USA warned the president Gustavo Petro this Tuesday that he must proceed with “caution” before carrying out his proposal of sreplace coca crops by others but gradually.
(Read here: Does the Petro government comply with Court orders on glyphosate with a new decree?)
In addition, Washington indicated that, in any case, an immediate transition from one strategy to another should not be made and that forced eradication should continue as long as there is no viable crop substitution program.
(See also: Gustavo Petro proposes gradual substitution of coca crops)
“We warn the Petro administration against the immediate transition from a forced eradication strategy to a voluntary one to control the growth of illicit crops,” a spokesperson for the Petro said to EL TIEMPO. Department of State.
It remains important to have a fully funded and well designed substitution program before moving to (voluntary) substitution as the primary means of crop control
According to the spokesperson, “it remains important to have a fully funded and well-designed substitution program before moving to (voluntary) substitution as the primary means of crop control. Forced eradication is continuing so far and is expected to continue as long as a viable crop substitution program is developed”.
According to the official, USA will continue to work closely with Colombia “to implement a holistic approach to address counternarcotics challenges. This includes efforts in comprehensive rural security, justice and development, environmental protection, and integrated drug supply reduction. By starting this process, the use of all technically and financially viable tools remains essential to achieve the President’s commitment to prevent the growth of coca cultivation”.
The official also mentioned that they are grateful that Colombia continues to comply with its international commitments, “including international drug control treaties and the norms established by UN conventions.”
Here much importance is attached to eradication and the idea that this process must continue without being conditioned to the fact that alternative crops are working.
Last week, during a meeting with growers at the catatumbor, Petro introduced the proposal of gradual eradication of cropsalleging that the peasants could not be eliminated from their means of support (coca crops) until the substitute crops began to bear fruit.
In accordance with michael shifterformer president of the Inter-American Dialogue and Georgetown professor, this proposal will not go down well in Washington. “Here much importance is given to eradication and the idea that this process should continue without being conditioned by the fact that alternative crops are working. Among other things because these can take a long time and meanwhile a lot of coca will continue to be produced Shifter says.
Although the tone in the response of USA was measured, it was evident that there is a serious discrepancy and even a veiled threat. According to the State Department, forced eradication should continue and only become voluntary when a successful crop substitution program already exists.
In addition, highlighting that Colombia complies with its international commitments in the fight against drugs would also suggest that abandoning forced eradication prematurely could be seen as non-compliance.
SERGIO GOMEZ MASERI
EL TIEMPO correspondent
Washington
On Twitter @sergom68
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