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Colombia had a record 53% cocaine production in 2023, UN reports: Video
In 2023, Colombia's cocaine production surged by 53% to a record 2,600 tonnes, with coca leaf crops reaching 253,000 hectares, a 10% increase from 2022.
Despite efforts to combat drug trafficking, the trend has been rising since 2014. President Gustavo Petro, in power since 2022, criticises the war on drugs as a failure and proposes state purchase of coca crops, as reported by AFP.
The regions of Cauca and Nariño saw the largest crop increases, controlled by FARC dissidents.
The UN report also highlights the complex criminal landscape, with armed groups financed by drug trafficking. The US supports a holistic approach, while the average income for coca-growing families remains low.
