Plan Colombia

From SSDPedia

The term Plan Colombia refers to U.S. legislation that is aimed at stopping drug smuggling, specifically cocaine, into the United States, by supporting different Drug War activities in Colombia. The idea stemmed from Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango between 1998 and 1999. The legislation has been controversial for a few key reasons, the most controversial being the use of aerial fumigation to eradicate the coca plants. The issue with this is the damage the herbicides will cause to legal crops, as well as the effects it will have on the human population pertaining to their health.

In 2000, President Clinton supported Plan Columbia by committing $1.3 billion in foreign aid, as well as 500 military personnel to train Columbian forces. The $1.3 billion was an addition to the already approved $330 million. This made Columbia the third largest recipient of foreign aid from the United States in 2000. The United States sees Plan Columbia as a part of it's War on Drugs.

Under President George W. Bush, and supported by the current "Drug Czar" John Walters, the program expanded, and around $380 million was to be sent to Columbia. In 2004, another $463 million was given to Columbia, as well as the number of military advisors increasing from 400 to 800 and that of private contractors from 400 to 600.