Colombia is the one of the most violent nations in the Western Hemisphere. While guerrilla warfare batters the Colombian countryside, political violence and organized crime menace the cities. In this climate of fear and lawlessness, the production of cocaine and heroin has expanded, flooding the United States with dangerous drugs. In October, 1999, the U.S. Senate introduced an emergency aid package for Colombia. The vast majority of the aid would provide weapons, equipment, and other support to Colombia's police and military forces. Advocates of the plan say that only by aiding the Colombian armed forces can we hope to bring order to the country and stem the flow of illegal drugs. Critics worry that a new infusion of American weapons will only fan the fires of violence. This program examines Colombia's deepening crisis, and America's controversial rescue plan.

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