U.S. Ambassador to Peru Brian A. Nichols stressed Peru leads the fight against drug trafficking in Latin America as a result of coca leaf eradication and the interdiction of chemical inputs, among other measures.
“Last year was a landmark year, several records were broken for coca leaf eradication, interdiction of chemical inputs, and control of cocaine ready for export, so Peru is the leader in the region,” he told Andina news agency.
Ambassador Nichols said Peru and the United States are moving forward toward eradication of coca leaves, having cleared 25,000 hectares so far this year, which is why he believes last year’s figures will be surpassed.
“We fervently hope we will break the record of 31,000 hectares eradicated last year,” he affirmed.
According to the last report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), issued in Vienna in June, Peru led the reduction of coca cultivation area, overtaking Bolivia.
The United Sates supports the Peru's National Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judiciary, and Sunat to compact drug trafficking and promote alternative development.
He recalled a Cocoa Hall was recently launched at Expoalimentaria Fair seeking to show the achievements made in implementing alternative development programs to fight against illicit coca cultivation.
As for the recently passed Law on Aerial Interdiction, Nichols said the United States analyzes the new scenario and will submit an opinion later. He reaffirmed that both nations are “allies and friends” against drug trafficking.
“Peru is firmly committed to act not only within its territory, but at the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations (UN); we are working closely to maintain a solid global policy (against drug trafficking),” he pointed out.
(END) MDV/FHG/RMB
Published: 8/29/2015