PLAN COLOMBIA
A 15-YEAR PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT With more than US $9 billion provided by the US government during the 15 years of Plan Colombia, Colombia has made great strides in terms of security and governance. However, a lesser known component of this cooperation, equivalent to US $2 billion channeled through USAID, has benefitted social and economic development programs and strengthened institutional capacities, complementing the Colombian Government's ongoing work. These are its main achievements: Rural Development
Demobilization and Reintegration
•Technical assistance and resource leveraging has helped reduced poverty in conflict-affected rural areas: 2002
74%
2015
45%
• Support for Colombia’s Agency for Reintegration. Reintegration of 13,484 demobilized persons and 20,000+ community members. • Colombia is now a global leader on the reintegration of ex-combatants, with expertise in psycho-social and education services.
• 1,400+ community-led development projects valued at over US $487 million. • Increased access to finance for the rural poor, including loan guarantees and new equity investment funds to support small and medium agribusiness and community enterprises.
Clean Energy Generation
Access to Justice
• From 2013 to 2015: More than
CO2
1
million metric tons of CO2 reduced, sequestered or avoided
• Installation of renewable energy systems for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities in 35 off-grid areas.
• 100 justice houses to improve citizens’ access to multiple justice-related services free of charge. 15 million cases handled since 1995, of which 2/3 are particular to women. • 35 oral trial courtrooms and training for judges. • Decrease in corruption according to Transparency International’s ranking: Improvement of
17%
Human Rights • Support for Colombia’s National Protection Program. Today 100% Colombia-funded, it ensures that union leaders, human rights defenders and journalists receive sufficient protection to carry out their vital work.
Environment • Partnerships with 19 Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities to develop local business plans in forest conservation. 800,000 ha of forest on the Pacific Coast will be protected. • 66,000+ ha of biodiverse land under improved management through the National Parks Agency.
“Plan Colombia thus risks becoming a victim of its own success. That would be a shame. (...) Having come so far, it deserves support on the home straight.” The Economist
2000
2003
between 2000 and 2003
Victims and Land Restitution • Support for Colombia’s Victims Unit. Compensation to 600,000 victims—the world’s largest number of reparations ever provided by any government. Training public defenders to take on land restitution cases and offering technological solutions to improve access to land records: - Identification of 48,000 land parcels (1.2 million ha) for restitution needs. - Registration of 121,000 land titles issued by Colombia.
“While Colombia’s story is still being written, the chapters penned thus far provide critical lessons for how to combat these threats and build a safer, secure and prosperous future for generations to come.” Juan Carlos Pinzón, Colombian Ambassador to the US
“Colombia is at a tipping point. If we receive the help that we need, because we are in a difficult situation financially as is all of Latin America, we can take advantage of this new situation.” Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia
*Information obtained from Plan Colombia fact sheet: Highlights of 15 years of the United States’ government Social and Economic Assistance in Colombia. USAID 2016 & CRS: Report for Congress. Plan Colombia: A Progress Report, June 2005.