Venezuela funds coca leaves manufacturing plants in Bolivia

FM Maduro advocates plans to purchase coca from Bolivia

Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca on February 6th met in Caracas with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro, in an unexpected visit.

Following the meeting, Maduro advocated Venezuelan plans to purchase all of Bolivia's industrial coca production for medicines and infusions. "The only thing people know about coca is the perversion created by capitalism, i.e., the production of cocaine to destroy the youth, the human beings."

Regarding the possibility that the United States stops giving Venezuela financial aid to fight drugs, Maduro said such resources are granted to the countries that follow the US guidelines.

"They may take their funds and do whatever they have to do. We will continue fighting against drug traffic. Drugs have a final destination: the several million consumers in the United States, and this is the result of the predator capitalism," the Venezuelan diplomat said.

Venezuela pays for coca leaves manufacturing plants in Bolivia
The Venezuelan Government lent USD 250,000 to install in Bolivia two manufacturing plants of coca leaves, said on February 8th a Bolivian diplomat.

The loan for Bolivian growers "is from USD 200,000 to USD 250,000," Chargé d'Affaires Jorge Alvarado told AP.

Alvarado explained that the building of the facilities in the Bolivian cities of Chapare and Yungas started 15 days ago.

The plants are to produce coca mate and "three-mate" a compound of anise, chamomile and coca.

"As early as September or October, such plants would be producing," and perhaps exporting the output to Venezuela.

Earlier, Venezuelan Ambassador to Bolivia Julio Montes said Caracas was buying all of the products from such plants, including mate and medicines. Besides, he dismissed any conflicts with the Vienna Convention and urged the US to control cocaine consumption domestically.

While the manufacture and marketing of coca is currently banned, Bolivia has proposed industrialization of coca for medicinal purposes. Since President Evo Morales took office, Bolivia has been campaign to legalize coca crops.