Discuss project "Plan Colombia"; who was involved and what was the outcome?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Plan Colombia is a joint effort by the United States and Colombia to reduce violence and illegal drugs. It began in 1999.
• The United States had long been involved in Colombian affairs, and it stepped up measures in 1999 with a new project "Plan Colombia.".
• The purpose was to move against three different groups: FARC, the National Liberation Army (ELN), and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).
• Like FARC the ELN is a revolutionary group that extends into surrounding countries, and the AUC is composed of underground government officials who terrorize in the name of security.
• The goal of Plan Colombia was to disarm all the groups and to deal with endemic cocaine trade.
• Modern Colombian violence cannot be separated from the production of cocaine.
• Although criminal syndicates in Mexico assumed control of the drug routes to the United States after 2000, Colombia still accounts for the lion's share of cocaine production.
• Opinions about the success of anti-drug efforts are mixed. Officially, the U.S. Department of State (2008) claims that Plan Colombia has been a success.
• Not only have groups been disarmed, but drug production has decreased. Other assessments are not so optimistic.
• Michael Bustamante and Sebastian, argue that Plan Colombia has been a dismal failure.
• Violence has been reduced, but the drug problem remains. It has more to do with demand for cocaine in the United States than internal issues in Colombia.