The World : U.S. Aid Tied to Drug War

The United States is withholding new economic and military aid to Bolivia until it has assurances that the South American nation is taking steps to wipe out at least 10,000 acres of coca, the plant used in making cocaine, U.S. officials said. Bolivia is the world’s second-largest producer of coca, trailing Peru slightly. The holdup will cover all new economic and military assistance to Bolivia until 10% of the nation’s coca crop is eradicated, the U.S. Embassy in La Paz said. In the last three years, it has received more than $60 million a year in economic aid and $3 million to $5 million in military aid.