Drug Control: U.S.-Supported Efforts in Colombia and Bolivia
NSIAD-89-24
Published: Nov 01, 1988. Publicly Released: Nov 01, 1988.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO evaluated the scope, purpose, and effectiveness of U.S. narcotics control efforts in Colombia and Bolivia.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should instruct the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters to: (1) ensure that eradication aircraft are used during the entire day and to spray early in the marijuana growing cycle; (2) increase U.S. monitoring of marijuana eradication activities; (3) encourage Colombian officials to establish aircraft maintenance standards; (4) improve aircraft spare parts inventory management policies and procedures; and (5) request the government of Colombia to use all of its resources, including its military force, more effectively in the fight against drug production and trafficking. |
State and Columbia conducted an extensive aerial reconnaissance effort in 1989. State has encouraged Columbia to conduct additional spraying against marijuana. Colombia has adopted internationally recognized aircraft maintenance standards, and has initiated an all out campaign against narcotics traffickers.
|
| Department of State | To obtain greater participation in the narcotics control effort, the Secretary of State should encourage the government of Bolivia to: (1) improve the effectiveness of Bolivia's narcotics special police force; and (2) provide additional support for narcotics interdiction and enforcement activities. Such support does not have to be strictly financial, because several requirements for in-kind logistical support can be provided by elements of the government of Bolivia at little or no additional cost. |
Under the President's Andean Initiative, the United States is providing Bolivia with increased drug-related assistance. On May 9, 1990, the United States and Bolivia signed a series of bilateral narcotics control agreements. One of them outlines increased Bolivian participation in the war on drugs.
|
| Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters | The Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters should: (1) issue clear guidelines on the responsibility for conducting program and project evaluations; (2) establish an evaluation schedule; and (3) establish procedures to ensure that scheduled evaluations are performed. |
An evaluation plan for 1992 was established and 12 evaluations have been conducted. The evaluation plan for fiscal year 1993 also calls for 12 evaluations. The agency is in the process of hiring additional staff to increase evaluation efforts.
|
| Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters | The Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters should initiate a review of procedures for accounting for cash advances and ensure that proper control of advances are instituted and maintained. |
A U.S. procurement specialist was added to the staff and now directs U.S. purchases in Bolivia. Procedures for monitoring and accounting for cash advances for all INM posts have been issued. A copy is being retained in the NSIAD job file.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should instruct the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters to increase U.S. monitoring of marijuana eradication activities. |
A computerized flight tracking system is in operation.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should instruct the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters to encourage Colombian officials to establish aircraft maintenance standards. |
According to the Department of State, the survey of maintenance and logistics requirements has been completed and the Colombians have now adopted internationally recognized aircraft maintenance standards.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should instruct the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters to improve aircraft spare parts inventory management policies and procedures. |
An automated inventory management system is in operation. Colombian inventory computers are linked to the Embassy.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should instruct the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics Matters to request the government of Colombia to use all of its resources, including its military force, more effectively in the fight against drug production and trafficking. |
In August 1989, the President of Colombia initiated an all out campaign against narcotics traffickers. This has included the mobilization of all of Colombia's resources and the provision of $65 million in emergency military assistance by the United States.
|
Full Report
Public Inquiries
Topics
AircraftDrug traffickingExtraditionFederal aid to foreign countriesForeign governmentsInternational agreementsLaw enforcementNarcoticsProgram evaluationTreaties