ONDCP FACT SHEET
Bilateral Cooperation with Bolivia
Overview:
Bolivia has achieved remarkable counternarcotics successes over the past half decade, including a 70 percent reduction in coca cultivation between 1995 and 2001. This achievement, which is the result of sustained eradication and law-enforcement efforts, reduced potential cocaine production in Bolivia from 240 metric tons in 1995 to 60 metric tons in 2001, a reduction of 75 percent.
As of the end of 2001, only 4,000 hectares of coca cultivation were identified in the Chapare region - once one of the world's major suppliers of this illegal drug. The successful interdiction of many essential chemicals have raised the prices of these substances and forced Bolivian lab operators to use inferior substitutes and recycled solvents. The result has been radically diminished cocaine purity: a record low of 47 percent. This has all been achieved in spite of protests organized by radical groups opposing coca eradication. Bolivia, even considering some of its remaining challenges, has provided a model for successful supply reduction efforts in South America.
The Importance of Maintaining Momentum:
Although the progress made in the past 5 years in Bolivia has been dramatic, it is important that the Bolivian government remains focused on finishing the job. A limiting factor in Bolivia's continued success against illegal coca cultivation will be the government's ability to work with the coca producers in the Yungas region.
The Yungas is the traditional licit coca growing region of Bolivia. Yungas coca has been used for centuries in coca tea and for chewing, which provides a mild stimulant effect similar to caffeine. However, in recent years coca produced in this region for licit purposes has been diverted to the illicit market. According to Bolivian law 1008, 12,000 hectares can be produced for licit purposes, but 15,300 hectares have been detected. In early summer 2001 government eradication planned to enter the Yungas to eradicate these illicit hectares. However the Government Task Force was beset by coca grower protests and road blocks and was forced to turn back. The Government of Bolivia intends to delay eradication efforts and to attempt to target illicit production through enhanced interdiction and alternative development programs.
The Keys to Bolivia's Success:
From a high of 33,900 hectares of coca fields in the Chapare in 1994, the government reduced cultivation to 5,400 hectares by June 2001. The key to this success was an effective program of eradication, alternative development, stricter drug laws, and an intense precursor chemical interdiction program. Bolivia's example shows how essential strong government leadership is in combating the narcotics problem.
Next Steps:
The Bolivian government intends to leave a portion of its Joint Task Force in the Chapare to monitor the region, maintain security, and eradicate any regrown or residual coca. So far, the eradication process in the Chapare has outpaced the spread of alternative development, and the U.S. will provide aid to help accelerate the pace of development programs. Reducing the small amount of illicit coca in the Yungas may be difficult, but greater interdiction efforts, linked with targeted alternative development programs hold promise.
The U.S. Government looks forward to working closely with President Jorge Quiroqa, who was sworn into office on August 8, 2001, after the resignation of Hugo Banzer due to illness. While serving as Vice President Mr. Quiroga played a major role in coordinating counter-drug policy. He, along with President Banzer, deserve credit for Bolivia's great successes
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Additional Information/Links:
1. A detailed profile of the situation in Bolivia can be found in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report http://www.state.gov/g/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2000/index.cfm?docid=883. Scroll down to the Bolivia heading. The Organization of American States has an excellent website on Bolivian counterdrug activities, with documents, information on government programs, and recent legislation. It can be accessed from the OAS website at http://www.oas.org. Choose "Drug Control" from the menu in the upper right. On the next page, choose what language you would like it to be viewed in and choose "Member States" on the page that appears next. A list of countries will appear. Choose "Bolivia" to access the site.
Last updated: March 2002.
