Andean Counterdrug Initiative
(USAID-Managed Portion Only)
$ in thousands
FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Andean Counterdrug Initiative 227,836 235,104 226,485 206,900
The Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) account supports a comprehensive strategy to reduce the flow of drugs to the U.S. and prevent instability in the Andean Region. The State Department FY 2007 request of $730.2 million for the ACI includes $206.9 million for alternative development programs managed by USAID. USAID uses ACI funds in the four Andean countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, seeking to change the underlying conditions that lead people to cultivate illicit narcotic crops.
In Bolivia, USAID will use $31 million to continue strengthening the licit economy in coca growing and associated areas. Efforts will increase the market-driven competitiveness of licit rural enterprises, foster more effective, transparent and responsive democratic institutions and processes, and improve basic public services and social conditions. The program provides farmers with licit alternatives as they exit coca through law enforcement, and builds local support for controlling illegal coca.
In Colombia, the $125 million alternative development program will expand licit economic opportunities by promoting social and economic development with the expansion of high-value crop production, support for agribusiness and forestry activities, development of local and international markets for value-added products, and policy and institutional reforms to support program sustainability and increase competitiveness. Funds will also strengthen programs that support democracy, the rule of law, judicial reform, peace initiatives, demobilization and reintegration of illegal armed groups, and assistance for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
In Ecuador, USAID will use $8.4 million to halt the spread of the coca-cocaine economy by providing productive and social infrastructure improving local governance and increasing citizen participation strengthening programs that support democracy and rule of law increasing licit employment and income generation and strengthening vulnerable border communities.
In Peru, a cornerstone of USAID's Alternative Development program will continue to be an integrated package of development assistance designed to ensure the sustainability of the communities' decision to voluntarily eradicate their coca and adopt a licit livelihood. The $42.5 million requested for FY 2007 will further expand and consolidate geographically the successful voluntary eradication of over 11,000 hectares over the last three years, while continuing to support the economic and social development programs that have so far allowed over 44,000 families to choose to live coca-free. Field programs will be reinforced by activities that strengthen the ability of government institutions to establish and implement counternarcotics policies.
In all four of the countries mentioned above, USAID also seeks to generate political will, encourage key behavior change and disseminate accurate information to beneficiaries through a crosscutting communication program.
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