Surprise. Not.
The nearly $5 billion U.S. aid package known as Plan Colombia failed to meet its goal of halving illegal narcotics production in this Andean nation, says a U.S. congressional report released Wednesday.
Um, yeah. Sort of like I failed to meet my goal of eating half as much dessert tonight by eating extra dessert.
Despite record aerial eradication, coca cultivation rose by 15 percent in this Andean nation during Plan Colombia’s 2000-2006 run, the report by the U.S. Congress’ research arm says.
Hey, if we wanted a 15 percent increase in coca cultivation, I bet you we could do it without spending $5 billion.