Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing coca cultivation in the northeastern region of Catatumbo, an area significantly impacted by rebel violence. The plan seeks to eradicate 25,000 hectares of coca bushes within a span of 140 days, while simultaneously maintaining military pressure on the rebel groups that profit from the narcotics trade.
Compensation for farmers and military operations
During a cabinet meeting, President Petro emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers as they transition from coca to legal agricultural practices. His administration will provide financial compensation to these farmers, encouraging them to voluntarily remove coca crops. The Catatumbo region currently hosts approximately 55,000 hectares of coca plantations, making it one of Colombia’s key cocaine-producing areas.
As part of this initiative, Petro has assured that the Colombian military will continue operations against the rebel factions in the region, which are responsible for various acts of violence and intimidation. Additionally, the government plans to invest in infrastructure improvements to enhance market access for legal crops, thereby fostering economic stability.
“Peace in Colombia depends on the voluntary decision of farmers who grow coca to eradicate their crops,”
Petro noted during the meeting. The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the recent displacement of over 36,000 individuals in Catatumbo due to coordinated attacks by the National Liberation Army (ELN) against civilians suspected of affiliation with rival factions.
Escalating violence and the cocaine trade
This violence has resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 80 lives, leading the Colombian government to suspend peace negotiations with the ELN and to impose a 90-day emergency decree. This decree grants the government temporary authority to limit certain civil rights in the region without congressional oversight.
President Petro has accused the ELN of attempting to gain control over the region to dominate coca production and the illicit drug trafficking routes that stem from it. According to data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Colombia has seen a steady rise in cocaine production since 2013. A recent report from October revealed that coca bush cultivation rose by 10% in 2023, while the potential production of cocaine increased by a staggering 53% compared to the previous year.
Despite a peace accord signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and the FARC, intended to curb coca cultivation, the power vacuum left by the disbanded group has allowed smaller armed factions to emerge and perpetuate the lucrative cocaine market.