The Drug War

U.S. Programs in Peru Face Serious Obstacles Gao ID: NSIAD-92-36 October 21, 1991

The Andean Strategy to combat cocaine trafficking, approved by President Bush in 1989, increased military, law enforcement, and economic aid to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. These reports, which focus on counternarcotics programs in Colombia and Peru, conclude that the United States is further along in implementing the Andean Strategy in Colombia than in Peru because of the Colombian government's commitment to combat drug trafficking. Peru must overcome serious problems in fighting the drug war before the strategy can be effective. In addition, the United States needs to strengthen its oversight in both countries to ensure that military aid is used efficiently, effectively, and as intended. Finally, human rights abuses remain a major concern in Colombia and Peru. GAO summarized these reports in testimony before Congress; see: The Drug War: Observations on Counternarcotics Programs in Colombia and Peru, by Frank C. Conahan, Assistant Comptroller General for National Security and International Affairs Programs, before the Subcommittee on Legislation and National Security, House Committee on Government Operations. GAO/T-NSIAD-92-2, Oct. 23, 1991 (14 pages).

GAO found that: (1) although the United States increased the available amount of law enforcement aid from $10 million to $19 million for fiscal year (FY) 1990, U.S.-provided aid has not significantly reduced drug trafficking activities in Peru; (2) the United States only provided law enforcement aid in FY 1990 and did not provide military aid because Peru would not accept it, but Peru agreed to accept military aid in FY 1991; (3) such obstacles as the Peruvian government's inability to control the military, police, and airports, and the political instability caused by insurgent groups diminish the effectiveness of law and military enforcement aid; (4) due to a lack of effective oversight, U.S. officials are unable to determine if aid is being used effectively and as intended; and (5) the U.S. Embassy has not developed a plan for monitoring military aid to determine whether Peru is improperly using counternarcotics law enforcement aid to train counter insurgency personnel.

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