Planning for Colombia’s Future

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Planning for Colombia’s Future

Colombia has been the setting for the longest-running civil war in Latin America. The conflict in this country takes place between the government and the two leftist guerilla groups, as well as the conflict between the guerrilla groups and the paramilitary forces. As in most wars, the most affected in this conflict are unarmed civilians.

Another dimension to the predicament in Colombia is the drug problem. Colombia is the largest producer and provider of cocaine in the world. This problem, however, is not separate to the armed conflict. In the recent past decades, control over the drug business in Colombia has shifted from drug cartel organizations such as the notorious Medellin Cartel, to both the guerrillas and paramilitary groups. These armed groups use the profit from the drug operations to fund their campaigns. Thus, the armed conflict in Colombia is intricately connected to the drug business.

Although Colombia is one of the richest nations in the world as far as natural resources are concerned [1], the internal struggle for power has hindered the nation’s economic and social growth. In 1999, the administration of President Andres Pastrana conceived ‘Plan Colombia’ as an attempt to revitalize the social and economic state of Colombia, and to put an end to the armed conflict and the drug problem. The United States government embraced the plan, and agreed to assist the Colombian government.

Since ‘Plan Colombia’ became law in 2000, the United States has invested over three billion dollars in Colombia. Over 80 percent of this aid, has been spent on military weapon technology [2], leaving little aid left to social and economic programs. Although the problem in Colombia can not be fixed...

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...mbia to increase social programs expenditure would help foster these virtues. Therefore continuing with Plan Colombia as it is would not be the right ethical decision to make.

IV. Conclusion

Based on my ethical analysis, I have concluded that the most ethically appropriate action to be made is to revise the budget of Plan Colombia. Plan Colombia as it stands does not hold against the utilitarian, rights, common good and virtue ethical perspectives. There needs to be more investment in social and economic programs and less expenditure in military equipment. Therefore, I defend the position that that it is not ethical for the Colombian government to use foreign aid to enhance its military technology while investing little in social and economic programs. Plan Colombia should prioritize social and economic development and pave the road for a conflict resolution.

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