U.S. Support to Plan Colombia: A Heading Check
Abstract
In the 2002 National Security Strategy President George W. Bush envisioned a democratic Western Hemisphere which advances security prosperity opportunity and hope. For some Latin American countries like Colombia these ideals fall quite short of reality. Colombia is plagued by internal problems which restrict its ability to adequately govern its population and territory. For Colombians reality is a poor economy with few available jobs an inefficient judicial system widespread corruption and armed conflict with three insurgent groups operating within the national borders. Colombia's problems are not new. In 1999 Colombian President Andres Pastrana developed a plan to address these challenges and to bring lasting peace and prosperity to Colombia. This strategy known as Plan Colombia was a five year proposal designed to fight the illegal drug trade which finances the insurgent groups strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law expand economic development institute judicial reform protect human rights and reinvigorate the peace process. The total cost for Plan Colombia was $7.5 billion with a significant share of that coming from the U.S. in the form of military economic and humanitarian assistance. U.S. assistance started in FY2OOO. After three years and $2.5 billion of U.S. assistance to Colombia interim results are now available. Based on these results it would be beneficial to reexamine the strategy from two perspectives. First do the interim results indicate progress toward the desired objectives? Second is the progress adequate to bring lasting peace and prosperity to Colombia and if not what else should be done?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423362
Entities
People
- Kevin W. Buckley
Organizations
- United States Army War College