U.S. Mutual Assistance to Colombia: Vague Promises and Diminishing Returns

This Article addresses mutual assistance between the United States and Colombia and the issues surrounding the drug war. Part I examines past and present cooperative agreements, the goals of the agreements in the context of national and regional security, and the reasons the agreements have or have not succeeded. Part II discusses current U.S. aid policy toward Colombia and the problems the United States will face if assistance proceeds as planned. Part III presents a critical view of Colombia as a nation unable to deal successfully with its many political, social, and moral crises, and incapable of living up to its cooperative responsibilities.

This Article concludes with a summary of the issues and what, if anything, can be done to save Colombia from itself.