Colombia's President: 'cocaine is no worse than whiskey and drug is only illegal because it is made in Latin America
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent comments comparing cocaine to whiskey. In a groundbreaking six-hour live broadcast ministerial meeting, Petro, the leader of the world's largest cocaine producer and exporter, Colombia, argued that cocaine's illegal status is a result of global politics rather than its inherent dangers.
Petro boldly asserted that cocaine is no more harmful than a typical glass of whiskey, citing scientific analysis to support his claim. However, the specifics of this analysis remain unclear, leaving many questioning the validity of his statement.
Furthermore, Petro provocatively suggested that cocaine's criminalization is primarily due to its production in Latin America, rather than its comparative risks to legal substances like whiskey. This assertion challenges conventional beliefs about drug policy and raises significant questions about the motivations behind drug laws.
During his impassioned address, Petro proposed a radical solution to combat illegal drug trafficking: the legalization of drugs currently being trafficked. He argued that dismantling the illicit drug trade would require a paradigm shift in drug policy, advocating for the global legalization of cocaine as a means to promote peace and disrupt criminal enterprises.
The President's controversial remarks come at a time when cocaine production in Colombia has surged to unprecedented levels, reaching a record high of 2,600 tons in 2023, as reported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. This exponential increase in production has contributed to a concerning rise in cocaine-related fatalities, with a 37% spike in deaths over the past six years.
Notably, many of these deaths are linked to fentanyl, a potent opioid often mixed with cocaine by illicit suppliers. The prevalence of fentanyl in cocaine supplies has led to a surge in overdose deaths, underscoring the complex and deadly nature of the global drug trade.
