In 2023, coca cultivation in Colombia reached a historical peak in April, a high mark that began to ease before another uptick of about 7% by year’s end. This pattern is part of a broader set of alignments in regional crop data and policy responses across the Andean region. The information was compiled from official sources monitoring illegal crops and reported through Colombia’s defense and security channels. (Source attribution: National police SIIMA data and defense ministry summaries, with contemporary coverage.)
Operational maps and figures from the SIIMA system—shared by Colombia’s National Police at four‑month intervals starting on 23 April—track planting areas and seasonal shifts. The measured area began near 259,212 hectares and trended downward to 246,693 hectares by December. The trajectory reflects fluctuations in enforcement, crop substitution programs, and environmental factors that influence coca growth in field conditions. (Source attribution: SIIMA monitoring reports and defense ministry communications.)
According to the displayed trend line, the year saw a net 7% rise in coca cultivation, while over a four‑year horizon the planted area has expanded roughly 2.5 times. This pattern underscores persistent supply pressures, market dynamics, and the challenges of eradicating illicit crops in parts of the Andes where rural livelihoods are closely tied to coca cultivation. Analysts emphasize that policy responses must balance security goals with sustainable development to reduce dependency on illegal crops. (Source attribution: policy analyses and official summaries collated alongside SIIMA data.)
Globally, the Andean region houses more than 90% of the world’s coca plantations, with the Andean drug triangle comprising Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia as the dominant nodes. Smaller, scattered plantings are reported in neighboring nations such as Panama, Ecuador, the southwestern reaches of Venezuela, and the northeastern areas of Brazil. This distribution shows how supply networks adapt to enforcement pressures and cross‑border dynamics across North and South America. (Source attribution: regional agricultural and law enforcement data compilations.)
From a consumption perspective, large quantities of cocaine have historically flowed from South America toward the United States, a major consumer market, as well as toward various European ports. The movement reflects long‑standing maritime and overland routes, with law enforcement and customs agencies continually adjusting to new trafficking patterns and routes. Regional policy discussions focus on reducing demand, disrupting networks, and providing economic alternatives for communities involved in illicit crop production. (Source attribution: international crime monitoring reports and official government statements.)
Earlier developments in Bolivia included state involvement in coca cultivation, where a government‑led entity previously supervised growing and processing activities. This historical note highlights how state strategies can intersect with regional production realities and influence shifts in coca supply during transition periods. (Source attribution: historical policy reviews and official disclosures.)