Colombia’s Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia has requested the UN to delist coca as a harmful substance, arguing that the coca leaf is not detrimental to health and can aid in combating illegal cocaine trade. She suggests that legalizing coca could enable its industrial use, helping to reduce coca cultivation and promote alternatives like cacao while reorienting the country’s drug strategy toward development and peace.
Colombia’s Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia, formally requested the United Nations’ Commission on Narcotic Drugs to remove coca, the primary ingredient of cocaine, from its list of harmful substances. During the commission meeting, she asserted that scientific research will validate her claim that “the coca leaf itself is not harmful to health.” Sarabia criticized the global strategy aimed at curbing illegal cocaine production as ineffective, stating that it has hindered development and adversely impacted millions of Colombians and local environments.
The foreign minister emphasized that legalizing coca could empower Colombian authorities to combat cocaine production more effectively by exploring the coca leaf’s potential in industrial applications, including fertilizers and beverages. Moreover, she noted that transforming coca crops into alternative products like cacao would facilitate the substitution of illicit crops.
Sarabia clarified that reforming the global drug regime should not be perceived as normalizing drug trafficking but as empowering greater efficacy in combatting it. She stated, “We cannot continue repeating the mistakes of the past. For Colombia, refocusing this policy is a matter of life and peace.” This reform could enable law enforcement to concentrate on illegal cocaine production and export attempts.
Since President Gustavo Petro took office in August 2022, the government has seized 1.9 million kilos of cocaine and dismantled over 450 clandestine cocaine factories. However, despite these efforts, the administration has struggled to significantly curb coca cultivation intended for cocaine production. As reported by the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime, Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer.
Colombia’s appeal to the UN to remove coca from the harmful substances list highlights the country’s intent to re-evaluate its approach to drug policy. The government aims to leverage the coca leaf’s potential benefits instead of solely focusing on its negative implications. By adopting this perspective, Colombia hopes to combat illegal drug trade effectively while fostering economic alternatives for farmers.
Original Source: colombiareports.com
