(3 Sep 2000) Spanish/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton arrives in Colombia later today as he introduces Plan Colombia – the 1.3 (b) billion U-S aid package aimed at fighting narcotraffickers.
Under the plan, 60 combat helicopters will escort fumigation planes and ferry U-S trained anti-narcotics troops into drug producing plantations which cover vast areas of southern Colombia.
But for thousands of farmers the plan is threatening the very thing they depend on to survive – coca, the plant that forms the base of cocaine.
The sun rises over the Caguan River, 280 miles (470 kilometres) from the Colombian capital, Bogota.
Nestled alongside the river is the settlement of Penas Coloradas, a grimy settlement where coca is the economy’s driving force and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – the country’s oldest and largest Marxist guerrilla group.
Farmers here grow coca.
This is FARC territory. The entire process, from the growing of coca to the creation and selling of the final product – cocaine – is monitored by rebels.
Their control here is strict. Liquor sales are forbidden between Monday and Friday. Theft and drunken behaviour are punished.
It’s in their interest to do so. The drugs help finance their 15-thousand strong force, fuelling a civil war which is fast approaching its fourth decade.
Now, the introduction of Plan Colombia is threatening the way of life of these farmers. They are far from grateful for the U-S backed intervention.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"With this Plan Colombia, if there is so much money to be distributed, why don’t they give any of it to the poor? Why don’t they give the poor money if there is so much money to give?"
SUPER CAPTION: Laura, Coca farmer
FARC leaders claim the coming offensive will provide the FARC with an ample recruiting base among farmhands who could lose their livelihoods as a result.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"This is our life. This is our work. Here we all work together, look, behind us, this is how we all survive."
SUPER CAPTION: Fanny, Coca farmer
FARC rebels protect the crops of coca and poppy, from which heroin is made.
They have vowed to fight the Plan.
As two Vietnam-era planes lazily circle these fields ready to dump a load or herbicides onto the plantation, the rebels open fire with their Galil assault rifles.
The crackle of automatic weapons fire splits the afternoon silence.
Plan Colombia will see a dramatic increase in anti-narcotics flights such as these, with more helicopters and planes being provided to the country.
But rather than back away in fear of the promised increase, FARC rebels have vowed to increase kidnappings – a longtime source of income for the group – in order to raise funds to equal the Plan.
Meanwhile, the growing and selling of coca continues.
In this simple shack by the side of the river farmers bring their cultivation of coca to be weighed, tested, and bought.
This coca paste – a semi processed form of cocaine – will be sold on to international markets – generating millions of dollars.
Coca farmers insist they have no choice.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I have a family. What I earn goes to my mother, my wife. (Q) So it’s from necessity. (A) Of course, it’s from necessity, if I didn’t have to I wouldn’t do it."
SUPER CAPTION: Coca farmer
For the farmers in Penas Coloradas as in much of the rest of impoverished, rural Colombia, there are few viable alternatives to making a living than growing coca.
Only about a tenth of the U-S aid plan will provide funds for alternative development projects.
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