U.S. says coca production is rising in Bolivia

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A top U.S. anti-drug official says coca production in Bolivia is still rising despite government efforts to eradicate coca fields, says this Associated Press report from La Paz.

The State Department’s top drug enforcement officer, Assistant Secretary David Johnson, says Bolivia’s eradication efforts have been creative and have reached the goals set by the government.

But Johnson said Tuesday after meeting with President Evo Morales that ‘coca production continues to rise by significant quantities’ despite these efforts.

Coca is the main ingredient in cocaine, but also has traditional uses in Andean nations.

In 2006, Morales implemented a program to eradicate 12,355 acres (5,000 hectares) of coca a year. But this eradication has been accompanied by new cultivation elsewhere.

-- Reed Johnson in Mexico City