elt the certification is subject to U.S. sentiment towards the country and serves U.S. national interests. There have been few strong attempts to repeal the 1986 International Narcotics Control Act. Latin American countries have not attempted long-term lobbying or diplomatic measures to put an end the certification process. Despite opposition to the program, most Latin American nations are content with being certified.
Colombia now receives more U.S. security assistance than any other country in the hemisphere. The assistance has traditionally been in the form of military assistance. Much of the aid received by Colombia has been military hardware and training for soldiers. Money has also been spent on Blackhawk helicopters, boats, weapons and surveillance systems. It is this militarization of financial aid to Colombia, which has led to such severe human rights violations. Over the past decade the U.S. has contributed over one billion dollars to combat drugs in Colombia with little success. The U.S. has provided more than $600m to the Colombian mili
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