Analysis of the United States Policy for Support of Plan Colombia

Abstract

Drug abuse is a major threat to American security, claiming thousands of lives each year. One of the most threatening drugs to law and order in the United States is cocaine, 90% of which comes from Colombia. Drug trafficking in Colombia has become a major source of income, contributing to the destabilization of the economy and also funding a nearly forty year insurgency. Colombia developed Plan Colombia, a $7.5 billion plan, to attack drug trafficking; reform the economic, social and judicial systems; and bring about peace with the insurgents. In July 2000, the United States committed $1.3 billion in a two-year aid package in support of Plan Colombia, signifying changes in U.S. policy. This research paper will analyze the intensity of U.S. interests in Colombia and review the components of the strategy (ends, ways and means) to achieve the U.S. objectives. Additionally, this research paper will assess the U.S. policy in the first six months of execution and make recommendations for changes to that policy in the future.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 26, 2001
Accession Number
ADA389706

Entities

People

  • Roberta A. Woods

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Commerce
  • Criminals
  • Department Of State
  • Drug Abuse
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Governments
  • Judiciary
  • Latin America
  • Law
  • Market Economy
  • Markets
  • Narcotics
  • National Security
  • Police
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
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