Argument of Coca-spraying exposes Rift in US drug war

After several cocaine-friendly leaders in South America were elected recently, the US-led drug war in the area is getting a lot of opposition--Ecuador's President-elect Correa is one of the loudest.

Correa recently called off a visit to Colombia because they would not stop spraying an herbicide to destroy the illegal Coca plants along it's border. Correa said that if he is to have talks with Colombia, the spraying would have to end. President Uribe of Colombia, however, is not backing down. He said that he will not stop his attempts to slow/end the illicit drug trade that continues to wreak havoc within his country. The rebels in Colombia are backed by the drug cartels. Violence in that nation is inextricably linked to cocaine and it's trade. While other nations like Bolivia and Peru aren't for as pro-cocaine as Correa seems to be, they are in favor of the traditional uses of the Coca leaf--in teas, chewed, and in salads. They would like to allow legal coca use while keeping down the dangerous and often violent cocaine-trade. However, opposition to the drug war seems to be breeding more irritation with the US presence in South America. Hugo Chavez, of course, is one of the most outspoken critics of America. He says that the drug war is simply a ruse to get American soldiers into South American countries. If the coca leaf is used in teas, etc it's one thing..but when it's used to create cocaine, it's another one entirely. The cocaine trade is far too violent and fatal to stop fighting against it.