Colombian President Gustavo Petro said during a government meeting on Wednesday that cocaine is only kept illegal around the world because of its origins in South America, comparing it to alcohol. Colombia is the largest cocaine exporter in the world, setting a new record in 2023.

“Cocaine is illegal because it is made in Latin America, not because it is worse than whiskey,” Petro told the gathered officials.

“Scientists have analyzed this — cocaine is not worse than whiskey,” he emphasized without providing specific citations.

The Colombian leader blamed global turmoil caused by illegal drug trafficking on cocaine’s continued restriction in the majority of countries around the globe.

Rolling back these restrictions and implementing regulations on its sale would open a market for free and safe use, he argued — once again comparing cocaine to alcohol.

“It could be easily dismantled if they legalized cocaine in the world,” Petro asserted. “It would be sold like wine.”

Colombia is experiencing an outbreak of widespread violence in the northeast region of Catatumbo, where two criminal organizations, engaged in large-scale drug trafficking, have engaged in a turf war.

The government has deployed soldiers and humanitarian aid to the region in an effort to quell the belligerence that has forced tens of thousands of inhabitants in the area to flee the region due to violence and unrest.

The situation shows few signs of improving, with a peace deal negotiated last month almost immediately falling apart.