Colombia: Gateway to Defeating Transnational Hell in the Western Hemisphere
Abstract
Colombia is host to the transnational threats of insurgency, terrorism, illicit drugs, kidnapping, money laundering, and human trafficking. These transnational threats cannot be neutralized without U.S. assistance. The United States has a national interest in Colombia because the illicit drugs from there are destroying large numbers of U.S. citizens and are funding international terror groups. Colombia is an important trading partner to the United States with $11 billion in trade; it supplies 10 percent of U.S. oil and 80 percent of the U.S. cut flower market. Plan Colombia has recently experienced success under the leadership of President Uribe. In a post 9/11 world, Colombia must be assisted in permanently restoring its security, and must be prevented from becoming a failed state to ensure regional stability. The link between illicit drugs and terror groups has been validated. The United States should increase assistance to Colombia, including authorization for the judicious use of U.S. combat power. (26 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 19, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA424390
Entities
People
- Stephen P. Weiler
Organizations
- United States Army War College