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A coca farmer works in his field in a rural area of ​​Policarpa, Narino Department, Colombia, on January 15, 2017. Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine. AFP / Luis Robayo

Cocaine production is still flourishing in Colombia, the biggest producer of this drug. According to a UN report, production has risen again in 2018. It is a blow for President Ivan Duque who has made fight against drug traffickers one of his priorities.

Colombia produced 1,120 tonnes of cocaine last year, an increase of 5.9% over 2017. According to the UN report, this increase is due to a better yield of coca plants that are found in the country. their period of maturity and better cultivation techniques.

Indeed, this increase in production is accompanied by a decline in coca plantations in 2018, announced Friday by UNODC as part of an event held at the Colombian presidential palace. These plantations increased from 171 000 hectares to 169 000, a decrease of 1.2%.

Decrease in seizures

Another phenomenon highlighted, the price of cocaine increased last year to reach 1 300 euros per kilo and at the same time, seizures in the country decreased slightly. This is a bad pass for Colombian President Ivan Duque , who with the support of the United States, wants to halve coca cultivation and cocaine production by the end of 2023.

Moreover, under the pressure of the Americans he seeks to resume aerial watering of glyphosate, a weed killer destroying plantations. A method suspended since 2015 by the former head of state because of damage to human health and the environment.

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Colombian traffickers, who produce nearly 70% of the world's cocaine, sell most of their production in North America.