Colombia’s Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia has requested the UN to remove coca from the list of harmful substances, asserting its potential benefits. Sarabia argues that current policies have failed to curb drug trafficking and that legalizing coca would allow for healthier crop substitution strategies. The government seeks to use coca’s industrial potential as a tool in combating cocaine production while addressing significant societal issues.
Colombia’s Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia has formally requested the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs to remove coca, the primary ingredient in cocaine, from its list of harmful substances. At a recent commission meeting, Sarabia emphasized that scientific evidence supports the notion that the coca leaf poses no health risks.
In her address, Sarabia articulated that labeling the coca plant as harmful has been ineffective in curbing drug trafficking, which has adversely impacted Colombia’s development, victimized countless farmers, and financed terrorist activities while damaging vital ecosystems, including the Amazon.
Sarabia advocated that legalizing coca could enable Colombian authorities to tap into its potential for industrial uses such as fertilizers and beverages, thus providing a more effective approach to combating cocaine production. She noted that this change would allow for a smoother transition towards substituting coca crops with non-harmful products, such as cacao.
Moreover, she clarified that reforming the global drug policy should not be misconstrued as normalizing drug trafficking. Instead, it is about equipping Colombia with more effective strategies to tackle the issue at hand, emphasizing that changing this approach is crucial for the country’s peace and stability.
According to the Foreign Ministry, during President Gustavo Petro’s administration, unauthorized production has been addressed with the confiscation of 1.9 million kilograms of cocaine and the dismantling of over 450 illegal cocaine manufacturing plants since August 2022. Nonetheless, the administration continues to struggle with effectively halting the cultivation of coca intended for cocaine production. Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine globally, as reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
In summary, Colombia’s plea to revise the international classification of coca underscores the need for a transformative approach to drug policy. By advocating for the recognition of the coca leaf’s potential benefits, Colombian authorities believe they can better address the challenges of cocaine production and trade. This reform aims to equip them with effective tools to combat drug trafficking while pursuing peace and development for the nation.
Original Source: colombiareports.com
