Colombia: the new method of fighting drugs advocated by Gustavo Petro

Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaking to the press at the presidential palace in Bogota, August 24, 2022. AP - Fernando Vergara

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The war on drugs is a failure in Colombia.

After four decades of international efforts, the country is still the largest cocaine producer in the world.

The new left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, is determined to change the situation.

On Wednesday August 24, he announced a new approach to the fight against narcotics trafficking.

And for starters, he kind of reached out to members of the Colombian cartels and guerrillas who fund themselves through drugs.

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Gustavo Petro wants to pacify Colombia.

for control of illicit crops between armed groups and drug cartels are the main driver of violence in the country.

On Wednesday August 24, the new president called on drug traffickers to surrender, while promising them compensation, in particular not to extradite them to the United States:

“ 

 »

The new Colombian president

did not specify what were these “legal benefits” that the Colombian state would grant.

Observers are wondering: could drug traffickers not have to serve prison sentences, like the FARC guerrillas after the

 ?

The strategy of the new Head of State seems in any case to bear its first fruits.

Even the powerful Gulf Clan has already shown interest.

Gustavo Petro asks them to move from words to deeds: “ 

 »

►Also read: Colombia: the challenges awaiting the new President Gustavo Petro

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