In 2022, coca farming in Colombia grew by practically 13%. A brand new document of 230,000 hectares was set, says a UN report.

Earlier than, in 2021, 204,000 hectares had been below cultivation. That was a 43% rise from 2020.

Even when the expansion price slowed, it’s nonetheless the very best for the reason that UN started monitoring in 2001. Cocaine output additionally elevated.

Colombia produced 1,738 tons, principally despatched to the U.S. and Europe.

Since 2014, coca farming has constantly risen. That is regardless of long-term efforts to curb drug trafficking.

The U.S. has funded these efforts, and Colombia signed a peace cope with FARC rebels in 2016.

The report finds that just about half of the coca farms are in areas of Black and indigenous communities.

Colombia stays the world chief in coca farming. It’s far forward of Peru and Bolivia. Most new farms appeared in Putumayo, close to the Ecuador border.

President Gustavo Petro criticized the failing drug warfare. He has known as for a brand new strategy from the U.S.

He desires deal with slicing demand in richer nations. A latest summit with Latin leaders mentioned this. They need a extra full technique towards medication.

From 2012 to 2022, over 840,000 hectares of coca had been forcibly eliminated. However the farmed space grew by 327%.

Ongoing violence complicates the state of affairs. By 2026, the federal government goals to scale back cocaine output to 900 tons and coca fields to 150,000 hectares.

Background

Colombia has been the focus of anti-drug efforts for many years. The U.S. has poured cash into “Plan Colombia” since 2000 to combat drug trafficking.

Regardless of these efforts, drug manufacturing continues to climb. Some argue that the deal with suppression relatively than demand discount is flawed.

The peace cope with FARC in 2016 raised hopes. Individuals thought it will cut back coca farming.

But, smaller teams have crammed the void left by FARC. A holistic strategy, combining regulation enforcement and social packages, may provide a extra sustainable resolution.