According to a poll by Captura Consulting SRL, 38% of adults in Bolivia are ready to re-elect President Evo Morales in the next presidential election. The cocaleros, or coca farmers, hold President Evo Morales in especially high regard. Why? Evo Morales was once a cocalero himself, and believes he best understands the hardships that face the cocaleros. It follows that he also believes he has the best solution to the cocaine problem in Bolivia, which is his "Coca si, cocaina no" program. "Coca si, cocaina no" allows cocaleros to continue growing coca, which is often the most profitable crop for many Bolivian farmers. However, with "Coca si, cocaina no," all the coca produced must be used legally it may not be sold to produce cocaine.
Of course, no government-instigated program comes without problems. Some of the problems are internal. Children skip school to work on coca farms. Ecologically important old-growth Bolivian forests are being cleared to plant even more coca fields. And, much of the coca produced goes to markets where it can easily end up in questionable hands. At the same time, some of these problems are external, and one concerns the United States. "Coca si, cocaina no" interferes with the United States' "War on Drugs," which seeks to completely eliminate coca production. This puts stress on an already tense international relationship the United States does not exactly smile upon Evo Morales and his close ties with the Castros in Cuba and Chavez in Venezuela. On the other end, Bolivia was not happy to hear about Bush's 2.2 billion-dollar Andean Regional Initiative, which involved use of the U.S. military on Bolivian soil.
So where is the line drawn for the United States when telling Morales how to run his country? It's tough to say, when the U. S. citizens have overwhelmingly bad ratings of President Bush, and the majority of Bolivian citizens believe President Morales has done wonders for their country. It's tough to say, when Bolivia is the world's third largest cocaine producer, behind only Peru and Columbia. And it's tough to say, when the coca production is not only the means of livelihood for many Bolivian farmers, but coca leaves themselves have been culturally important to Bolivia for thousands of years.
Bolivia is not the only country with this kind of conflict with the United States. Afghanistan is facing a similar situation with its ever-expanding poppy fields. Poppy, which is an opiate and the key ingredient in heroin, is a profitable crop for Afghan farmers. Afghanistan produces 90% of the world's heroin from the opiate poppy crop in a trade that hinders democracy and prevents stabilization of the economy. Corruption remains rampant, and the money the United States has sent in aid has not reached its intended destination. Farmers that were promised paved roads and schools for their children in turn for halting poppy growth have received nothing, and see poppy as the only source of financial support.
Although the U.S. has been highly involved in eradication efforts, the efforts have failed. Additionally, the United States is so involved in the country of Afghanistan that there is no doubt it must play a central part in tackling governmental and economic corruption. Poppy fields can be sprayed and promises can be made, but neither will do any good until the corruption is under control. Then, alternatives need to be offered and these alternatives must be profitable for the farmers. Wheat may be the solution. Presently, one kilogram of poppy opium has the same value as four hundred kilograms of wheat. But if a drought-resistant wheat crop can be grown, it may become increasingly profitable - maybe even more profitable than opium poppy - due to the international food crisis.
The United States has a complicated role in foreign affairs, especially in the delicate economic and political situations that face the world in the present day. As an international superpower, the United States is an important influence in finding solutions to drug problems around the world. At the same time, it must be understood that there is not a cure-all, three-step program with a 100% success rate and no price tag. In Bolivia, relations with Morales must be changed for more efficient progress. Across the world in Afghanistan, the vital first step is not eradication of poppy fields, but eradication of corruption. Individual solutions must be formulated for each individual country. When the United States grasps this idea and sets it into action, it will find its proper role in these complex international relations.