Colombian President, Gustavo Petro has started a debate by comparing cocaine to whisky. which some people find surprising.

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His view on this perhaps suggests that it is only illegal because it is produced in Latin America.

His comments came during a televised cabinet meeting. He argued that legalizing cocaine worldwide could break down the drug trade, saying it “would sell like wine.”

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Petro’s remarks come at a time when coca production is increasing under his presidency. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, coca cultivation in Colombia rose by 10% in 2023 to 253,000 hectares, with potential cocaine production going up by 53% to 2,664 tonnes.

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Colombia remains the largest producer of cocaine globally, however, this situation raises many questions.

The remarks come just days after Colombia and the US barely avoided a trade war because of Petro’s initial refusal to accept deportees on US military planes.

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Relations between the two nations are still tense, especially given US President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on drug trafficking.

Although both countries have tried to work things out, the future remains uncertain.

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