Text: U.S. Drug Control Experts Observe Rise in Colombian Coca Cultivation

An analysis of satellite imagery indicates that the amount of land in Colombia currently used for coca cultivation stands at 169,800 hectares, according to a press release issued March 7 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). This figure represents an increase of 33,600 hectares over the 2000 level.

While noting that one-third of this increase is due to the inclusion of an area not surveyed in 2000 because of cloud cover, and that the figure includes coca later destroyed by aerial eradication, the ONDCP nevertheless called the increase in coca cultivation "troubling."

"The figures underscore the pervasiveness of [illicit crop] cultivation and [drug] trafficking in Colombia; the magnitude and complexity of Colombia's interlocking security, drug control, and economic challenges; and the need for sustained U.S. engagement," the ONDCP said.

The ONDCP added that while U.S. counter-narcotics and development assistance to Colombia "have not yet produced the results we had hoped to achieve," the United States will continue to work with the Colombian government to attain mutual goals such as strengthening democracy, eliminating drug trafficking, and enforcing the rule of law. Following is the text of the ONDCP press release:

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OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY

Thursday, March 7, 2002

COCA CULTIVATION IN COLOMBIA, 2001

Washington, D.C. -- The annual estimate for coca cultivation in Colombia has been completed. Analysis of satellite imagery indicates that Colombia's coca cultivation is 169,800 hectares, 33,600 hectares more than 2000 levels. One-third of the increase is due to the inclusion of an area that was not surveyed in 2000 because of cloud cover. Also, coca killed by aerial eradication operations conducted after the satellite photographs were taken was counted as live coca in the estimate.

Nonetheless, the increase in cultivation is troubling. The figures underscore the pervasiveness of cultivation and trafficking in Colombia; the magnitude and complexity of Colombia's interlocking security, drug control, and economic challenges; and the need for sustained U.S. engagement. We have a robust assistance program to Colombia to help meet these challenges, including projects to support police and military professionalization; eradication, interdiction, and alternative development; and judicial reform and social and economic development.

Although the full complement of counter-drug and development resources is still arriving in Colombia, we recognize that our efforts to date have not yet produced the results we had hoped to achieve. The security environment in Colombian drug cultivation regions has made it difficult to implement counter-drug programs. We will continue to work with the government of Colombia to achieve our mutual objectives of strengthening democracy, eliminating drug trafficking, and enforcing the rule of law. We also believe that our renewed effort to drive down the demand for illegal drugs in the United States will have a beneficial effect on the situation in Colombia. We will review our strategy to ensure it is effective in the current environment.

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