Colombia, along with Mexico and Bolivia, succeeded in having the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs approve a resolution calling for the lifting of the ban on coca leaf. Colombian Minister Ángela María Buitrago indicated in an interview with W Radio that they are seeking to generate alliances with other countries to unite in block for the voting of the resolution. The need to consider the context of each nation on this issue was emphasized.
Colombia's initiative is supported by EU countries as well as Latin American nations such as Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay. The proposal includes the creation of a committee of 19 experts who will assess the situation and make recommendations to strengthen the global drug control system. The results of this committee will be debated at the Commission's meeting in 2027.
The committee will consist of representatives from various international organizations, ensuring geographical balance and diversity of approaches. Colombia's Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia, emphasized the need to rethink the global fight against drugs, pointing out that the current strategy has not succeeded in reducing supply and has increased the number of consumers worldwide.
In this sense, Colombia has advocated for a change in international narcotics policies, considering the current strategy in the 'war on drugs' a failure. The UN's concern over the global rise in drug consumers and the proliferation of synthetic substances that are more difficult to trace than those of plant origin is highlighted.
Marie Nougier, an expert from the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), described the resolution as a step towards transformative change in the global drug control regime. She highlighted the importance of the resolution being widely supported by countries from the Global South and Europe.
