Plan ColombiaPromoting PeaceCombating the Narcotics IndustryReviving the Colombian EconomyStrengthening Democracy
Introduction
Who, Where, When, Why?Proposed by Pastrana
1998 – 1999Elaborated by the
Colombian Government to:End armed conflictRevitalize the economyDevelop and anti-
narcotics strategyFARC Guerrillas
Original Plan“Plan for Colombia’s Peace”
Pastrana’s Proposal Achieve Peace and End ViolenceSimilar to the “Marshall Plan”
“Drug crops are a social problem whose solution must pass through the solution to the armed conflict...Developed countries should help us to implement some sort of 'Marshall Plan' for Colombia, which will allow us to develop great investments in the social field, in order to offer our peasants different alternatives to the illicit crops.”
55% military aid, 45% development aidTalks with Clinton on aid in 1999
The New Plan“War on Drugs”American Contribution
Combating Drug Trafficking
Strengthening the Military, 78.12% of aid in 2000
Campaigns against FARC rebels
Support for PoliceOther International Actors
Provide support for social programs
U.S. Assistance – 5 Pillars1. Support for Human
Rights/Judicial Reform
2. Expansion of Counter-Narcotics Operations in Southern Colombia
3. Alternative Economic Development
4. Increased Interdiction
5. Assistance for Colombian National Police
Financing the Plan
The Original PlanThe plan originally
required $7.5 billionColombia was to
provide $4.9 billion of it
The U.S. under Clinton pledged $1.3 billion in foreign aid, most of it for military use
The rest was to be provided by EU donors or NGOs
51%
32%
16%1%
Where the Money Goes
Social DevelopmentFighting Drug TradeEconomic RevitalizationNegotiate solution with guerillas
Problems with FinancingThe EU was reluctant to
contribute because they were uncertain to the plan’s success
Other donors disapproved of the military portion of the package, as approved by the U.S.
Colombia itself was unable to earmark all that it had planned to because of an economic crisis from 1999-2001
Financing the New PlanWith U.S. influence, the final
draft of the plan concentrates much more on drug trafficking and training the military
Fighting the FARC guerillas is a focus of the plan
This is contrary to President Pastrana’s wishes, who recognizes FARC as part of Colombian history and wants to treat them as such
Approx. 78% of the U.S. aid package of 2000 focused on counternarcotics and military uses
Funding AllocationAs part of the “war on
drugs”, the funding goes to uses such as:Training and
equipment for Colombian antinarcotics teams
Helicopters and transport
Intelligence assistanceCoca eradication
equipment
U.S. Aid to ColombiaIn Millions
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005 (est.)
2006 (req.)
Military/Police 54.
188.6 112.
4309.2
765.5 243.0
401.9
620.0
555.0
641.6 641.1
Economic/Social 0.7 0.0 0.5 8.8 214.
35.7 120.
3136.7
135.0
131.3
138.5
% Military 99.
9100 99.5 97.4 78.1 97.7 77.0 82.0 80.4 83.0 82.2
Source: The Heritage Foundation
The Plan Under the Bush Administration
Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration- 2001Aid is expanded to
surrounding countries Worried about expanding
drug operations into poor boarder areas
Appropriates $676 million for Counter drug Initiative
$380 million given directly to Colombia
Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration - 2001Civilian contractors now
carry military weapons Claim to be protecting
personnel and military equipment
Funding of social programs in Colombia
Crop development, improve human rights, create jobs
Congress rejects plan to fund reductions campaigns in the USA
Why not curb demand?
Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration – 2004Appropriated $727
million to Counter Drug Initiative
$463 million given directly to Colombia
Military Advisors are increased from 400 to 800 people
Private contractors are increased from 400 to 600 people
Plan Colombia Under the Bush Administration - 2005Six years after
implementation
approximately $4.5 billion has been spent
“Not the end or even the beginning of the end, but possibly the end of the beginning.” - Churchill
Criticisms
Results according to US GovernmentCoca production
going downMilitary Presence
increase in Columbia
Third largest recipient in US aid
US Military in Columbia
Winning the War on Drugs?FARC’s existence in Columbia today
US Defense Department studyPrice increase for cocaine?
Just stopping the flow?Balloon effect?
Mexico
The Human Rights consequencesStraying from
original goalsLeahy ProvisionContinuing support
despite regime’s record
Too much military strength?
After Columbian resources?
The Columbian PeopleTurmoil in the
countryQuasi civil war
Aerial fumigationHerbicides on legal
cropsProviding economic
alternatives?Concentration of
wealth in upper classes
Questions Should the next administration continue to
support the Colombian government as well as the Bush administration has?
Should the US be doing more than just sending money? If so, what else should be done? Or should the U.S. discontinue support for the plan?
How effective do you think the plan has been, both in Colombia and at home?
CreditsThis presentation has been brought to you
by:Lisa BothwellAndrea EisamanTara Krzyzewski Hrishi Shah