Abstract
This article studies the case of alternative development in San Martin, known by several drug enforcement agencies as the ‘miracle of San Martin.’ First, this article presents a theoretical framework, in which territorial control and state capacities are the main determinants of successful alternative development. With this theoretical framework, this article establishes three different periods of alternative development implementation in the San Martin region. During the first of them, from 1981 to 1989, the rise of drug trafficking and the presence of subversive organizations in San Martin impeded the implementation of alternative development programs. During the second period, from 1990 to 2002, the fall of coca prices, the spread of the Fusarium oxysporum fungus, the suspension of forced eradication of coca, and the weakening of the subversive organizations opened an opportunity for the implementation of alternative development. Finally, during the last period, from 2003 to 2015, the engagement of political authorities in decision-making regarding alternative development and a favorable international context towards the prices of alternative crops helped to establish the definitive model of alternative development in San Martin.
Highlights
Revista de Ciencia Política y Gobierno, 4(7), 2017 of subversive organizations in San Martin impeded the implementation of alternative development programs
From 1990 to 2002, the fall of coca prices, the spread of the Fusarium oxysporum fungus, the suspension of forced eradication of coca, and the weakening of the subversive organizations opened an opportunity for the implementation of alternative development
During the last period, from 2003 to 2015, the engagement of political authorities in decision-making regarding alternative development and a favorable international context towards the prices of alternative crops helped to establish the definitive model of alternative development in San Martin
Summary
El denominado «milagro de San Martín» es presentado como uno de los mayores logros en materia de desarrollo alternativo del mundo por las agencias de lucha contra las drogas. Entre los principales indicadores que demuestran la excepcionalidad de San Martín, se encuentra la reducción sostenida de hectáreas de hoja de coca, la cual descendió de las estimaciones de entre 28 600 y 90 000 hectáreas a inicios de la década de 1990 a tan solo 311 en 2014 (García, 2013a; INEI, 1994; UNODC, 2015). Durante la primera década de 2000, la región San Martín concentró la mayor cantidad de hectáreas apoyadas por los programas de desarrollo alternativo. Este artículo busca mostrar el proceso de transformación de la región San Martín: de haber sido el principal centro del tráfico ilícito de drogas —y un importante foco subversivo— a convertirse en el «milagro» o «modelo» de desarrollo alternativo. Se presentan las reflexiones finales de la investigación
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