Alternative Economies of the Coca Leaf for Peacebuilding and Social-Ecological Transformations: The Case of the Association of Indigenous Councils in Northern Cauca, Colombia

The Nasa Indigenous people of Northern Cauca, represented by the Association of Indigenous Councils (ACIN), face numerous interconnected challenges driven by ongoing armed conflict and the illegal drug trade. These challenges include persistent violence from illegal armed groups, the targeted killing of Indigenous leaders, and the forced recruitment of youth, all of which disrupt cultural practices and undermine the social and economic fabric of Nasa communities (CODACOP, 2023). Additionally, coca cultivation, fueled by limited economic opportunities and pressure from armed groups, has led to instability, external control over Nasa territories, and environmental degradation (Chaves Pérez et al., 2019). In the face of these pressures, the Nasa have upheld a tradition of resistance, deeply rooted in their spiritual and cultural connection to their ancestral territories. A significant aspect of this resistance is their effort to develop alternative coca leaf economies (Ramírez, 2020). These initiatives seek to reframe the use of coca leaf, promoting their legal and traditional applications in local and regional markets as a sustainable response to the illicit drug trade. By reclaiming control over coca leaf production, the Nasa aim not only to resist external exploitation but also to foster economic independence. These alternative coca leaf economies have the potential to drive broader socio-ecological transformations (Gudynas, 2011; Svampa, 2019), aligning economic sustainability with the preservation of cultural practices. Furthermore, they contribute to environmental peacebuilding (Ide, 2021; Davis et al., 2024) by promoting the protection and restoration of ecosystems in regions destabilized by conflict. This research employs a participatory approach to examine how these coca leaf economies can serve as viable, sustainable alternatives to the illegal drug trade, while also exploring their capacity to foster socio-ecological transformation and environmental peacebuilding in the context of ongoing armed conflict and the escalating climate crisis.