Situation
The General Director of Corpoamazonia, the regional office of the Minister
of the Environment for the Amazon region of Colombia, temporarily suspended
the aerial spraying of illicit crops in the southern departments of Caqueta
and Putumayo as of March 16, 200. According to Law 99 from 1993
Corpoamazonia has as its duty activities of control and monitoring
environmental issues. Together with the local authorities such as Mayors
and Governors of the departments of Amazonas, Caqueta and Putumayo charged
with the task of addressing the effects of the spraying missions, they have
concluded the following:
An alarming number of complaints by residents of the region have been
made with respect to the aerial spraying. Small plots of land which are
primarily engaged in the cultivation of subsistence food crops have been
adversely affected by the spraying. There is grave concern for the health
of the residents of the region in particular for peasants and indigenous
people in the rural areas. Evidence has been gathered concerning the
pollution and environmental degradation of the headwaters of the region and
of the Colombian rainforest.
Directors of Corpoamazonia have requested in writing that the Colombian
National Drug Advisory Board inform them of the results of the follow-up
investigation of the chemical sprayings. To date, they have received word
of actions taken in the area but the results of the investigation have not
been made available to the public.
According to reports from small farmers, indigenous groups, and other
citizens, it is apparent that the technical parameters for the spraying are
not being complied with. The constitutional rights of personal integrity,
health, and access to food are being violated as subsistence food crops are
destroyed along with the illicit crops.
The indigenous communities made a public statement in opposition which
spoke to their complete rejection of the eradication of agricultural crops
and the total absence of feasible development alternatives.
The governors and mayors of the departments of Amazonas, Caqueta and
Putumayo met in Leticia, Colombia in February of this year. They expressed
their concern for the reported social and environmental effects of the
aerial spraying. They proposed to the national government that the
following actions be taken:
The suspension of aerial spraying in the departments of Amazonas,
Caqueta, and Putumayo and the development of alternative crop substitution
with the goal of economic recovery.
Redirecting of funds allocated for Plan Colombia to the affected
areas, as part of a comprehensive plan for social investment to be
developed by the Colombian Council for Economic and Social Policy.
Strenghtening of the peace process and achievement of a
negotiated settlement to the armed conflict .
Corpoamazonia requests the preservation, conservation, and recovery of the
Colombian rainforest. They recommend reforestation, recuperation of the
soils degraded through spraying and the recovery of streams and rivers that
have been affected by the leaching of waste products from the processing of
cocaine.
|
What you should do
We request that you write or call the individuals named to the right with the following requests:
- Support of Corpoamazonia's suspension of aerial spraying
- Development of economic alternatives to the cultivation of illicit crops.
- Recovery and preservation of the Colombian rainforest and headwaters.
- Support for a negotiated solution to the armed conflict.
|
Direct your faxes or calls to
|