NCJ Number
134255
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This testimony reports on two recent U.S. General Accounting Office studies of U.S.-sponsored counternarcotics programs in Colombia and Peru.
Abstract
In 1989 President Bush approved the Andean Strategy which included an increase in military, law enforcement, and economic aid to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. These three countries account for almost all of the cocaine that enters the United States. The General Accounting Office evaluated the effectiveness and management of antidrug programs in Colombia and Peru. Although U.S. officials are working to improve program management in Colombia, the monitoring of the use of U.S. aid is not sufficient. Consequently, there is little assurance that the aid is being used effectively and as intended. Although human rights continue to be abused in Colombia, the United States and the Colombian governments are taking actions to improve the human rights performance of the military and the police. Overall, the United States has made more progress in implementing the Andean Strategy in Colombia than in Peru because of the Colombian government's commitment to combat drug trafficking. U.S. counternarcotics programs in Peru have not been effective, and it is unlikely that they will be until Peru overcomes serious obstacles beyond U.S. control. These obstacles include Peru's inability to maintain effective government control over military and police units, a lack of coordination and cooperation between military and police, failure to control airports, and an economy heavily dependent on coca leaf production.