Promoting Peace Combating the Narcotics Industry Reviving the Colombian Economy Strengthening Democracy

Who, Where, When, Why? Proposed by Pastrana 1998 – 1999 Elaborated by the Colombian Government to: End armed conflict Revitalize the economy Develop and anti- narcotics strategy FARC Guerrillas

Original Plan “Plan for Colombia’s Peace” Pastrana’s Proposal Achieve Peace and End Violence Similar to the “Marshall Plan” “Drug crops are a social problem whose solution must pass through the solution to the armed conflict...Developed countries should help us to implement some sort of 'Marshall Plan' for Colombia, which will allow us to develop great investments in the social field, in order to offer our peasants different alternatives to the illicit crops.” 55% military aid, 45% development aid Talks with Clinton on aid in 1999

The New Plan “War on Drugs” American Contribution Combating Drug Trafficking Strengthening the Military, 78.12% of aid in 2000 Campaigns against FARC rebels Support for Police Other International Actors Provide support for social programs

U.S. Assistance – 5 Pillars 1. Support for Human Rights/Judicial Reform 2. Expansion of Counter- Narcotics Operations in Southern Colombia 3. Alternative Economic Development 4. Increased Interdiction 5. Assistance for Colombian National Police

The Original Plan The plan originally required $7.5 billion Colombia was to provide $4.9 billion of it The U.S. under Clinton pledged $1.3 billion in foreign aid, most of it for military use The rest was to be provided by EU donors or NGOs

Problems with Financing The EU was reluctant to contribute because they were uncertain to the plan’s success Other donors disapproved of the military portion of the package, as approved by the U.S. Colombia itself was unable to earmark all that it had planned to because of an economic crisis from

Financing the New Plan With U.S. influence, the final draft of the plan concentrates much more on drug trafficking and training the military Fighting the FARC guerillas is a focus of the plan This is contrary to President Pastrana’s wishes, who recognizes FARC as part of Colombian history and wants to treat them as such Approx. 78% of the U.S. aid package of 2000 focused on counternarcotics and military uses

Funding Allocation As part of the “war on drugs”, the funding goes to uses such as: Training and equipment for Colombian antinarcotics teams Helicopters and transport Intelligence assistance Coca eradication equipment

U.S. Aid to Colombia Source: The Heritage Foundation

Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration Aid is expanded to surrounding countries Worried about expanding drug operations into poor boarder areas Appropriates $676 million for Counter drug Initiative $380 million given directly to Colombia

Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration Civilian contractors now carry military weapons Claim to be protecting personnel and military equipment Funding of social programs in Colombia Crop development, improve human rights, create jobs Congress rejects plan to fund reductions campaigns in the USA Why not curb demand?

Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration – 2004 Appropriated $727 million to Counter Drug Initiative $463 million given directly to Colombia Military Advisors are increased from 400 to 800 people Private contractors are increased from 400 to 600 people

Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration Six years after implementation approximately $4.5 billion has been spent “ Not the end or even the beginning of the end, but possibly the end of the beginning.” - Churchill

Results according to US Government Coca production going down Military Presence increase in Columbia Third largest recipient in US aid US Military in Columbia

Winning the War on Drugs? FARC’s existence in Columbia today US Defense Department study Price increase for cocaine? Just stopping the flow? Balloon effect? Mexico

The Human Rights consequences Straying from original goals Leahy Provision Continuing support despite regime’s record Too much military strength? After Columbian resources?

The Columbian People Turmoil in the country Quasi civil war Aerial fumigation Herbicides on legal crops Providing economic alternatives? Concentration of wealth in upper classes

Questions Should the next administration continue to support the Colombian government as well as the Bush administration has? Should the US be doing more than just sending money? If so, what else should be done? Or should the U.S. discontinue support for the plan? How effective do you think the plan has been, both in Colombia and at home?

Credits This presentation has been brought to you by: Lisa Bothwell Andrea Eisaman Tara Krzyzewski Hrishi Shah