President of Colombia approves rebel-requested inquiry into purported narcotics connections News
By Samantha Power USAID - PowerUSAID, Public Domain, Link
President of Colombia approves rebel-requested inquiry into purported narcotics connections

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Sunday he would accept a proposal from the country’s largest remaining rebel group to allow an independent commission to investigate its alleged links to drug trafficking.

On January 20, Antonio Garcia, leader of the National Liberation Army, released a video stating that although the group collects taxes from cocaine dealers, they don’t operate drug trafficking networks or cocaine production facilities.

In a message posted on X, Petro confirmed his acceptance of the proposal, stating that the body responsible for verifying the rebel group’s claims must be “scientific and independent of governments” and should submit its findings to the United Nations. He also urged the rebels to support efforts aimed at replacing coca crops in the northeastern Catatumbo region, a key area for cocaine production.

The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Colombia’s long-running conflict and its entanglement with the drug trade. By endorsing an external investigation, Petro signaled a willingness to subject both government narratives and rebel claims to international oversight, potentially reshaping accountability within Colombia.

This comes as President Gustavo Petro has repeatedly criticized corruption within previous governments, recently writing on X that what he called the “most corrupt government of this century” was responsible for the killing of up to 6,402 young people who were falsely presented as guerrillas, as well as the loss of billions in public health funds. By highlighting what he sees as a pattern of impunity that placed the country on a damaging path, his decision to back an independent investigation signals an effort to strengthen accountability and reassert the rule of law.

Furthermore, figures presented by the United Nations show that Colombia recorded its largest cocaine seizures between 2023 and 2024 and extradited 700 drug traffickers to the United States and the European Union. This demonstrates that President Gustavo understands the actions he must take in order to ensure accountability and a strong allegiance to the rule of law, reinforcing his decision to agreeing to an independent commission to investigate drug trade links.

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