They call the effort to halt the cocaine cartels in Colombia a “drug war.” But, the war being “fought” is a losing effort with people in the country claiming the ineffectiveness of the battle is wearing thin on nerves and patience.

The U.S. has sent roughly $65 million in aid to help the local authorities fight the drug lords, but many are beginning to question the amount of money spent—who is receiving the cash and why the the U.S. is stockpiling military hardware that serves no real purpose? Some claim the shipments are designed to counter a possible guerilla insurgency and are not destined to help in the fight against the cartels.

Only $15 million dollars has been earmarked for the police forces, and this has many Colombian officials questioning the effectiveness and the motives behind the Bush administration’s offer of assistance. The majority of the bloodshed occurs in the cities and towns, where the police can be most effective. This is where the majority of the money should be going.

Scores of journalists, judges and anti-cartel supporters are dying every day in Colombia. Why has this slaughter continued? If we are helping fight the war, we are not doing a very good job. It is beginning to look like yet another ploy on the part of the Bush administration to influence foreign opinion. Is this any way to help a country sorely in need of purging one of the most powerful organizations in South America?