Colombain Drug Cartels
Plan Colombia
In the late 20th century, Colombia has been a haven for violence, social unrest, and illegal drug trafficking prompted by uneven development throughout the country. In 1984, the election of a new president sparked violence in Colombia, leading to the assassination of the minister of justice. The very apparent inadequacy of the government to control violent attacks was made obvious to the drug cartels, who then used this weakness in government to gain political influence with bribery, threats, and political contributions. Colombia’s isolated landscape abated the ever growing drug production. It’s location in the northwest corner of South America allowed drug shipments to be easily be made to the United States or Europe. From the production and economy of cocaine to the notorious cartels, large amounts of drugs imported into the US, and Colombian and US efforts against the drug war; Colombia is a germane subject in our history. The location and loopholes in the Colombian government make the country a thriving place for illegal drug activity.
In the 1990’s, coca production was a small-scale business operation; imported from Bolivia and Peru, Colombia was not engaging in much of the growing. As eradication efforts by Bolivia and Peru’s government grew stronger, less and less of the coca plant was being imported into Colombia. In 1996, Colombia surpassed Peru and Bolivia in being the major producers of coca. Colombia was previously created 13% of the world’s cocaine intake, but now the cartels are responsible for 70-80% of the cocaine (Kirk 15)
Colombian farmers grow the coca leaf plant on private farms with other small produce. Then, very easily make the leaf into a coca paste, in which drug traffickers will come directly to their house and buy in cash. Growing the coca plant is a very attractive alternative to other produce because drug traffickers come directly to the farms and the farmers do not have to transport their products. Coca farms are
In the late 20th century, Colombia has been a haven for violence, social unrest, and illegal drug trafficking prompted by uneven development throughout the country. In 1984, the election of a new president sparked violence in Colombia, leading to the assassination of the minister of justice. The very apparent inadequacy of the government to control violent attacks was made obvious to the drug cartels, who then used this weakness in government to gain political influence with bribery, threats, and political contributions. Colombia’s isolated landscape abated the ever growing drug production. It’s location in the northwest corner of South America allowed drug shipments to be easily be made to the United States or Europe. From the production and economy of cocaine to the notorious cartels, large amounts of drugs imported into the US, and Colombian and US efforts against the drug war; Colombia is a germane subject in our history. The location and loopholes in the Colombian government make the country a thriving place for illegal drug activity.
In the 1990’s, coca production was a small-scale business operation; imported from Bolivia and Peru, Colombia was not engaging in much of the growing. As eradication efforts by Bolivia and Peru’s government grew stronger, less and less of the coca plant was being imported into Colombia. In 1996, Colombia surpassed Peru and Bolivia in being the major producers of coca. Colombia was previously created 13% of the world’s cocaine intake, but now the cartels are responsible for 70-80% of the cocaine (Kirk 15)
Colombian farmers grow the coca leaf plant on private farms with other small produce. Then, very easily make the leaf into a coca paste, in which drug traffickers will come directly to their house and buy in cash. Growing the coca plant is a very attractive alternative to other produce because drug traffickers come directly to the farms and the farmers do not have to transport their products. Coca farms are