Colombian leader claims Cocaine no worse than whiskey

(MENAFN) Colombian President Gustavo Petro has argued that cocaine is no more harmful than whiskey, asserting that the drug's illegality is due to its Latin American origins rather than its effects. Petro made these comments amid ongoing tensions with the trump administration over deportation issues and threats of trade tariffs.

Cocaine, which is derived from the coca plant native to Latin America, has long been associated with Colombia’s production. Petro contended that if cocaine were legalized globally, the criminal organizations profiting from drug trafficking could be dismantled, and the profits could help fund efforts to reduce underage use, much like alcohol is regulated.

The president’s statements align with his criticism of U.S. policies that he believes are oppressive to Latin America. He has previously referred to American leaders, including Trump, as "slaveholders" and criticized their treatment of Colombians. Tensions between the two nations rose when Trump launched deportations of Colombian migrants and threatened tariffs on Colombian goods unless the country complied. Despite initial resistance, Petro backed down when Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Colombian exports to the U.S.

Petro also rejected Trump’s claim that Colombian cocaine was a major factor in U.S. drug-related crime, instead placing the blame on synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which have caused a rise in opioid-related deaths in the U.S. Trump, however, has linked the fentanyl crisis to external sources, such as China, Mexico, and Canada, and imposed tariffs on imports from those countries.

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