A third more security oriented countermeasure — to provide enhanced intelligence , training and supplies to Colombian armed forces against the FARC — took greater importance post 9/11 under the Andean Regional Initiative , as the threat of global terrorism received increased attention . The Andean Regional Initiative initially appropriated $ 676 million to South American countries , with approximately $ 380 million targeted at Colombia . The 2001 initiative reduced the limitations on the numbers and the activities of civilian contractors , allowing them to carry and use military weapons which , according to the U.S. government , would be necessary to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment during spray missions . The United States Congress rejected amendments to the Andean initiative that would have redirected some of the money to demand reduction programs in the United States , primarily through funding of drug treatment services . Some critics have opposed the rejection of these modifications , claiming that the drug problem and its multiple repercussions would be structurally addressed by curbing the demand , and not the production , of illicit drugs , since drug crops can always be regrown and transplanted elsewhere , inside or outside Colombia and its neighboring countries , as long as there is a commercially viable market
9/11
September 11 attacks
Plan Colombia