Gustavo Petro Calls for Global Cocaine Legalization, Argues Drug War Is Politically Motivated and Ineffective
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sparked controversy by calling for the legalization of cocaine, arguing that the drug is unfairly criminalized while whiskey remains legal.
“Cocaine is illegal because it is made in Latin America, not because it is worse than whiskey,”
Petro said during a six-hour government meeting. He cited scientific research to back his claim and suggested that legalizing the drug globally could dismantle the cocaine trade.
“If somebody wants peace, the business [of drug trafficking] has to be dismantled,”
Petro stated.
“It could be easily dismantled if they legalized cocaine in the world. It would be sold like wine.”
Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producer, has long battled drug trafficking, but Petro accused American politicians of scapegoating the drug while failing to address more deadly substances like fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is killing Americans, but it’s not made in Colombia,”
he said, pointing out that the opioid crisis in the U.S. stems from pharmaceutical companies.
Tensions with the U.S. Over Drug Policy and Migration
Petro’s remarks come amid growing tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders clashed after Colombia initially blocked American military planes carrying deported migrants. Washington responded with trade tariff threats, pressuring Bogotá to reverse its stance.
Meanwhile, cocaine production in Colombia surged to a record high in 2023, increasing by 53% to over 2,600 tons, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Petro’s comments are likely to fuel further debate over global drug policies and their impact on Latin America.
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