Eduardo Diaz -Sustitución de cultivos ilicitos 16 de mayo 2018

Abstract

Eduardo Díaz, director of the illicit crop substitution program stemming from the peace agreement with the FARC, provides an assessment one year after its implementation. He highlights the participation of 69,000 families and the progress made in eradicating 36,000 hectares, acknowledging a shortfall compared to the initial goal of 50,000 hectares due to the complexity of the terrain and community mistrust. The main obstacle is security: drug trafficking networks and criminal gangs attack social leaders and communities to protect their illegal profits. He also explains that the increase in illicit crops is due to factors such as the devaluation of the peso, the drop in the price of gold, and the economic expectations surrounding the peace process itself. The program provides each family with 36 million pesos over two years, broken down into a monthly living allowance and resources for productive projects and technical assistance. The plan projects five years to eliminate illicit crops and ten years to consolidate sustainable development. Finally, regarding the change of government, Díaz emphasizes that the communities do not change and trusts that good judgment will prevail so as not to regress towards confrontation or fumigation.