Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s assertion that “cocaine is no worse than whiskey” has sparked fresh controversy as the country grapples with surging coca production and mounting political turmoil. Petro, a former leftist guerrilla and vocal critic of the U.S.-led war on drugs, suggested during a chaotic, televised cabinet meeting that global legalization could dismantle the cocaine trade, likening its potential sale to that of wine.

The comments come amid strained U.S.-Colombia relations, following a near trade war with President Donald Trump’s administration over Colombia’s initial refusal to accept deportees transported on U.S. military planes. Tensions between the nations persist as Trump continues his hardline stance on drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, coca cultivation in Colombia grew by 10% in 2023, with potential cocaine production increasing by 53% to a record 2,664 tonnes. Petro’s administration has shifted away from targeting coca farmers militarily, instead focusing on drug shipment seizures at sea.

Political scientist Pedro Piedrahita Bustamante noted that while Petro’s stance underscores the failure of traditional anti-drug policies, his government has struggled to combat criminal networks across Colombia.

The cabinet meeting quickly devolved into chaos, with Vice President Francia Márquez and other officials criticizing Petro for appointing Armando Benedetti, a seasoned political operator, as chief of staff. Benedetti and new Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia have both been embroiled in the “nannygate” scandal, involving allegations of wiretapping, illicit campaign financing, and a missing briefcase of cash — allegations both have denied.

The fallout continued as Jorge Rojas, head of the presidency’s administrative department, and Culture Minister Juan David Correa resigned. Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo proposed a mass resignation of the cabinet, citing its dysfunction.

Analysts, such as Nicholas Watson from consultancy Teneo, described the televised meeting as a failed attempt to project Petro’s composure amid the crisis, ultimately revealing deep divisions and weakening his administration’s image.

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