The cultivation of the coca plant in Bolivia and President Evo Morales‘s defense of it has caused controversy and strain in relations between Bolivia and other countries, especially the United States. The coca plant is the raw ingredient in cocaine, but its leaves are also chewed and used to make completely legal tea. Other countries, especially those fellow South American ones led by fellow left leaning presidentes, support Bolivia and its coca cultivation. Take Venezuela who last week agreed to spot Bolivia about $250,000 to build two coca processing plants in Chapare and Las Yungas.

The plants will specifically manufacture a tea called trimate (pronounced tree ma te not try mate), a blend of coca, aniseed, and chamomile.

Via / Fox News

Image Via / Illegal Economy