U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Statement Before the House International Relations Committee by the Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

NCJ Number
173229
Author(s)
R R Beers
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This is a March 31, 1998 update on the Clinton Administration's comprehensive counternarcotics program in Colombia.
Abstract
Since the last presentation on this program in July 1997 the Administration's Andean programs reached a point where, for the first time, it appeared possible that they would have a serious impact on the supply of illegal drugs to the United States. The report discusses decreasing coca cultivation in Bolivia and Peru, and the willingness of the Colombian National Police to aggressively attack narcotics trafficking in all its forms. At the same time, however, the United States faces a ruthless, violent enemy in the various drug trafficking organizations that are willing to break any law, violate any nation's sovereignty, and use any means to make a profit at the expense of millions of innocent people. A new U.S. strategy will coordinate efforts by various members of an interagency group and Colombian partners across a broad spectrum of counternarcotics activities. The report details accomplishments and describes the current atmosphere of counternarcotics efforts, the future strategy, and funding.