In a high-octane report, BBC's Orla Guerin joins Colombian commandos as they embark on vital missions to disrupt cocaine production in the Amazon rainforest. Armed with heavy weaponry, the elite Jungle Commandos, originally trained by the UK’s SAS, operate in an area notorious for drug trafficking.
The jungle is not just a backdrop; it’s the battleground in this ongoing fight against powerful drug gangs that have evolved from the infamous cartels of the past. The Colombian commandos head to regions like Putumayo, where coca cultivation is rampant, supplying about 70% of the world’s cocaine.
As Guerin and the commandos take off in Black Hawk helicopters, the mission is fraught with tension. The team has to navigate the complexities of tackling an entrenched and resilient drug trade. Their tasks include locating makeshift labs hidden within the dense forest, which are typically equipped with essential supplies to produce cocaine.
During one such operation, they encounter workers at a lab. Despite the commandos’ strict focus on cracking down on high-ranking cartel members, they often find themselves needing to evade and outsmart local guerrilla factions that pose an immediate risk to operations.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro defends his government's efforts, asserting that drug seizures have reached historic highs, even as cocaine production remains a major concern. Tensions flared as U.S. officials criticized Colombia for lagging in combatting drug trafficking amid rising cocaine availability in global markets.
Through interviews with local farmers like 'Javier', who feel compelled to grow coca for survival, the socio-economic dilemma becomes stark. As they navigate their stark realities, the struggle of Colombia against cocaine could well shape the futures of countless families living within these rural landscapes.
The narrative captured by Guerin illustrates a cycle of destruction and rebirth in drug production that continues to challenge the commandos, amidst changing tactics by drug syndicates that increasingly leverage modern technology like drones and cryptocurrency.
This gripping report serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between crime, economy, and society, revealing insights into the lives affected by these ongoing battles.
