April 3, 2002 Summary
The Colombian government has identified 162 new drug-trafficking organizations with ties to more than 40 major international criminal syndicates worldwide. Such a proliferation means that even with increased U.S. military support for Colombia's battle against drug-connected rebel groups, the illegal narcotics trade in that country will continue as usual.
Analysis
Drug kingpins have been rising and falling in Colombia for more than 30 years, but the narcotics trade just keeps on growing, diversifying and adapting.
The Colombian government has identified 162 new drug-trafficking organizations with ties to more than 40 major international criminal syndicates worldwide. Such a proliferation means that even with increased U.S. military support for Colombia's battle against drug-connected rebel groups, the illegal narcotics trade in that country will continue as usual.
Analysis
Drug kingpins have been rising and falling in Colombia for more than 30 years, but the narcotics trade just keeps on growing, diversifying and adapting.
Less than a decade after the feared Medellin, Cali and Atlantic Coast cocaine cartels were dismantled, the Colombian government has confirmed the existence of 162 new drug-trafficking organizations, which have 4,060 known members and ties to more than 40 major international criminal syndicates throughout the world, according to the Bogota daily El Tiempo.
The report comes after U.S. President George W. Bush's recent call for the U.S. Congress to increase military aid to Colombia -- which produces more than 90 percent of the world's cocaine -- on top of the $2 billion in counter-drug assistance Washington has provided since 2000.
The report comes after U.S. President George W. Bush's recent call for the U.S. Congress to increase military aid to Colombia -- which produces more than 90 percent of the world's cocaine -- on top of the $2 billion in counter-drug assistance Washington has provided since 2000.
The proliferation of so many trafficking groups indicates that the Bush administration's plans will likely not achieve any lasting or significant results in terms of eradicating coca and poppy cultivation and shutting down the illegal drug industry.
Although the Colombian army will continue its U.S.-backed offensive to decimate the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, which currently dominates the upstream coca trade in southeastern Colombia, control of the illegal drug trade simply will pass into new criminal hands. Increased U.S. military aid to Colombia may cripple the FARC's ability to profit from cocaine and heroin, but the export of these drugs in growing quantities will continue without pause.
Although the Colombian army will continue its U.S.-backed offensive to decimate the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, which currently dominates the upstream coca trade in southeastern Colombia, control of the illegal drug trade simply will pass into new criminal hands. Increased U.S. military aid to Colombia may cripple the FARC's ability to profit from cocaine and heroin, but the export of these drugs in growing quantities will continue without pause.