Colombia has suffered the most from the global problem of drug trafficking. He said the proceeds of the narco trade are the fuel igniting the country's 37-year civil conflict. A Canadian official said Canada would consider deepening its trade relationship with Colombia but did not commit to a free trade deal. Mr. Pastrana, who yesterday also met with George W. Bush, the U.S. President, requested the United States give more trade benefits to his nation to help citizens convert from illegal drug activities to legal businesses.
Critics also say there is no proof crop spraying is effective.
Despite defoliation efforts, coca cultivation has increased tenfold in Colombia from 15,000 hectares 10 years ago to 150,000 hectares today. More than one million hectares of rain forest has been cut down in the last few years by coca farmers. The Andean region is also suffering the effects of Colombia's war as drugs and internally displaced people flood across the borders. Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama have been critical of the U.S. military assistance and yesterday presented Mr. Bush with a counter-proposal to help Colombia and the region resolve their problems.