Coca farms move deep into Colombian jungle

Colombia

Colombian farmer Victor Vanegas says he never grew coca, the plant used to make cocaine. Taking a break from mowing weeds in what used to be his cow pasture, he stands sweating in the equatorial heat. “It’s fine if they put an end to coca, but not this way,” he says. Several months ago a plane passed over dropping glyphosate powder, Vanegas says. Every plant the dust touched died. Three of his cows later starved to death. Now only weeds grow in the field, so Vanegas must remove them and sow grass again. Vanegas lives about 10 miles outside what was once known as the world’s coca capital, San José del Guaviare. Now the city is home to Colombia’s drug-eradication program, which is supported... [Log in to read more]

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