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Andean Drug War

President Santos addresses the nation on peace talks. (presidencia.gov.co)
President Santos addresses the nation on peace talks. (presidencia.gov.co)

Colombia, FARC Rebels Set Peace Talks

Is the world's longest-running insurgency coming to an end? The Colombian government and the leftist guerrillas of the FARC have announced their first peace talks in a decade, but that's just the first step.
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00119950214.jpg

Book Review: The FARC

If you're interested in Colombia, coca and cocaine, and leftist guerrilla armies, we have a book for you.
coca plant (UNODC)
coca plant (UNODC)

Colombian Coca Cultivation Ticks Upward

Coca production in Colombia ticked upward last year after four straight years of declines, the UNODC said in a new report. It's still way down from its peak, though.
coca eradication plane spraying herbicides in Colombia (wikimedia.org)
coca eradication plane spraying herbicides in Colombia (wikimedia.org)

Colombia Bill to Decriminalize Drug Crops Advances

A bill that would decriminalize drug crop cultivation in Colombia has passed a first reading in the lower house, but the government opposes it.
group photo at 2009 Summit of the Americas (whitehouse.gov)
group photo at 2009 Summit of the Americas (whitehouse.gov)

Historic Challenge to Drug War Looms at Cartagena Summit [FEATURE]

History is about to be made at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena this weekend. Hemispheric heads of state will discuss alternatives to the drug war and challenge the US prohibitionist model. This could be the beginning of the end.
statues of coca leaves adorn a small town plaza in Peru (photo by author)
statues of coca leaves adorn a small town plaza in Peru (photo by author)

Peru Fires Reformist Drug Czar

Peru's drug czar has been fired for being insufficiently enthusiastic about eradicating coca crops.
fusarium oxysprorum (wikimedia.org)
fusarium oxysprorum (wikimedia.org)

Drug Crop-Killing Fungi Too Risky, Scientists Say

No "Frankenfungi" for the drug warriors just yet -- we don't know enough about the dangers of using mycoherbicides to eradicate drug crops to be doing that, a panel of scientists from the National Research Council says.