Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and Related Funding Programs: FY2006 Assistance

Publication Date: January 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

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Abstract:

In 2005, Congress considered a number of issues relating to the Andean region and drug trafficking, including continued funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and conditions on U.S. assistance. In addition to ACI, Andean countries benefit from Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds, and other types of economic aid. Congress continues to express concern with the volume of drugs readily available in the United States and elsewhere in the world. The three largest producers of cocaine are Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. Ninety percent of the cocaine in the United States originates in, or passes through, Colombia.

The United States has made a significant commitment of funds and material support to help Colombia and the Andean region fight drug trafficking since the development of Plan Colombia in 1999. From FY2000 through FY2005, the United States has provided a total of about $5.4 billion for the region in both State Department and Defense Department counternarcotics funds. The United States also provides funding for Development Assistance (DA), Child Survival and Health (CSH), and Economic Support Funds (ESF) to some countries in the region. Since 2002, Congress has granted expanded authority to use counternarcotics funds for a unified campaign to fight both drug trafficking and terrorist organizations in Colombia. Three illegally armed groups in Colombia participate in drug production and trafficking, and have been designated foreign terrorist organizations by the State Department. In 2004, Congress also increased the level of U.S. military and civilian contractor personnel allowed to be deployed in Colombia, in response to an Administration request.

For FY2006, Congress approved the Administration's request for $734.5 million for ACI in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (H.R. 3057/P.L. 109-102). As part of the requested amount for ACI, the Administration had requested $21 million for the Air Bridge Denial Program; Congress provided $14 million. The request also included $40 million for a Critical Flight Safety Program that is described as the first installment of a multi-year program to upgrade and refurbish aircraft used for eradication and interdiction missions. Congress provided $30 million.

In the House, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2601) was passed with provisions relating to the demobilization process, tax code enforcement in Colombia, and the transfer of aircraft to the Colombian Navy. The Senate did not finish consideration of its version (S. 600). It would authorize funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative and includes a number of conditions on assistance consistent with current law. The FY2006 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1815, P.L. 109-163) authorized funds for Defense Department interdiction activities.

This report will not be updated. For further information, see CRS Report RL32774, Plan Colombia: A Progress Report; CRS Report RL32250, Colombia: Issues for Congress; and CRS Report RL32337, Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and Related Funding Programs: FY2005 Assistance.