Overview

• 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.