Colombias President Gustavo Petro Defends Record Cocaine Seizures Efforts

Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s administration has reported record seizures of illicit cocaine, with authorities confiscating 985 tonnes of the substance in 2025. This amount surpasses the weight of the Statue of Liberty and is the largest seizure in a decade.

The Colombian police intercepted 14 tonnes of cocaine worth $390 million at a shipping container in Buenaventura, Colombia’s largest port on the Pacific Coast, on November 20, 2025. The seizure was part of President Petro’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Since taking office last year, President Trump has accused President Petro of not doing enough to stop the flow of cocaine, leading to Colombia’s decertification as an ally in the “war on drugs.” However, President Petro has continued his campaign to prove that his policy is effective, citing record seizures.

President Petro’s administration has taken a modified approach to the US-led “war on drugs,” focusing on human rights and negotiating with drug-trafficking groups. The government has also petitioned the United Nations to decriminalize coca, citing its traditional uses among Indigenous peoples across the Andes region.

Despite the record seizures, experts caution that President Petro’s efforts may not have fully addressed tensions with the US. Ana Maria Rueda, a drug policy expert, stated that President Petro’s strategy may not be effective in quelling tensions.

The size of the seizures alone does not necessarily indicate success, according to Michael Weintraub, director of the Center for Drug and Safety Studies. “It is a convenient talking point,” he said. “But I think we should ask ourselves whether this strategy makes sense.”

Colombia’s record production of coca has also been on the rise in recent years, with 253,000 hectares planted in 2023, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This increase may contribute to the higher number of seizures.

The numbers suggest that President Petro’s efforts have not yet fully addressed the issue of cocaine trafficking in Colombia. The May 31 presidential election approaches, and President Petro’s legacy as a combatant against drug trafficking will be closely watched by experts and the public.

Source: Al Jazeera