since coca leaves have long ameliorated the effects of living at high altitude and much of Ecuador is high altitude. There should be a provision for a few bushes here and there in family gardens.

However, I understand why they did it, it's to keep the US the hell out of their country. This is the country that booted the IMF out, sharply devalued their currency and got their economy back on track without the IMF and their harsh austerity for labor. That they stopped coca and opium production without the paramilitary DEA doesn't surprise me in the least.

And yes, Correa has taken a large step to the left.

...but I understand why they did it and are bragging about it--the absurd, insane, corrupt, murderous, failed U.S. 'war on drugs' (--that is, war to take over other countries in order to militarize their governments and their police, to establish slave labor colonies and to destroy local governments, all fairness to the poor majority and all environmental and labor regulation). This horrible "war" must be kept out of Ecuador (and other Latin American countries). It is so-o-o-o-o incredibly destructive, as Ecuadorans well know, living right next to Colombia.

I like Bolivia's policy of enshrining the coca leaf as a sacred plant in the constitution--ensuring everyone's right to grow it, sell or trade it and, of course, use it, but not to manufacture cocaine nor form gangs to traffic cocaine for ungodly profits. The local coca leaf farmers thus become the best monitors and resistors of cocaine trafficking.

Not surprising, the president of Bolivia--Evo Morales--came from a traditional coca leaf growing family, grew the leaf himself and earned his political stripes organizing the coca leaf farmers union, of which he is still a member. As president, Morales kicked the DEA out of Bolivia, and, as a consequence, Bolivia's record in dismantling cocaine gangs greatly improved. The DEA was a HINDRANCE to such progress. Its real target was POOR FARMERS, not improving society. In other words, the DEA were the storm troopers for Monsanto, et al. They were more than likely dealing as well, or at the least extracting "protection" payments, probably in conspiracy with local rightwingers, fascists and racists (to put these dirtbags back in power). And of course the DEA encourages local police purchase of tanks and guns, and 'training' in 'brown shirt' tactics against the populace.

Latin American countries with governments that are honestly elected--that represent the interests of the majority--have been seeking ways to extract themselves from this U.S. "war on the poor," ever since Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld were the "generals." Whatever was corrupt about the DEA prior to the Bush junta was made a thousand times worse under their command. Even countries with corrupt, compromised election systems--such as Colombia and Mexico--are trying to extract themselves from this horror. (The current president of Colombia actually favors legalization of ALL drugs.)