October 19, 2011

U.S.- Andean Security Cooperation

The hearing focuses on opportunities for increased U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela. Among the topics discussed were drug traffickers’ increased use of semi-submersible and fully-submersible submarines to transport cocaine from the Andean region to the United States. Members also examined efforts to reduce narco-violence in Colombia over the past decade.

The hearing transcript is available here.

Opening Statements

CHAIRMAN (D - CA)

Dianne Feinstein

Sen. Feinstein’s opening statement, as prepared for delivery.

CO-CHAIR (R - IA)

Chuck Grassley

Sen. Grassely’s opening statement, as prepared for delivery.

Witnesses

William Brownfield

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, U.S. Department of State

Kevin Whitaker

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Rodney Benson

Assistant Administrator and Chief of Intelligence, Drug Enforcement Administration

William Wechsler

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counternarcotics and Global Threats, Department of Defense