Sunday, May 17, 2015

Defying U.S., Colombia Halts Aerial Spraying of Crops Used to Make Cocaine

In the article “Defying U.S., Colombia Halts Aerial Spraying of Crops Used to Make Cocaine” the main topic is how Colombia just decided to stop spraying fields with pesticides because it was found that the chemical probably causes cancer. The drug prevention agency in Colombia has been using U.S. aide to help fight the war on drugs for over two decades. But a previously supreme court ruling in Colombia said that if there was ever evidence that the chemical can cause cancer, then they would stop using it. The chemical, glyphosate, is also a key ingredient in the weed killer, Round Up. The agency that sprays the crops with the pesticides says it is sad to give up their tools, but have no choice. What this means for the U.S. is cocaine will become more affordable and accessible because they main way of combating cocaine (pesticides) can no longer be used, thus creating more plants. Even though the U.S. wants Colombia to keep spraying, the U.S. will have to come up with a different strategy to fight the war on drugs so it can keep one of its’ biggest allies in Latin America, Colombia.



By Josh Hubbs

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/15/world/americas/colombia-halts-us-backed-spraying-of-illegal-coca-crops.html?_r=0

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