Colombian President Gustavo Petro stirred controversy during a televised cabinet meeting by asserting that “cocaine is no worse than whisky” and suggesting it is only illegal because it is produced in Latin America. Petro, a former guerrilla and outspoken critic of the US-led war on drugs, argued that worldwide legalization would dismantle the drug trade, claiming, “It would sell like wine.”
The remarks come as Colombia grapples with a surge in coca cultivation. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, coca crop areas grew by 10% in 2023, reaching 253,000 hectares, while potential cocaine production rose by 53% to 2,664 tonnes — marking a historic high.
According to the Financial Times, under Petro’s presidency, Colombia has reduced military and police operations targeting coca farmers, instead focusing on seizing drug shipments at sea. His policies, however, have faced criticism for failing to curb the influence of powerful criminal networks.
The timing of Petro’s comments is likely to strain relations with the US, just days after Colombia narrowly avoided a trade dispute over Petro’s refusal to accept Colombian deportees on American military aircraft. Although President Joe Biden has taken a more collaborative approach to Latin American relations compared to his predecessor Donald Trump, the US remains steadfast on combating narcotics trafficking.
In 2022, Pedro told the UN that the world is full of “loveless societies” that conveniently blame their drug problems on cultivators in the jungle instead of looking in the mirror.
Beyond drug policy, Petro’s cabinet is in disarray. The televised meeting descended into chaos, with Vice President Francia Márquez and other ministers openly criticizing Petro’s decision to appoint Armando Benedetti as chief of staff and Laura Sarabia as foreign minister despite her lack of diplomatic experience.
Both Benedetti and Sarabia were embroiled in a scandal dubbed “Nannygate,” involving allegations of wiretapping, illicit campaign financing, and a missing briefcase of cash — allegations they deny. Following the chaotic session, Jorge Rojas, the administrative head of the presidency, resigned, along with Culture Minister Juan David Correa. Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo called the cabinet “unsustainable” and proposed a mass resignation.
Political analysts, such as Pedro Piedrahita Bustamante, believe Petro’s comments and policies underscore his belief that traditional anti-drug efforts have failed. However, his administration’s internal turmoil and inability to control criminal groups in drug-producing regions are raising doubts about his leadership.
Nicholas Watson of Teneo consultancy noted that the decision to broadcast the cabinet meeting was a significant misstep, saying it backfired by showcasing Petro’s lack of control over his own administration.
Despite the upheaval, Petro suggested that the cabinet infighting stemmed from political ambitions ahead of Colombia’s next elections, where he is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term.
