Ministry of Interior of Bolivia
We want to express that the President Evo Morales has since 2006 been implementing a counter drug trafficking programme on coca. We have fought drug trafficking with the highest commitment and we have rethought the role of the coca leaf in our First Nations. The policy to eradicate surplus crops based on human rights and the rights of mother earth through self regulation of local producers has taken place. But we have not shied away from the principle of shared responsibility. We have cooperation agreement with a series of countries. We stress the participation of the Special Anti-Drugs Force working to combat drugs. Our Commander Force has also worked on eradicating drugs in respect for human rights.

In 2009, we set up a unit to combat drg trafficking without interference from foreign agencies or states that would breach our sovereignty. Our policy was reflected in increased allocation of budget. We have made significant achievements in combating coca trafficking.

For cannabis seizures, there has been an exponential increase from 2006 to 2009. for cocaine paste, there has also been an increase in seizures (by 226.56%). This shows the efficiency of our policy under Morales compared to the previous government.

Operations at national level show that more people are devoted to drug control efforts. This has increased significantly with President Morales. The trend in coca leaf seizures has also been on the increase. Once we had an agreed rationalisation instead of enforced eradication, we saw significant improvement, with an increase in seizures of other drugs since 2006.

With regards to the reduction of the surplus of coca leaf crops, with the use of social control and local development, this works side by side with consultation and dialogue. We also have to take into account development in the region, we must diversify crops and improve services.

We apply 2 principles – rationalisation with voluntary agreement by producers; and forced eradication in national parks.

There has been a considerable decrease in hectares of coca production in the country.

There have been good development programmes. In 2012, 15,000 families participated in different projects which are still ongoing. In Cochabamba and La Paz, there are many such programmes, which helped reach 10 million Bolivian citizens.

This is 400 times more in investments in coca production areas than during the previous government. We support the reservation made by Bolivia on the 1961 Convention as it helped s make a new policy on coca. As a challenge, we see the improvement of the health and living conditions of the population in Bolivia.