President George W. Bush has asked for $741.7 million to be allocated for aid
to Colombia for the 2006 fiscal year. Assistance for military and police programs
accounts for 80 percent of this budget, while the remaining 20 percent is allocated
to economic and social programs. Bush says the money is intended to combat drug
trafficking, but those who oppose the United State’s so-called "War
on Drugs" in South America argue that the funding filters into the hands
of corrupt officials and supports paramilitary death squads.
Militarization of the region as a result of the Colombian and U.S. governments’ Plan
Colombia initiative against drug trafficking has resulted in the deaths and
displacement of thousands of indigenous peoples and forced others to join military
groups. Plan Colombia is scheduled to expire in September, but Bush’s
current aid package is being designated for the Andean Counter-Drug Initiative,
which has no expiration date.
