This report by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Narcotics, Terrorism, and International Operations presents the results of an investigation into the links between U.S. foreign policy, narcotics, and law enforcement in connection with drug trafficking from the Caribbean and Central and South America to the United States.
The report is based on 14 days of open hearings, nine executive sessions, and depositions from 20 witnesses. Thirty subpoenas were issued; many calling for the production of extensive documentation. The subcommittee's investigation resulted in a comprehensive review of past Federal policies and practices in the handling of foreign policy and the war on drugs. The study concludes that the U.S. Government has either failed to acknowledge or has underestimated the seriousness of the emerging threat to national security posed by the drug cartels. The drug cartels are so large and powerful that they have undermined some governments and taken over others. They work with revolutionaries and terrorists. Their objectives seriously jeopardize U.S. foreign policy interests and objectives throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In some instances, U.S. foreign policy considerations have interfered with the U.S.'s ability to fight the war on drugs. The report recommends that the threat posed by the drug cartels be given high priority in the bilateral agenda of the United States with a number of countries including the Bahamas, Haiti, Colombia, Bolivia, and Paraguay. The President should convene a summit meeting of Latin American leaders to begin the development of a strategy to address drug trafficking and related economic problems. Administrative and legislative recommendations are presented. Extensive appended documentation and data