving up coca growing is not enough for them to survive on. Also, they are insisting that they cannot make a living by growing other agricultural crops because they cannot compete with America’s agro-capitalism. Third, the anti-government leftist guerilla forces, which provide military protection to the coca and drug producers, highlight Plan Columbia as an example of U.S. imperialistic design in Latin America, and seek to incite popular support of their cause. And it seems, these guerilla forces are succeeding to a certain extent. Fourth, the government forces are committing serious violation of human rights in the name of preventing coca production and the leftist guerillas cashing in on this enterprise. Lastly, there are environmental concerns over the use of herbicide. Yet, Plan Colombia goes on. Is this right? What do you think?

Before you answer this question, let us get more information on this scheme: “Plan Colombia: Cashing-in on the Drug-War Failure” available in YouTube. This is a fairly long documentary so if you prefer to read about the Plan Colombia, take a look at the following:

‘

Yet Another Drug War Failure’ by Ted Galen Carpenter