U.s. Congress Approved Assistance For The Colombian...

Introduction In early 2000, the U.S. Congress approved assistance to the Colombian government. Plan Colombia had clear objectives of; (1) reduce the flow of illicit narcotics and improve security, (2) promote social and economic justice, and (3) promote the rule of law.1 The assistance consisted of providing equipment, training, and financial support to the nation to combat the increase in coca and opium poppy cultivation. As more drugs appear, there has been an increase of other criminal activities including violent crimes and illegal armed groups attempting to control the drug trade. This has appeared to be a threat to the United States security and a possible contributor to terrorism. As of October 2008, the U.S.G. has provided†¦show more content†¦This addiction to substances, whether natural or manufactured, directly results in loss of lives and crime increase throughout the world. Alongside the need or want for drugs, a market is available to move, buy, and sell drugs usually run by small groups of individuals. There have been certain key players in regards to nations that have provided an environment for this market of cultivation and production of substances and trafficking. Often it is due to a lack of a strong government and a weak economy, pushing otherwise hard working, honest people to make a living by other means. Despite Colombia’s relatively strong economy and stab le government, the following introduction of coca from Peru and Bolivia took hold. Colombia became one nation that largely contributed to cocaine and heroin trafficking. A country that initially produced and exported small amounts of cocaine in the early 1970’s now has a major role throughout the world.5 From the beginning of the cultivation process, there is a large impact on the region as well as worldwide. The inevitable expansion of farmland in Colombia and other South American countries has led to rapid deforestation of the rainforests. This has decreased land available for native species of plants and animals as well as a loss in traditional farming space. Following the immediate cultivation of the coca