Combatting the production and trafficking of illicit drugs – closely linked to rural violence and political instability – is a major challenge for Colombia in its post conflict era. The Colombian government led by President Juan Manuel Santos has taken a dual approach, promoting the substitution of illegal crops through state subsidies for farmers while maintaining a programme of forced coca eradication. The crop substitution strategy has been enthusiastically received by rural communities but has so far fallen short of its ambitious target to eradicate 50,000 hectares (ha) of illegal crops by May 2018. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), by 31 January 2018 the policy had resulted in the eradication of just 16,754ha.End of preview - This article contains approximately 1061 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options