Increase in coca crops in Colombia leaves the United States “very worried”

USA said this Friday that he is “very concerned” about the “high levels” of coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombiaand assured that he will continue to cooperate with the South American country to combat drug trafficking.

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This was stated by a spokesman for the Department of State questioned by EFE about the report of United Nations which revealed on Thursday that coca crops in Colombia grew 43% in 2021.

“USA remains very concerned about the high levels of coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia. We will continue to cooperate closely with Colombia to respond to the great threat posed by drug trafficking”answered said source.

The spokesman recalled that the plan of Washington and of Bogota it is “implement a comprehensive approach” in drug policy that addresses the reduction of drug production and demand, environmental protection, and development and justice for the Colombian countryside.

coca crops in Colombia They grew by 43% in 2021, the year in which 204,000 hectares planted were registered, while in 2020 that figure was 143,000 hectares, according to the annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Unodc, acronym in English) presented on Thursday.

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The report indicates that coca crops in Colombia continue to be located in “the same territories with conditions of vulnerability” and that 62% of the total are concentrated in three departments: Narino (border with Ecuador), North of Santander (border with Venezuela) and Putumayo (border with Peru and Ecuador).

During his visit to Colombia two weeks ago, the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenassured that his country firmly supports the anti-drug policy proposed by the new Colombian president, the leftist Gustavo Petro.

In a harsh speech at the UN General AssemblyPetro lashed out at the military war on drugs sponsored for decades by Washington which, he said, has damaged the Colombian jungle.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.