The United States Government certified the anti-narcotics strategy implemented by the Colombian government during 2021which is an essential requirement for 20 percent of the resources allocated by the North American country to Colombia to be disbursed during the term precisely from that year in which the certification is achieved.
The United States Department of State affirmed that Colombia has complied with the implementation of strategies that seek to reduce illicit crops and cocaine production by 50% by 2023without violating the agreements signed with the extinct FARC, for which it decides to certify the country in this matter.
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“I certify that the Government of Colombia has been implementing a national anti-narcotics strategy with the objective of reducing illicit crops and coca production by 50 percent by the year 2023 and that such strategy does not violate the peace agreements that were signed in the year 2016 between the government and the FARC,” said Wendy Sherman, Undersecretary of State of the United States government, in the letter in which she certifies Colombia.
With this document sent by the Department of State to the United States Congress, the disbursement to the Colombian government of 38 million dollars corresponding to fiscal year 2021 will be authorized.
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It should be remembered that a few weeks ago, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, requested $462.8 million in aid for Colombia, in his draft budget for fiscal year 2023, which begins on October 1, 2022 and runs until on September 30, 2023.
According to the document published by the US government, the aid proposal for Colombia is distributed in 175 million for law enforcement and the fight against drug trafficking; $156 million in financial support; and 72 million will be for development assistance.
The certification was also celebrated by Defense Minister Diego Molano who described as valuable the efforts made by the current Government in the fight against drug trafficking:
