Drugs, Guns and Democracy:

The Politics of Coca in the Apurimac and Ene Valleys of Peru

Praxis is researching the complicated politics of coca eradication and alternative development projects in the Apurimac and Ene Valleys (VRAE), one of Peru's largest coca growing regions. Our Research Associates are assessing the impact of these policies on peasants' lives and livelihoods, as well as the local-level initiatives proposed by members of the coca grower's confederation.

Our preliminary research indicates that coca eradication and crop substitution programs have failed in every country in which they have been implemented. This supply side approach has not reduced coca cultivation, but has resulted in massive peasant protest throughout the Andean Region. The goal of our research in the VRAE is the development of viable alternatives to current counter-narcotics policies.