State Department Fact Sheet: Andean Counterdrug Initiative, July 6, 2005

State Department Fact Sheet: Andean Counterdrug Initiative, July 6, 2005

Fact Sheet
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Washington, DC
July 6, 2005

Andean Counterdrug Initiative

Under President Bush’s leadership, $725 million in assistance has been approved for the Andean region in fiscal year 2005. The Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) advances the President’s goal of strengthening democracy, regional stability, and economic development throughout the hemisphere.

Intertwined Problems

The Andes produce virtually all of the world’s cocaine and a significant amount of heroin. Governments in the region seek to combat drug production and trafficking while strengthening democratic institutions, improving their ability to deliver service to their people, creating a more transparent and efficient judicial system, protecting human rights, reducing corruption, and increasing legal employment opportunities. ACI addresses these multifaceted challenges.

Comprehensive, Balanced Approach
ACI sustains support for Colombia, the leading source of drug production and violence, while enhancing support to Colombia’s neighbors to fortify their efforts to preempt spillover from the Colombian conflict.

ACI contains significant assistance to help Bolivia and Peru guard against a resurgence in coca cultivation through interdiction and alternative development programs, and gives a boost to Ecuador’s efforts to gain greater control of its northern border region.

Assistance to Venezuela, Panama and Brazil focuses on border controls, economic development, judicial improvements and counternarcotics assistance.

ACI provides a balance between law enforcement and security programs, and social and economic development. Alternative development, judicial reform, and economic growth projects are also important components of this package.

2005 ACI Funding
(In Millions of Dollars)

Country	Counternarcotics and Security	Economic and Social Development	Total
Bolivia	48,608	41,664	90,272
Brazil	8,928	0	8,928
Colombia	310,694	152,073	462,767
Ecuador	10,912	14,880	25,792
Panama	5,952	0	5,952
Peru	61,504	53,866	115,370
Venezuela	2,976	0	2,976
Air Bridge Denial	11,110	0	11,110
Other	1,984	0	1,984

Grand Total	462,668	262,483	725,151

As of September 20, 2005, this document was also available online at http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/fs/49016.htm