This post is also available in: Spanish
One of the Choco farmers with a rice crop damaged by aerial fumigation
By Rebekah Sears and Adrienne Wiebe, MCC Latin America
Anti-narcotics police in Colombia have fumigated and destroyed rice and cacao crops that were part of an MB Church and MCC community project last month.
Despite promises of the Government of Colombia that there would be no more aerial fumigation, this one occurred in mid-May, 2013 without prior warning to the people in the area.
This major agricultural project of the regional Mennonite Brethren Church, called “Weaving Hope” supported farmers to grow and process rice and cacao (to make chocolate) as an alternative to growing illicit crops (such as coca for cocaine).
Crops damaged by fumigation
Destruction supported by US Aid Funds
Fumigation of illicit crops is a significant part of Plan Colombia, a US aid program to Colombia throughout the 2000s, in which billions of dollars in aid focused on fighting illegal drug production and trade. Plan Colombia funds were 70% military aid and supported aerial fumigation of illegal crops.
However, aerial fumigation has extremely devastating impacts on legal farms and food crops, such as rice, cacao, and fruit, causing long-term damage to the soil and water sources.The fumigation last month contaminated water sources, houses and even a school.
Attached is a full report from MB Regional Pastor José Rutilio Rivas Domínguez, on behalf of the Weaving Hope Project. He describes the impact of the fumigation on each household and farm.
Rice crop destroyed by fumigation
MCC Response
The MCC US Board is currently preparing a letter which will be sent to the US Embassy to protest the indiscriminate fumigation of rural areas. MCC Colombia is also hoping to arrange a meeting with Embassy staff to discuss the issue.
The MB churches and the communities affected are asking for prays and support as they respond to this loss and destruction. They are also requesting reparations from the Colombian and US governments for their lost crops and damaged land.
I am disgusted at the facts which point to the source of the problem! our government and governments in general seem to disregard life and those striving to become contributing factors to our communities. If and when people are view and treated as a people, nothing will change except governments will continue to fight for power, status and land! what good is land without Good people? what good are all these claims without God? Pastor Rutillo, “estamos orando con y por uds”. Blessings en Cristo.
Yes, well, what you also may not know is that Monsanto is winning here from both sides of the pile – most of the ‘illegal’ Coca that is being sprayed is grown from GMO – “Roundup Ready” seed. So the spraying of glyphosate does not affect the drup trade, only the plants that are grown from heritage seed by families and communities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca Heartbreaking.
…this is the NWO hope ing to gain total CONTROLL of all people, worldwide…MONSANTO and gang, r the new HITLERS of this planet….the war on drugs is a joke !!! they wish everyone to overdose and die,,,,just make all drugs legal…
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