Peru's new government has temporarily suspended the eradication of coca plants, the base ingredient of cocaine, as it works to re-design its anti-drug programmes, the country's interior ministry said.
News of the suspension in eradication work prompted surprise and concern from US officials, whose country has tried for years to limit coca production in Peru as part of a broader "war on drugs" in the region.
The United Nations says Peru is now the world's leading coca and could surpass Colombia as the top cocaine producer.
Coca has been commonly used in Peru and other Andean nations for centuries and plays an important role in traditional indigenous culture. Many chew coca leaves or consume the plant in other ways, such as coca tea.
It is considered effective as a treatment for altitude sickness and is often used in medicine and in traditional religious ceremonies.
NOTE: Coca is a natural plant with numerous health benefits. Cocain is a synthetic manufactured toxin. There is a huge difference. Punish the crime, not the plant shows intelligence and a move away from the financial game and drain of the war on drugs.
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