Coca in Bolivia
Over the last two governments held by Evo Morales in Bolivia, the issue on Coca has been a crucial one, the president who was a mayor Coca syndicalist has tried to change the bad image and reputation of the leaf that has been cultivated long before the Inca Empire. No matter how big the efforts on producing medicinal products, cosmetics amongst others and to control the production of coca leaf for consumption, still a 30-40% of the national production goes to cocaine production and trafficking .
Coroico -at the gate to the Beni district- has a tradition (from slavery times) of fine Coca production, it’s conveniently located a couple of hours from La Paz, were most of the cocaine labs are and were it’s distributed as well.
The few detractors of Evo argue that the government’s plans are being financed with drug money. The drug leaders, also linked to the government, are gaining more and more power leading to huge corruption which directly affects the people who try to make a living and who struggle daily in one of Latin Americas worst living standard countries.
Mrs. Ana, a harvester takes a rest on her land. She has paid the education of all of her 5 children (one doctor, two engeneers, a social assistant and one still in highschool) with the money of Coca.
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