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Latin America: Ecuador Files Complaint Against Colombia for Spraying Coca Fields Near Border

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #530)
Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Isabel Salvador announced Monday that her government has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice (World Court) asking it to order Colombia to stop spraying herbicides on coca fields along its border. The court sits in the Hague.

eradication: much pain, no gain
The move comes as tensions between Ecuador and Colombia remain high over a Colombian military raid last month into Ecuadorian territory that killed a high-level Colombian guerrilla leader, several of his comrades, an unclear number of Mexican students, and possibly, one Ecuadorian citizen.

During a Monday press conference, Salvador said that Ecuador had tried for years to get Colombia to stop spraying near the border and "the diplomatic process was exhausted." There was "overwhelming evidence" that herbicidal spray has crossed into national territory, ''and as a result the health and economics of numerous Ecuadorians have been seriously affected.''

Ecuador will ask the world court to rule that Colombia violated its sovereignty. It seeks an ordered halt to spraying within six miles of the border, as well as damages from Colombia.

Colombia had agreed in late 2005 to suspend spraying near the border, but started up again in December 2006, saying the guerrillas had swarmed into the area. In February of this year, Colombia announced another suspension, saying it would eradicate plants by hand, but Ecuador says it is not sure Colombia would not start spraying again in the future.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

... --> there is a World Government in place, let's take a peek now < -- :

"Ecuador will ask the WORLD COURT To RULE (ha ha ha) that Colombia violated its sovereignty. It seeks an ordered halt to spraying within six miles of the border, as well as damages from Colombia".

"WORLD COURT to rule" and .. " Colombia violated ITS S.O.V.E.R.E.I.G.N.T.Y."

- - What F... sovereignty for any country if is there with a WORLD COURT in place?!!!!!!!! - -

What is seen in the above paragraph SAYS IT ALL but your average reader who has been so put to sleep long ago will just wait for "your next instruction(s)" to act on.

P.S., who do you work for????? ... -- hint

Fri, 04/04/2008 - 12:13am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

This push to eradicate coca is completely backwards thinking. The US should be focusing on the users, not the producers of cocaine. Drugs sell themselves, as long as there are users. Coca is a very important part of Andean culture. The Spaniards tried wiping it out, but look how well they succeeded.

Fri, 04/04/2008 - 11:28pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Hay i do believe they need to stop spraying with certain sprays,most of the big plants have a Bad Taste to them brings quality down,the coast just moves down the line along with price of Gas,Life is really hard yall take care,Rick&kelly

Sat, 06/28/2008 - 7:04pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

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I say they are harassing me and they should stop they are already tring to hold captive.
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MU>SXUX

Sat, 11/01/2008 - 12:14am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

visa v/s master card
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Sat, 11/01/2008 - 12:19am Permalink

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