President Duque of Colombia criticizes cocaine users for destruction of the Amazon

The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, criticized those who defend the environment and at the same time consume cocaine, whose production is one of the causes of the deforestation of the Amazon, published this Friday the Financial Times (FT).

“In order to produce one hectare of coca, almost two hectares of rainforest are destroyed in Colombia“, said Duke to the FT in Glasgow during the UN Climate Summit COP26.

“You meet those who use cocaine in other countries who are very enthusiastic and talkative when they speak in favor of the environment, but do not realize that when they consume (cocaine), they are doing great damage to the environment“, He added Duke al FT.

Some 143,000 hectares in Colombia are dedicated to the plantation of coca leaves, the main ingredient for the production of cocaine, according to an estimate by the HIM-HER-IT.

Coca cultivation, indicates the FT, has increased in national parks and indigenous reserves, despite the government’s efforts to eradicate these illicit plantations.

Duque indicated that when one can see illegal laboratories where cocaine is produced in raids, the authorities observe the “terrible environmental damage”Because chemicals are used and they are later thrown into the jungle.

While deforestation in Colombia increased slightly in 2020, has fallen by a third in the first half of this year, according to Duque.

The president was one of the signatories of an agreement reached in Glasgow by 110 countries to stop deforestation by 2030.

This pact – also signed by Brazil and Costa Rica – would improve the effectiveness of forests as carbon sinks in the fight against climate change.

The signatory states represent 85% of the global forest and are committed to halting and reversing tree felling this decade, in exchange for financing of US $ 19.2 billion (16.5 billion euros) in public and private funds.