HomeNewsBriefWhat Can Bolivia Teach Post-Conflict Colombia About Coca Reduction?
BRIEF

What Can Bolivia Teach Post-Conflict Colombia About Coca Reduction?

BOLIVIA / 29 MAY 2017 BY DAVID GAGNE EN

A new report by an advocacy group based in Bolivia details how the Andean nation's failed experiences with forced coca eradication can be used as a lesson for Colombia, which is witnessing a surge in cocaine production amid the implementation of a peace deal with the FARC rebel group.  

The report by the Andean Information Network, titled "Lessons from Bolivia," says the peace agreement signed in November 2016 between the Colombian government and rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) "presents an important opportunity" for Colombia to redesign its coca control strategy. The FARC, which was believed to have controlled much of Colombia's coca production, is now concentrated in temporary camps as part of the terms of the peace deal. 

The report argues Colombia should take this opportunity to study alternative models for coca reduction such as the one developed in Bolivia starting in 2005, when former coca farmer Evo Morales was first elected president. 

Under Morales, Bolivia established a system in which registered farmers are allowed to grow a plot of coca consisting of 1,600 square meters, known as a "cato." The amount of coca under cultivation in Bolivia has steadily gone down in recent years, from 30,500 hectares in 2008 to 20,200 hectares in 2015, according to the report.

Previously, the Bolivian government had implemented forced eradication campaigns alongside alternative development programs for coca farmers. But the report notes that these programs, many of which were backed by the US government, did not provide farmers with viable economic alternatives to the coca crops targeted for destruction. This policy ultimately led to violent confrontations between community leaders and the security forces, and did not result in a sustained reduction in coca crops, the report states.

InSight Crime Analysis 

The Bolivian model does indeed provide some important lessons for Colombia, such as the importance of respecting human rights and protecting the livelihood of coca farmers.

But there are key differences between the coca dynamics in Bolivia and Colombia that would likely prevent Colombian authorities from adopting a strategy resembling Bolivia's "cato" policy. Unlike in Bolivia, illegal armed groups in Colombia are fighting for control of coca crops, making it much more difficult -- and dangerous -- for state actors to intervene. And there is not a substantial internal market for traditional uses of coca in Colombia as there is in Bolivia, so it would be hard to determine the legal rationale for government regulation of coca. 

SEE ALSO: Coverage of Coca

There is little doubt, however, that Colombia is in need of either a new strategy or better implementation of its existing approach for containing coca. Cultivation of the crop has soared in recent years and is estimated to have reached 188,000 hectares in 2016, an unprecedented figure. Coca farmers say the government is relying too heavily on forced eradication at the expense of crop substitution programs, leading farmers to carry out numerous demonstrations in an effort to impede the work of eradication teams. Meanwhile, some officials contend organized crime groups are paying the farmers to protest. 

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

COCAINE / 13 APR 2022

The arrest of yet another alleged Sinaloa Cartel emissary in Colombia has once again raised questions about the extent of…

COLOMBIA / 12 MAY 2022

An armed blockade by the Urabeños drug clan that left much of northern Colombia reeling has signaled that the group…

COLOMBIA / 14 JUL 2022

A well-known Colombian fashion designer who sold leather handbags to celebrities will be extradited from Colombia to the United States to…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.