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Article: Colombia Tries to Woo Peasants Away from Lucrative Drug Crops
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- May 28, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1995 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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SAN JOSE DEL GUAVIARE, Colombia Colombian President Ernesto
Samper has launched a $300 million drive to tempt peasants away from
"the accursed siren song" of drug crops.
"Here, in San Jose Del Guaviare, we are beginning what can be
considered the biggest offensive in this war," Samper said Friday in
a speech at an education center in the provincial capital.
"I invite you all to not let yourselves be seduced by the
accursed siren songs of easy money."
Samper's plan involves offering government subsidies to
peasants willing to switch from drug-related crops such as coca to
legal products such as rubber, fruit and cattle.
Colombia is the world's biggest exporter of cocaine and one ...