CPTnet
16 December 2006
COLOMBIA: Aerial Fumigations-- "I Wish the Pilots Were More Intelligent"
by Michele Braley
Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Secretary of State, I hereby
determine and certify that: (1) the herbicide mixture used for fumigation of
illicit crops in Colombia is being used in accordance with EPA label
requirements--; and (2) the herbicide --does not pose unreasonable risks or
adverse effects to humans or the environment--; (3) that complaints of harm
to health or licit crops--are evaluated and fair compensation is being
paid--; and (4) that programs are being implemented -- in consultation with
local communities, to provide alternative sources of income--for
small-acreage growers whose illicit crops are targeted for fumigation.
Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State in the 2006 Certification of Aerial
Eradication of Illicit Coca and Opium Poppy (1)
Recently, CPTers Julián Gutiérrez Castaño and Michele Braley toured
farm fields for three days in Corcovado in the Bolivar Department. They
witnessed and documented the impact of efforts to eradicate coca through
aerial fumigation under Plan Colombia (2.) Farmers showed Gutiérrez and
Braley their crops of yucca, corn and plantain damaged by fumigation, some
next to houses and rivers, and small fields of unfumigated coca.
A farmer showed Gutiérrez and Braley a photograph of a plane flying over a
nearby house with a plume of herbicide trailing behind. Farmers spoke of
the foul odor that accompanied the fumigation and of the many people who
have become ill with headaches, fevers and stomach complaints.
In October when CPTers Joel Klassen and Nils Dybvig talked informally with
fumigation pilots at a Barrancabermeja swimming pool, the pilots said that
farmers know the process for making complaints, because radio and newspapers
publicize this process (3.) However, the farmers in Corcovado were unaware
of a complaint process. The pilots also said they know where to spray
because coca plants are low to the ground and light green, easily
recognizable among the mostly dark green vegetation. Yet, Gutiérrez and
Braley saw palm trees more than twenty feet tall that had been sprayed while
nearby coca plants remained unharmed. "I wish the pilots were more
intelligent," remarked one farmer.
Mr. Castillo grows coca as one of the crops on his small farm. Many farmers
told CPTers that "growing coca is good business" and provides food for their
families since the price paid for coca is higher than that for licit crops.
Mr. Castillo pays "taxes" to the paramilitary and guerrillas for growing
coca. If he stops growing coca, these illegal armed groups will increase
his "taxes" to coerce him into continuing coca cultivation. For now, Mr.
Castillo chooses the threat of fumigation over the threat posed by the armed
groups in his community.
Despite the economic benefits, many in the community do not support the
growing of coca, but they understand the dilemma of their neighbors. One
farmer remarked, "Fumigation isn't the answer, economic development is the
answer." How long will this community wait for the alternative development
programs the Secretary of State has promised every year since 2002 in the
certification of aerial fumigation?
(1) U.S. Department of State
http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/rpt/aeicc/c18686.htm
(2) Photos of the trip are available http://www.cpt.org/gallery
(3) Procedures for Handling Claims of Colombian Citizens That Their Health
Was Harmed or Their Licit Agricultural Crops Were Damaged by Aerial
Eradication http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/rpt/aeicc/13242.htm
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