Drug Trade in South America

By Hetal Patel and Lauren Dryburgh

Colombia

• Became a problem in 1970s• Small guerilla groups vied for power• Gained money through drug trade • 1980s--tried to stop drug trade

– alliance with US

• Peace talks with the guerilla groups resulted in a new constitution in 1991

Bolivia• Cocoa is very important in economy• President Evo Morales will not get rid of plant• Chew leaves to increase stamina and depress hunger• Most cocoa goes to Brazil for cocaine rather than US• Many legal products made from cocoa

– Shampoo– Tea– Soap– Toothpaste– Medicine

Brazil

• Sells more cocaine than the US

• Gets cocoa from Bolivia

• Farmers cannot live off of harvesting coffee beans, so cocoa plant is very important

So Basically….

Most of the countries in South America have an economy that involves the cocoa plant as well as other plants used to make drugs

The poorer people need these plants to continue living life and providing for family

Some countries are trying to stop drug trade while others will not because it is vital for economy