Examining spatially varying relationships between coca crops and associated factors in Colombia, using geographically weight regression.

This article addresses the expansion of illicit crops (coca) and the associated socio-institutional and geographical drivers in Colombia between 2001 and 2008. The analysis is based on a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models and shows that the relationships between the analyzed variables and the coca crops are not constant over space. Similarly, it is demonstrated that the factors commonly associated with the expansion of coca crops are not constant with respect to time, as changes can be seen between the years of the study (2001 and 2008). The article finds that the models that include the local reality offer the best way of understanding the factors associated with the expansion of illicit coca crops in Colombia, a fundamental step in the formulation of effective policies in the reduction of crops for illicit use (coca).