Stories

Sun, 19 Jul 2026

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't

Colombians who grow cocaine's raw material bemoan a lack of support to help them switch crops.
1. Coca leaf cultivation continues: Despite years of effort, coca leaf cultivation remains a significant problem in Colombia, with many farmers continuing to grow coca as their primary source of income. 2. Demand for cocaine fuels the industry: The ongoing demand for cocaine in the US and Europe drives the continued growth of coca cultivation in Colombia. 3. Security challenges: The security context in Colombia is fragile, making it difficult for substitution programs to operate effectively in many rural areas. 4. Government efforts: The current government has launched a new program called RenHacemos, which aims to build on previous substitution efforts and address their shortcomings by providing more comprehensive support to farmers. 5. Challenges remain: Many analysts are skeptical about the effectiveness of these programs, citing repeated interventions that have not led to lasting change. Some quotes from the article:
* "Coca is a business... It's a criminal enterprise, but it functions like any other business." - Gloria Miranda, director of the government agency in charge of illicit crop substitution.
* "The state has completely abandoned us. We live day to day, sometimes even running out of food." - Juan Perea, a farmer who continues to grow coca due to lack of support from the government. Overall, the article highlights the complexity and challenges involved in addressing the issue of coca leaf cultivation in Colombia, and raises questions about the effectiveness of current efforts to substitute it with other crops.