Colombia's fight against drug trafficking is failing and needs new proposals and UN guidance, declared former Colombian Foreign Minister Rodrigo Pardo Tuesday.
The introduction of new anti-drug initiatives as well as greater multilateralism were two of the conclusions identified at an American Foreign Relations Council on Organized Crime in the western hemisphere, at which Pardo was present. The council was held on Tuesday as an independent arena for discussion on international relations.
The former minister and current director of Cambio magazine signaled that he believed people have lost interest in Colombia's drug problem, reported news site The Houston Chronicle.
"In Colombia we are tired of the drug strategy. This demonstrated that what we have done has not worked ... We have put so much money and effort into it yet the statistics remain the same, depite success in security avenues," insisted Pardo.
Pardo added that over the last decade Colombia has focused effort on the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking has taken something of a back-seat.
Experts stated that Colombia remained isolated after failing to secure free trade agreements with the U.S. nor can it rely completely on the UN or UNASUR.
Furthermore, public opinion polls suggest that drug trafficking is no longer at the forefront of Colombian's priorites and they are more concerned with the trials of everyday life.
David Holiday, of the Latin American branch of the Open Society Institute warned that the solution to drug trafficking was not solely armed military response, "we need greater focus on judicial and police reformation, which have taken second place behind the mobilization of the military."
gringomedeliin
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... The Headline is a bit off no? it is opinions of a NGO not experts. Experts stated that Colombia remained isolated after failing to secure free trade agreements with the U.S. nor can it rely completely on the UN or UNASUR. What experts??? As I see this statement as totally false, it is someones opinion which is wrong in my opinion. |
Adriaan
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... @ Gringomedellin, Only government organizations can provide experts? Quoted are a former minister and journalist and a US institute that is specialized in "building democracies", I would consider them experts. Experts (like the quoted David Holiday) were the ones that gave their opinion. Was it an op-ed when we published Francisco Santos saying the war on drugs was a success and should be continued too? Be fair. A large part of news is allowing people of different opinions to talk, whether you agree with them or not does not really matter, that's where you take over. |
azunoman
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... "Fight against drug trafficking in Colombia is failing: experts" I can only assume they are experts at failing. How about run something positive about the war on drugs rather than sensationalism from a couple of lefties....get some other 'experts' for a change of pace.... |
Adriaan
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... We have run positive things about it. You can't expect us to not allow critics though, there are plenty. |
azunoman
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... Dear Adriaan, I assume the positive articles concerning drugs are when the rule of law has been carried out, arrests confiscations etc. It is difficult to find articles on the fight against drug trafficking as to it's benefits to society. To say there is balanced reporting on current drug policy in my opinion is disingenuous. CR has on this very website stated a pro legalization of drugs. I feel this lends itself to biased reporting and is why my initial comments may seem harsh to some. Hope this helps clear that up. |
Adriaan
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... @ azunoman, We have never stated to be in favor of legalization, because we're not. We're not against it either. What we have stated is that we ask governments to come up with something that is working better than what we have now. Colombia is still suffering a lot because of the drug trafficking, but we don't pretend to know the solution to this, we just ask for one. |
