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Colombia: Drug Wars

Colombia: Drug Wars. By Nas & Steph. History (6 ). Since Colombia gained its (1) independence from Spain in 1819, the country has been plagued by (2) economic inequality and weak governments

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Colombia: Drug Wars

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  1. Colombia: Drug Wars By Nas & Steph

  2. History (6) • Since Colombia gained its (1) independence from Spain in 1819, the country has been plagued by (2) economic inequality and weak governments • (3) Civil war has mainly been fought between the Guerillas and the Paramilitaries, which are unofficial armies • The armies have used the growth, processing, and distribution of the coca leaf (cocaine) to gain more wealth and membership starting in the 1980’s http://www.sweetmarias.com/coffee.southamr.colombia.php

  3. Origins (6) • The War of a Thousand Days was fought between the Liberal and Conservative parties to determine the amount of power that the central government should have • After a short span of peace, a radical Liberal president was elected who passed reforms that angered the conservatives • This new time of war was called La Violencia http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/3537081/Mass-desertions-from-FARC-as-Colombia-government-seeks-to-end-conflict.html

  4. La Violencia(6) • During this time, peasants united in order to fight powerful landowners • These peasants fought in guerilla-style warfare • The Colombian army overpowered these peasants, leading them to flee their homes and form (4) independent republics • Plan LASO (Latin American Security Operation) was used to try and crush the peasant groups • These groups became dedicated to attacking the government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was formed http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/4582404/Indigenous-Colombians-massacred-in-cocaine-region-by-Farc.html

  5. Drugs & The FARC (5) • The illegal drug trade has strengthened the FARC • The FARC protects the drug lords in order to gain wealth and advanced military equipment • The MAS (Muerte a Secuestadores a.k.a. “Death to Kidnappers”) was formed in order to protect the drug lords and their families from kidnapping http://www.zmescience.com/medicine/mind-and-brain/cocaine-rat-study-1002201/

  6. Drugs & The Economy (4) • Today, Colombia produces 80% of the world’s cocaine and 60% of the United States’ heroin • Drug earnings remain a source of income for very few citizens • The economy and (5) infrastructureis constantly challenged by illegal drug trading and violence • The (6) unemployment rate is around 11% and (7) poverty remains a serious issue • The FARC considers themselves (8) Marxist http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=13001.0&autologin=true&AddInterest=1101

  7. Obstacles (6) • The FARC has stated that they will cease their violence if the government addresses their grievances • If the government fumigates the cropland for drugs, nothing will be able to grow and Colombia’s agriculture will be ruined • Due to the FARC’s relationship with the drug lords, the group has better artillery and more money than the government, allowing them to continue fighting http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/2100051/Venezuelas-Hugo-Chavez-ends-support-of-Farc-rebels.html

  8. Recent Developments (2)(3) • Within the past month, the FARC leader Oliver Solarte was killed during an attack on rebel positions near the Colombia/Ecuador border • Colombian President Santos said the death was an “important blow” to the group • Hugo Chavez has also publically announced that Venezuela’s support of the FARC has ended • In recent years, the FARC has lost about half its fighters and many of its top commanders (1) http://wmaracaibo.com/?p=21534

  9. Regional Implications (6) • Because the FARC is so unpredictable, many civilians have been hurt or killed • Even if not physically attacked, Colombians are suffering due to damage inflicted on schools, roads, and sewage systems • Coca farming is illegal, so the farmers use a “slash and burn” technique which pollutes the air • Drug processing labs dump waste into the rivers and streams which people use for drinking water http://www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/shawnsmith/southamerica-05/1127519220/dscn0887.jpg/tpod.html

  10. Global Implications (6) • Coca farming and the destruction of these farms has ruined many rainforests, which contributes to global warming • The independent armies in Colombia have formed ties with many international terrorist groups • Many international citizens depend on Colombia for its drug production, making it extremely difficult for the government to stop the FARC http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0508-01.htm

  11. Possible Solutions • At this point, there does not appear to be a certain solution to the problems in Colombia • Without the drug trade, Colombia’s economy and infrastructure would likely collapse • The only foreseeable solution would be for the Colombian government to kill or arrest all FARC troops– a feat that may prove to be impossible • The government needs strengthening in order to overpower the drug lords http://www.france24.com/en/20081212-colombia-extradites-drug-boss-us-

  12. Correlation to AP Geo • This is a conflict that affects the growth and decline of the Colombian population • It involves human decision-making in the face of regional and global conflicts • This conflict heavily impacts the land and physical environment while also shaping the cultural environment • The FARC conflict also impacts the government and the standard of living in Colombia http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/channel.cfm?channelid=50&contentid=5173

  13. References • BBC. (2011, February 11). Colombia's FARC rebels release two more hostages.      Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/      world-latin-america-12437860 • BBC. (2011, March 15). Colombia FARC 'drug boss' Oliver Solarte killed.      Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/      world-latin-america-12754846 • CNN. (2011, March 16). Colombia military kills FARC leader. Retrieved April 8,      2011, from http://articles.cnn.com/2011-03-16/world/      colombia.farc_1_farc-leader-rebel-leader-drug-trafficking?_s=PM:WORLD • CultureGrams. (2011). Colombia. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from      http://online.culturegrams.com/world/ world_country.php?contid=7&wmn=South_America&cid=35&cn=Colombia • GlobalSecurity.org. (2011). Revolutionary armed forces of Colombia. Retrieved      April 9, 2011, from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/      farc.htm • World Conflicts Today. (n.d.). World Conflicts Today: Colombia. Retrieved April      10, 2011, from http://www.worldconflictstoday.com/ index.php?page_id=231&menu_id=231&page=landing

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