In a recent cabinet meeting, Colombian President Gustavo Petro made headlines with a controversial statement comparing cocaine to whisky. He suggested that cocaine is no more harmful than whisky and that its illegal status is only due to being produced in Latin America.
Petro argued that legalizing cocaine worldwide would help end the global drug trade, claiming it could be sold like wine.
This statement comes at a time when coca production in Colombia is rising. The United Nations has reported a 10% increase in coca farming in Colombia, with potential cocaine production growing by 53% in 2023. Colombia continues to be the world’s largest producer of cocaine.
Petro, a former guerrilla fighter and vocal critic of the US-led war on drugs, has changed his government’s approach to the drug problem. Instead of focusing on military and police action against coca farmers, his government now focuses on stopping drug shipments at sea.
Critics, however, say his policies are not solving the drug trafficking or public health issues related to drug use.
Petro’s comments also follow a recent diplomatic issue with the United States. The two countries narrowly avoided a trade conflict after Petro initially refused to accept deportees on US military planes.
Tensions between the nations remain high, especially with US President Donald Trump’s strict anti-drug policies.
The cabinet meeting, meant to demonstrate Petro’s leadership during recent challenges, quickly turned into chaos. Several key officials, including Vice President Francia Márquez, criticized Petro’s decisions regarding key appointments in his government.
The controversy surrounding these appointments, connected to a scandal involving wiretapping and illegal campaign funding, has only added to the political instability.
This turmoil has led to multiple resignations, including that of Jorge Rojas, the head of the administrative department, just a week after taking over, as well as the resignation of Culture Minister Juan David Correa.
Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo also expressed frustration, calling for a collective resignation, stating that the cabinet had become “unsustainable.”
Experts believe the infighting within Petro’s administration has weakened his position. Nicholas Watson from the consultancy Teneo described the televised meeting as a failed attempt to show strong leadership, which instead exposed Petro’s difficulties in maintaining control over his government.
