Bolivian President Evo Morales on Monday criticized Colombia for the lack of success in stemming its drug trade, despite hundreds of millions of dollars donated by the U.S. to tackle the problem, reported EFE.
Speaking publicly in La Paz, Morales referred to the millions of dollars donated to Colombia by the United States government in 2009 to prevent the illegal export of cocaine.
“With $469 million invested [in 2009], Colombia remains the leading exporter of cocaine,” said the Bolivian president.
Morales pointed out that Colombia has been receiving money from the U.S. for this purpose since 1952 and that in such a time period “they should have eradicated narco-trafficking.”
“If since 1952 there was U.S. military presence, cooperation, resources, Colombia should be a model and example country, without drugs, without cocaine.”
Bolivia received similar financial support from the U.S. from 1979 until 2008, when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was expelled from the country.