Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Rafael Lemaitre / Tom Riley 202–395–6618

November 17, 2003

(Washington, D.C.)—The annual estimates for coca cultivation in Bolivia and Peru are now complete. The estimates were conducted using high resolution and commercial satellite imagery employing survey sampling techniques similar to those used to estimate agricultural crops throughout the United States.

Though there is some local variation, taken together, the Peru/Bolivia estimates show a combined decrease of roughly 1,400 hectares since 2002. While any new cultivation is of concern, the coca crop in Peru and Bolivia remains far below the peak year estimates, which found more than 115,000 hectares in Peru and 54,100 hectares in Bolivia. Even with sustained eradication efforts in Colombia there has not been a net increase in the other two major coca cultivation countries.

Analysis of satellite imagery indicates that as of June, 2003, Peru's coca cultivation is 31,150 hectares, 5,450 less than 2002 levels (36,600 hectares), representing a 15 percent decrease.

Bolivia's coca cultivation is 28,450 hectares, a 17 percent increase over 2002 levels (24,400 hectares). The total increase (4,050 hectares) results from new cultivation in the Yungas area countering successful eradication efforts in the Chapare valley.

As the United Nations noted in their publication Global Illicit Drug Trends 2003, "Of the three countries which supply the world's illicit cocaine, Bolivia has now become an almost marginal source (less than one-tenth of world cocaine production) and Peru has achieved a reduction of about 60 percent in coca cultivation since 1995."

Coupled with last year's dramatic reduction in Colombian coca cultivation, today's estimates show substantial progress throughout the Andes region. Nevertheless, challenges remain. John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy stated, "Given Colombia's extraordinary success in eradicating coca in the past year, cocaine traffickers are desperate for new havens for coca. They must not be allowed to exploit Peru or Bolivia, which have greatly reduced illicit cultivation in recent years. Drug trafficking inevitably brings crime, corruption, and political terror. Once the drug business takes over an area, no legitimate business can compete. Violence and lawlessness prevail until the drug business is driven away."