The U.S. State Department is considering a phase-out of the multi-billion-dollar Plan Colombia anti-drug program, and the leading U.S. military official in South America said he isn't worried about the prospect, the Associated Press reported Oct. 17.

The U.S. is currently sending $600 million annually to the Colombian government in military and anti-drug aid to fight cocaine production and the leftist rebels who control the Colombian drug trade. For the first time since the program began in 2000, however, there are serious discussions in Washington about reducing Plan Colombia funding.

"I'm not concerned there's going to be a loss of funding," said Gen. John Craddock, head of the U.S. Southern Command. "First of all, there should be (decreased funding), over time. It makes sense. The Colombians are winning. [They] are taking every year more and more responsibility for the conduct and the resources. That's the way it ought to be."

The funding has helped the Colombian military make strides against the FARC rebels, although the effect of Plan Colombia on cocaine trafficking is questionable.