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12-21-2005, 10:55 PM
Colombia sells coca-leaf soda (http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1222/p04s01-woam.html)
Nasa Indians grow coca legally for traditional uses, but illegal coca plantations in Colombia - the world's largest exporter of cocaine - have been the target of an aerial fumigation program bankrolled by the United States.
The drink was officially launched last week in the town of Inzá which banned Coca-Cola from its store shelves last year in protest against Coke's Colombian bottlers who allegedly hired right-wing paramilitary forces in 1996 to intimidate and kill union leaders. The bottlers deny the charges. A US lawsuit is still pending.
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In conjunction with my fascination of South American social/political trends comes this story.
You know, when I think of coke, I think of white lines, the crazy drug use of the 70s, 80s and 90s. These people dont use coca leaves to get a numbing high, its like their tea or coffee, or I guess I should say caffine.
Thinking along those lines you can buy concentrated caffine right off the shelves, no age limit, and ingest it however you want.
Columbia has other problems right now with FARC rebels and uneasy tensions with its neighbors.
I see a definite trend in South America starting. A South America that is perhaps saying enough is enough and taking their own matters into their own hands.
Nasa Indians grow coca legally for traditional uses, but illegal coca plantations in Colombia - the world's largest exporter of cocaine - have been the target of an aerial fumigation program bankrolled by the United States.
The drink was officially launched last week in the town of Inzá which banned Coca-Cola from its store shelves last year in protest against Coke's Colombian bottlers who allegedly hired right-wing paramilitary forces in 1996 to intimidate and kill union leaders. The bottlers deny the charges. A US lawsuit is still pending.
-----------------------------------------------
In conjunction with my fascination of South American social/political trends comes this story.
You know, when I think of coke, I think of white lines, the crazy drug use of the 70s, 80s and 90s. These people dont use coca leaves to get a numbing high, its like their tea or coffee, or I guess I should say caffine.
Thinking along those lines you can buy concentrated caffine right off the shelves, no age limit, and ingest it however you want.
Columbia has other problems right now with FARC rebels and uneasy tensions with its neighbors.
I see a definite trend in South America starting. A South America that is perhaps saying enough is enough and taking their own matters into their own hands.