The President of Bolivia has approved the increase in the area of legal Coca crops
Moscow. 9 Mar. INTERFAX.RU — Bolivia on Wednesday adopted a law that allows legal to increase the acreage under Coca by almost half — from the current 12 thousand hectares to 22 hectares, reports news Agency EFE.
The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, who in the past was a farmer and he grew Coca, rejected the argument that such a step would contribute to the spread of drug trafficking. Members of the opposition called the law unconstitutional because it violates international treaties, reports BBC.
Coca is a plant that is traditionally grown in the Andes. It is used in traditional medicine, in particular for the treatment of altitude sickness.
Chewing Coca leaf has a tonic effect, but also suppresses hunger, thirst, pain and fatigue
Also from coke by chemical processing cocaine is obtained, which is one of the world’s most popular drug. Coca leaves have been outlawed by the UN Convention on narcotic drugs of 1961.
However, Bolivia, where the cultivation of Coca leaf in religious and medical purposes is permitted and licensed, made for exceptions, although forced by pressure from international bodies to impose restrictions on the area of plantations.
Morales is the first Indian President of Bolivia. He actively supports the traditional use of Coca bushes and the production of products based on Coca, as in the past he was a farmer and represented the interests of the trade Union of farmers who grow Coca.
At the end of February in Bolivia, there were mass actions of supporters and opponents of Morales.
Particularly active were farmers growing Coca, they have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to limit the area of cultivation of plants
The third Morales term expires in 2020. In February 2016, he lost a referendum on a fourth presidential term, but he does not leave attempts to seek the possibility of another extension.