explained to the Official Gazette El Peruano the significance of the 2024 coca crop reduction for the country, and how these figures mark a trend in anti-drug policy.
Likewise, he addressed the closure of USAID and its impact on Peru.
For the second consecutive year, the area of coca crops was reduced in 2024 by 3.3%, according to the latest monitoring report.
What are the key factors in this result?
For the first time, after eight years, there has been a break in the upward trend of illicit coca cultivation. Let's remember that in 2022, Peru recorded the highest peak of illicit crops, with 95,000 hectares. However, during these two years of government, we have achieved the first reversal in 2023, and in 2024 we confirmed that reversal with a second reduction of the coca-growing area by 3.3%.
That is to say, we went from 95,000 hectares in 2022 to 92,000 hectares in 2023, and now in 2024 to 89,755 hectares.
The success of this result lies in the coordinated work and a multisectoral strategy developed by all the state actors responsible for this policy. We are talking about the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, National Police, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agrarian Development, and Ministry of Economy-Finance.
Why is this achievement important?
Firstly, we have achieved this result despite being in an international context marked by growing demand for drugs —particularly cocaine-based drugs— as noted by several highly prestigious global reports. In this difficult context, we have achieved a reduction in the supply of cocaine-based drugs.
Secondly, we have achieved this in areas traditionally considered hotspots for drug trafficking —we are talking about the Valley of Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), the Putumayo zone, and also in protected natural areas. That means, we are obtaining results on the front lines of the fight against drug trafficking.
If we had not applied this policy of President Dina Boluarte's government, Peru would now have 125,000 hectares of illicit crops. In other words, we have prevented a 29% increase in that area. What does that mean? It means 429 fewer tons of cocaine hydrochloride produced and 4.315 billion doses that have not reached the streets —and, of course, that have not negatively impacted the global population.
Based on these results, can we now speak of a downward trend that will consolidate over time, or is there still a risk of returning to 2022, when we were the world's second-largest cocaine producer?
This government has the commitment of the President to fight drug trafficking, as shown by the results we are seeing. If there were to be a reversal, it would not come from this government. But what is most concerning is that, if such a setback were to occur, it would happen in the context already mentioned —an increase in global demand for drugs.
This week the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was made official. How will this situation affect the international support that Peru receives?
We respect the decisions of each country, as they are sovereign. What matters is that, over these decades of work, Peru has become the leading promoter of alternative crops. Those strengths allow us to avoid gaps and continue operating in that area of drugs.
But in the case of the United States, and as a result of this decision, what will become of USAID's cooperation?
There is a decision by the U.S. government to close its agency, but it has not stated that cooperation will cease. We must approach them to understand what their new cooperation model will look like. In addition, we are reaching out to other international cooperation partners that are willing to work with us.
Precisely, the other major partner that Peru has in this matter is the European Union.
In the VRAEM, for example, we are working with the European Union and other cooperation partners that are supporting us. Traditionally, we did not have cooperation with the Netherlands or Belgium in terms of alternative development.
Soon, we will be launching a coffee with a French brand, with a designation of origin from Peru. Likewise, we are working with both the French and the German governments.
With the United States, it will depend on the negotiations we undertake and how that continuity is maintained, because the core idea is that alternative development has been tremendously successful.
Figures
-5% reduction in coca cultivation area in the VRAEM—the first such result in 8 years.
-28% reduction rate in Putumayo during the 2023–2024 period.
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