Andean Group - February 2012 (ISSN 1741-4466)

The Andean region, in which the three largest cocaine producing countries in the world are located, is at an interesting crossroads: while the US administration of President Barack Obama prepares to cut counter-narcotics and military aid funding (see sidebar), the pro-drug decriminalization/legalization proponents are gaining more adepts. While a significant policy change still seems to be far, far away, a new era of debate and alternative initiatives appears to be dawning. Whether this will result in a massive shift is a moot point; what matters is that for the first time, Latin American presidents in office are calling for government-to-government talks to discuss alternative policies which, until very recently, only former presidents had the political will to promote.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 475 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

• Subscribe
• Sign up for a one-time, 14-day trial