Colombian President Gustavo Petro's statement that cocaine is 'no worse than whisky' has sparked controversy.

Petro said cocaine is illegal only because it is produced in Latin America, not because it is more dangerous than alcohol. He argued that the global cocaine trade could be 'easily dismantled' if the drug became legal worldwide. The Colombian president also emphasized that it is synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, that are causing deaths among Americans, not cocaine produced in Colombia.