Colombia Weather

So when I met with Mexican officials, when I was just in Mexico, they continue to work. Actually, we have a delegation from the U.S. and Mexico that are meeting right now this week to work on refining some of the estimates, both to target and better eradicate, and as well as to provide better estimates we're trying to work on. But the reason for this increase last year was good weather. But the good work of people kept that from being a more bountiful effect. ...

We had an estimate last year of increases in, for example, marijuana production from Mexico that were quite dramatic, as I said. Attribution was for the -- was because of the unusually good weather for all crops in these areas that caused growth to be greater, even though there had been greater eradication. ... [Read More]

America's Heroin Crisis

As ONDCP correctly points out in their testimony, targeting the opium poppy crop is a complex and costly proposition, and it is important to highlight the difficulties we confront in opium poppy eradication. Poppy is grown in well-hidden, widely dispersed fields in rugged cloud-covered mountains, often defended by FARC or paramilitary groups. Reconnaissance and spraying of the poppy crop is significantly dangerous, as tragically illustrated by the October 23 crash (due to bad weather) of a Colombian National Police helicopter. Four people died on board this routine reconnaissance mission. Also, spray planes have been hit by ground fire, including three at the end of November on the same day. For the same factors -– hidden small fields, wide dispersion, mountain terrain, bad weather, and growing areas far from coca zones -- supporting poppy spraying requires spending approximately three times the resources per hectare as spraying coca. ... [Read More]

Plan Colombia and the Andean Regional Initiative

The timing of spray operations in Putumayo was based on a number of factors. Some were operational concerns, such as seasonal weather conditions. The timing of operations was also meant to discourage the return of an itinerant labor pool (coca leaf pickers or "raspachines") who generally spend the December holidays at their homes in other parts of the country. Importantly, the timing also corresponded with efforts to recruit communities to enroll in development programs. While the intent of the Colombian Government to conduct eradication in southern Colombia was well publicized, coca growing communities in the region initially showed little interest in participating in development programs, preferring instead to continue their illicit activity. Only after those initial spray efforts in Putumayo, which demonstrated the Government of Colombia’s resolve to address the growing problem of coca cultivation in the region, did these communities express real interest in abandoning their illegal ... [Read More]

Memorandum of Justification Concerning the Aerial Eradication of Coca and Opium Poppy in Colombia

After consultations with the Department of State in 2003, EPA offered the following assessment of human health concerns related to the spraying of coca and opium poppy in Colombia: “As for human health concerns, EPA concludes there are no risks of concern from dietary, mixer/loader/applicator or field workers, or bystanders (including children). The concerns for mixer/loader eye irritation discussed in the Agency’s 2002 findings have been mitigated by switching to the lower toxicity product” (Attachment 3, Executive Summary, p. ii). EPA also concluded that the eradication program lowered its potential risks to wildlife and takes appropriate measures to minimize off target drift: “EPA concludes that the switch to a lower toxicity product will pose less risk of acute poisoning to wildlife. The Agency believes that the potential for spray drift phytotoxicity is still a factor for both coca and poppy spraying. EPA recognizes that the Departm ... [Read More]

Andean Regional Initiative

The timing of spray operations in Putumayo was based on a number of factors. Some were operational concerns, such as seasonal weather conditions. The timing of operations was also meant to discourage the return of an itinerant labor pool (coca leaf pickers or "raspachines") who generally spend the December holidays at their homes in other parts of the country. Importantly, the timing also corresponded with efforts to recruit communities to enroll in development programs. While the intent of the Colombian Government to conduct eradication in southern Colombia was well publicized, coca growing communities in the region initially showed little interest in participating in development programs, preferring instead to continue their illicit activity. Only after those initial spray efforts in Putumayo, which demonstrated the Government of Colombia’s resolve to address the growing problem of coca cultivation in the region, did these communities express real interest in abandoning ... [Read More]

E) South America

In 2001, CADA (the Ministry of Interior mapping and measuring agency) began mapping opium poppy cultivation to determine the extent of the problem. Because of weather and terrain problems, additional resources and technology will be required to pinpoint cultivation areas. CADA had also begun to survey farms in the Huallaga Valley to collect agricultural and socioeconomic information to assist the GOP in negotiating additional coca reductions. ...

The DIRAN Air Service also began taking strides toward building up its forward operating bases around the country, with the goal of decentralizing its operations and creating a more efficient and flexible response to counternarcotics mission needs. With assistance from the United States, planning has continued apace for the construction of infrastructure at several bases around Colombia. In November, the DIRAN named commanders for the new bases. The United States will install an instrument landing system at two forward bases and a precision approach path indicator at another; these systems will assist DIRAN and armed forces pilots in landing aircraft under difficult weather conditions. In addition, the United States is building a modern fixed-wing hangar at the DIRAN Air Service’s El Dorado Base in Bogotá. ... [Read More]

Outline of Spray Pilot Semi-Annual Briefing

Weather Awareness for Spraying ... [Read More]

Policy and Program Developments

What We Know With Less Certainty. How much of a finished product a given area will produce is difficult to estimate. Small changes in factors such as soil fertility, weather, farming techniques, and disease can produce widely varying results from year to year and place to place. To add to our uncertainty, most illicit drug crop areas are not easily accessible to the United States Government, making scientific information difficult to obtain. Therefore, we are estimating the potential crop available for harvest. Not all of these estimates allow for losses, which could represent up to a third or more of a crop in some areas for some harvests. The value in estimating the size of the potential crop is to provide a consistent basis for a comparative analysis from year to year. ... [Read More]

Renewal of the Andean Trade Preferences Act

Peru's market oriented economic reforms in the 1990's tackled inflation and produced strong economic growth form 1994-1997. Since 1998, however, the adverse El Niño weather phenomenon, the emerging financial crisis and political instability have battered the economy. Although real GDP expanded 1.4 percent in 1999 and 3.6 percent in 2000, political turmoil over the last year has discouraged foreign investment; GDP contracted in the first half of 2001. ... [Read More]