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Colombian drug cartels blamed for the destruction of rainforest

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2009481/Colombian-drug-cartels-blamed-...

NewsColombian drug cartels blamed for the destruction of rainforest
Drug cultivation is the biggest cause of deforestation in Colombia with 741,000 acres of rainforest cleared every year, the country's vice-president has said.

By David Blair, Diplomatic Editor
Last Updated: 2:50AM BST 23 May 2008

Aerial spraying destroys everything, forcing Colombia's peasant farmers to move to new land and clear more forest
So far, Colombia's coca producers have destroyed 5.5 million acres of rainforest – an area larger than Wales – with slash and burn cultivation.

About half a ton of pesticides, fertilisers, sulphuric acid and other chemicals are then used to turn every acre of coca into pure cocaine.

Francisco Santos Calderon, the vice-president of Colombia, told The Daily Telegraph that the environmental "devastation" caused by drug producers had gone largely unnoticed. The loss of rainforest was the hidden consequence of buying cocaine in Europe or America.

Mr Santos said: "This destruction of the rainforest for coca production and coca plantation has gone on under the radar of the environmentalists. We hope that this will be a wake-up call. We hope that the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace will start saying 'what is this?' "

Colombia is the world's largest producer of raw coca, with about 700 tons emerging from its forests each year, according to official figures. Mr Santos believes that the figure is actually a lot higher. "I think they are underestimating the amount of cocaine in the market," he said.

The drug cartels buy coca from Colombia's peasant farmers for about £250 per pound. After being refined into cocaine, the same quantity can then be sold for about £15,000 in Europe.

The favoured smuggling route has changed dramatically. Once, most narcotics were sent north to the Caribbean for onward shipment to Europe. Today, Colombia's cocaine is sent to neighbouring Venezuela and then across the Atlantic to West Africa.

A string of tiny countries along the African coast, notably Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Guinea-Conakry, are rapidly becoming narco-states. Incapable of policing their coastlines or airspace, these countries are convenient staging posts for trafficking drugs to Europe. "It's a huge change and it has happened very quickly and I think more changes are to come," said Mr Santos.

He pointed out that West Africa's climate was ideal for growing coca. "I have no doubt that in five years, you're going to see production [in West Africa]," he said. "In countries that have such weak institutions, it's going to be a mess."

But Colombia's controversial, US-funded policy of eradicating coca fields is also inflicting immense environmental damage. Last year, the authorities destroyed about 400,000 acres, mostly with indiscriminate aerial spraying.

Colombia's peasant farmers grow coca alongside normal food crops. Aerial spraying destroys everything, forcing them to move to new land and clear more forest.

Mr Santos, 46, urged Europe to help the farmers by reforming the Common Agricultural Policy.

"If our farmers and our peasants were able to export to the European Union without the tariffs and without the barriers, we would have a farming sector that would be more competitive and a lot of peasants would not go into drug-growing," he said.
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By mariacvetanoski on Aug 22, 2008, 13:47 in Friendly Talkzone.

quantum says on Aug 22, 2008, 15:10:

mariacv,
very important information in this article. But tell me please, realistically, what other crop could Colombian peasants grow that would pay anything close to what pays a pound of cocoa? But for me the most important point it brings out is the futility and damage of the joint U.S. Colombian govt. policy of eradication by spraying. Any numbskull would have to be able to recognize that this would have evitable horrible consequences. Better to live with the cocoa than the poisons unleashed on the environment by the spraying. Pick yur poison!

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manINred says on Aug 22, 2008, 18:44:

Yes, that'll be nice for the true murderous crooks. Partial destruction of the rainforest can definitely be attributed to drug cartels...

but by far and away the biggest crooks are the massive North American and European oil companies who scummily destroy local communities and vast areas of the amazon with their pipelines and oil-searching.

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rhydewithdis says on Aug 22, 2008, 19:06:

Only organic cocoa for me.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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poco says on Aug 22, 2008, 19:23:

Quote: but by far and away the biggest crooks are the massive North American and European oil companies who scummily destroy local communities and vast areas of the amazon with their pipelines and oil-searching.
-------------------------
Right,, just look at how tough things are in the U.A.E. (Dubai).

Delivery of new A-380

First Class Bar (There are also 14 private suites)

Colombia on the other hand has the latest indoor plumbing. Easy to install.

Easy to use

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

2 funny, 1 helpful.

manINred says on Aug 22, 2008, 19:39:

That does not refute my point.

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quantum says on Aug 22, 2008, 19:44:

Good for a laff Poco, but dont forget, the U.A.E isnt fortunate enuff to have rainforest. Its not something they have to worry about. South America has got the lungs of the earth......

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poco says on Aug 22, 2008, 19:47:

Quote: That does not refute my point.
==========

Try out your point on someone who hasn't worked in the oil business for 40 years.

Colombia is shooting themselves in the foot.

Try this:
http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/a-natural-disaster-wrought-by-dr...

or this

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/smugglers-said-decimating-colomb...

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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manINred says on Aug 22, 2008, 20:26:

It still doesn't refute my point. Yes, crop growers have eliminated 2,5 million hectares of rainforest, but what about the other estimated 700 million hectares?

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mariacvetanoski says on Aug 25, 2008, 07:13:

poco , that is FUNNY!
Quantum , agree with you- there are no other crops in colombia that would match coco-
however - there are other talents colombians can do such as reggaetone, dance salsa, bands, play musical instruments and so on- check out the new album out by Daddy Yankee called Talento De Barrio - awesome CD! it is about talent in the BARRIO- the movie is coming out soon as well... go to www.daddyyankee.com

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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