Colombian President Calls for Global Cocaine Legalization, Comparing It to Alcohol

Gustavo Petro argues that legalizing cocaine could dismantle drug trafficking and reduce violence, while criticizing the U.S.'s focus on fentanyl.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that cocaine is 'no worse than whisky' and suggested it should be legalized and sold like wine.
Petro argued that cocaine is illegal primarily due to its Latin American origins, rather than its health risks, citing scientific analyses without specific references.
The president highlighted the opioid fentanyl as a greater issue in the U.S., attributing its creation to North American pharmaceutical companies and linking it to tens of thousands of deaths annually.
Colombia remains the world's largest producer and exporter of cocaine, with production reaching a record 2,600 tons in 2023, according to the United Nations.
Petro has sought to negotiate peace with armed groups involved in drug trafficking, aiming to end six decades of conflict exacerbated by the drug trade.