Plan Colombia: Cashing In on the Drug War Failure

A look into the US government’s costly and ineffective battle against the Colombian narcotics trade, financed by the US taxpayer.

Colombia’s chaotic situation on the ground involves impoverished farmers who grow coca in order to earn a sustainable income. Although the illegal trade helps to finance left-wing guerrilla groups, many human rights monitors believe these groups pose less of a threat than violent and corrupt government-backed paramilitary forces involved in so-called ‘social cleansing’, some of which have been trained by the US military. Studies have shown that the War on Drugs has been largely ineffective in stemming the flow of drugs, yet billions of dollars continue to be channelled into the project known as Plan Colombia.

This documentary explores the systemic corruption and vested interests that are likely to sustain the drug war for the foreseeable future. Interviews are conducted with political analysts, politicians, guerrilla leaders, and ordinary Colombians adversely affected by the situation.