The
Cons of Plan Colombia
according
to its critics
Because
of the idealistic nature of the plan, many of the "pros" are loyal to the
ideals, while the "cons" are criticizing the reality of implementing the
strategies and the further repurcussions of the methods.
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The U.S. contribution,
making up the centerpiece of the plan, is aimed primarily at military and
police increase when most agree that the problems Colombia faces are social,
political, and economic in nature.
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The people living
in southern regions of Colombia, especially in Putumayo, are vulnerable
to severe health dangers from the extensive herbicides being sprayed over
the areas to eradicate coca crops.
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Although a noble
aim, cultivation of alternative crops in southern Colombia would be very
difficult to make competitive. Soil is suitable for rainforest ecosystems
and coca plants, but too shallow and acidic for other, legal types of plants.
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Plan caters to selective
business interests more than to human rights. (see article)
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Although the plan
may help further the process of globalization, it is questionable whether
this will actually benefit most citizens of the country. In other
Latin American countries, globalization has had a destabilizing effect.
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The privatization
of state-owned companies will lead to layoffs, increasing the already high
unemployment rate. In addition, the government will be forced to cut back
on spending which will inevitably decrease the amount of help it is able
to give the new mass of unemployed workers.
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U.S. motives could
be tied to oil interests and not to virtuous necessity to help those in
need (see article)
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The Colombian military
is closely tied with the paramililtaries which tax the peasants growing
coca to fund their activities. The government is unwilling to address
the paramilitaries as a threat to progress and peace.