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| La Paz, Bolivia, home to over 800,000 Bolivians. |
Over the past decade Bolivians have witnessed polarizing coca plant policies that affect coca farmers, anti-drug organizations, politicians in the nation as well as the global community. The plant that the indigenous Bolivian population, especially rural farmers, have considered a commonplace aspect of their religious practices has
come under international scrutiny. Underlying the traditional uses of the coca plant such as teas and pastes is the much darker international cocaine trade that has taken precedence in the world's view of this plant. While many, including coca farmers known as
cocaleros, along with the incumbent president Evo Morales, agree that it is the right of the indigenous population to grow the plant for traditional uses, the international community and the UN think otherwise. There exists a controversial mixture of freedoms, economic incentives and as a byproduct, international political conflicts involved in this issue that have inspired a closer look into Bolivia's coca production. Sources for this episode of Country Files come from the BBC news site as well as Freedom House and the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Bolivia is a land-locked nation in South America with a rich cultural heritage founded on a diverse indigenous population. With a population of close to 10 million (EIU), Bolivia has one of the largest indigenous populations in South America. Bolivia suffers from both poverty and corruption which adds a strong dose of controversy to the production of the coca plant. Beginning in 1961, the UN classified the coca leaf as a Schedule I drug with no medicinal benefits yet Evo Morales has consistently fought to repeal this standing. He argues that the coca leaf, not cocaine, helps alleviate fatigue and is okay to use in teas or as an herb. Prior to Morales' presidency, in the years of the Banzer administration, coca production was
decreased with the aid of the United States. The successes in coca leaf eradication was short lived as production shifted to other parts of the nation. During the years of strong eradication efforts against coca production came strong opposition from the indigenous majority that eventually elected Evo Morales into power. His stance has been reported to be anti-cocaine yet pro-coca leaf. While this stance holds justification in the rights of these indigenous farmers and their religious practices, the Economist Intelligence Unit as well as reporters on this issue note that
cocaine production has increased with the relaxing of coca leaf laws.
The Bolivian government has utilized inconsistent strategies to try and limit coca leaf production. In 2008, Evo Morales suspended the U.S. anti-drug organizations based in Bolivia and has consistently argued that the drug war is fueled by North America's attempt at controlling Latin America. However, Morales has also passed laws that limit the amounts of legal coca production yet these laws have little effect. The past month has even seen
strong protests from the cocaleros as they work hard to maintain their crop. Knowing that the coca leaf is much more lucrative to grow than other crops such as bananas and rice, Evo Morales has been working to establish economic incentives for the poor farmers. Yet since 2000, the EIU has noted that when the economy of Bolivia is facing a downtrend, the poor farmers begin producing more coca leaf for illegal drug smugglers (please see EIU reports for 2003). Despite the increase in cocaine production stemming from Bolivia, Evo Morales hopes to change the image of the coca leaf. In 2007, the Morales Administration was able to
pass a proposal that would not allow companies to use the word "coca" in their products. Recently, a new product has come out of Bolivia known as "Coca Colla" which is an energy drink that uses the coca leaf as a main ingredient. Even in the face of laws meant to lower production, we see companies such as Red Bull Cola and Coca Cola
continuing to use the coca leaf in their products. What is remarkable is how despite promoting the new Coca Colla drink, Evo Morales has had to switch aid in the drug war from the U.S. to Russia and Brazil. Not only is the cocaine trade growing in Bolivia, it is quoted as the only sector experiencing strong growth. Drug raiders are also seeing more sophisticated methods of conversion from the coca leaf to cocaine. Among the growing business surrounding cocaine production, is increasing violence from drug gangs. Reporters warn that the drug wars that happened in Colombia and are happening in Mexico could soon hit Bolivia. While Evo Morales is a voice for the indigenous population that are trying to maintain their cultural traditions, it is time that the administration focuses its view of the coca leaf.
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| Taken from BBC News Site |
A strong question is whether or not the Bolivian farmers have a right to grow the coca leaf. Bolivia is a strikingly poor nation and it is almost inevitable that farmers will pass the surplus coca plants not used in religious practices and for drinks, over to the drug dealers. In 2001, it is important to note that Bolivian farmers rejected an offer of $900 each a year to grow other products instead of the coca leaf. Bolivian farmers must recognize that once drug smugglers begin invading their nation, it is like a virus. They may outwardly argue that the plant has been theirs for centuries, yet we still see large amounts of cocaine being exported from Bolivia. Estimates of coca production state that farmers consistently produce more than the legal amounts and it is time that Evo Morales holds himself accountable for these crimes. While he also states that his attempts at improving the image of the coca leaf are meant to allow farmers to begin legally selling coca based products. Once farmers can sell these herbs and medicines on the market, Morales believes that cocaine production will decrease. Logically, this is simply not true.
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| Taken from BBC News Site |
More coca leaf means more cocaine. More inconsistent views of the plant means more drug smugglers and the potential for more crime and violence. It is not realistic to consider cocaine a drug that should be legalized and it is therefore logical that cocaine production stop at the source. Yet the proposal of this blogger is that instead of investing money towards anti-drug efforts, money should be invested in helping Bolivian farmers out of poverty. There should be stronger incentives established for growing food crops and this should be a responsibility of the international community since cocaine usage is a global problem not restricted to Bolivian borders. Instead of just criticizing the nation from abroad, the UN should work to end the need for farmers to maintain surplus coca leaf for drug dealers. The potential for violence in Bolivia is strong and cocaine has always had an infamous history. This potential problem must be addressed because of its ability to be prevented. The UN should not address issues once they have escalated to violence and Bolivia and Bolivian indigenous farmers deserve to recognize this immediately.
Bolivia is a land-locked nation in South America with a rich cultural heritage founded on a diverse indigenous population. With a population of close to 10 million (EIU), Bolivia has one of the largest indigenous populations in South America. Bolivia suffers from both poverty and corruption which adds a strong dose of controversy to the production of the coca plant. Beginning in 1961, the UN classified the coca leaf as a Schedule I drug with no medicinal benefits yet Evo Morales has consistently fought to repeal this standing. He argues that the coca leaf, not cocaine, helps alleviate fatigue and is okay to use in teas or as an herb. Prior to Morales' presidency, in the years of the Banzer administration, coca production was decreased with the aid of the United States. The successes in coca leaf eradication was short lived as production shifted to other parts of the nation. During the years of strong eradication efforts against coca production came strong opposition from the indigenous majority that eventually elected Evo Morales into power. His stance has been reported to be anti-cocaine yet pro-coca leaf. While this stance holds justification in the rights of these indigenous farmers and their religious practices, the Economist Intelligence Unit as well as reporters on this issue note that cocaine production has increased with the relaxing of coca leaf laws.
The Bolivian government has utilized inconsistent strategies to try and limit coca leaf production. In 2008, Evo Morales suspended the U.S. anti-drug organizations based in Bolivia and has consistently argued that the drug war is fueled by North America's attempt at controlling Latin America. However, Morales has also passed laws that limit the amounts of legal coca production yet these laws have little effect. The past month has even seen strong protests from the cocaleros as they work hard to maintain their crop. Knowing that the coca leaf is much more lucrative to grow than other crops such as bananas and rice, Evo Morales has been working to establish economic incentives for the poor farmers. Yet since 2000, the EIU has noted that when the economy of Bolivia is facing a downtrend, the poor farmers begin producing more coca leaf for illegal drug smugglers (please see EIU reports for 2003). Despite the increase in cocaine production stemming from Bolivia, Evo Morales hopes to change the image of the coca leaf. In 2007, the Morales Administration was able to pass a proposal that would not allow companies to use the word "coca" in their products. Recently, a new product has come out of Bolivia known as "Coca Colla" which is an energy drink that uses the coca leaf as a main ingredient. Even in the face of laws meant to lower production, we see companies such as Red Bull Cola and Coca Cola continuing to use the coca leaf in their products. What is remarkable is how despite promoting the new Coca Colla drink, Evo Morales has had to switch aid in the drug war from the U.S. to Russia and Brazil. Not only is the cocaine trade growing in Bolivia, it is quoted as the only sector experiencing strong growth. Drug raiders are also seeing more sophisticated methods of conversion from the coca leaf to cocaine. Among the growing business surrounding cocaine production, is increasing violence from drug gangs. Reporters warn that the drug wars that happened in Colombia and are happening in Mexico could soon hit Bolivia. While Evo Morales is a voice for the indigenous population that are trying to maintain their cultural traditions, it is time that the administration focuses its view of the coca leaf.
Consumers of the drug around the world also should work on their demand for the product. Supporting use of cocaine, unless you know exactly where it came from, is supporting a disastrous industry.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that consumption should go down, cocaine's addictive properties make that difficult. I feel as though the billions spent globally on stopping consumption could be put to much better use in helping these poor nations where evidence shows that price incentives work at deterring growth of the coca plant on land that could be used for other purposes.
ReplyDeleteThis issue is one that is very dividing among economic classes. The poor tend to realize what it is like to be put in a position where drastic measures are hard to avoid. In this case, the drastic measures being the production of a crop that is used illegally by millions worldwide. The more affluent global citizens will likely write these farmers off as detestable criminals that deserve immense imprisonment. I sympathize with these farmers and agree that the foreign nations criticizing the Bolivian’s lack of trade regulation actually do something to help.
ReplyDeleteI was most fascinated with the international aspect of this story. Globally, coca is used to make cocaine– a hard drug outlawed by most countries to date. Within the borders of Bolivia, however, the coca leaf is often used to brew teas as an important tradition. Tribal groups, religious sects, and other assemblies believe that the crop is a vital component of observed beliefs and traditional values. Although the adverse health effects of the plant is quite clear, especially in powder form, should external nations have a say in the ritual observances of an independent nation. In this case, I believe they should because the world would be a much safer place without cocaine. However, condemnation and chastisement does not constitute progress. As you suggest, the international community should work in accordance with the Bolivian government and coca leaf farmers to eliminate the growing of this harmful plant. Perhaps more economic incentives should be provided to farmers that do not cultivate and sell coca leafs.