President Petro declares the end of the conflict between insurgents and the state in Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the end of the conflict between the Colombian State and insurgents, warning of a shift in violence towards territorial and wealth control.

This statement was made during the installation of the new 2023-2024 legislature in Congress, sparking opposition-led outcry.

The president acknowledged a bilateral ceasefire with the National Liberation Army (ELN), effective August 3, crediting it for a significant decline in Army and Police casualties. However, he cautioned about emerging violence tied to wealth and illegal economies.

Petro’s speech also highlighted the climate crisis and the urgency of measures such as decarbonization.

He warned of a challenging future due to climatic impacts.

He discussed changes in the drug market, noting a halt in coca cultivation and a decrease in shipments to the U.S., but warned of emerging hunger in coca-growing regions.

He also observed a shift from cocaine to the highly addictive opioid fentanyl in U.S. consumption patterns, hinting at Colombia’s potential exit from drug trafficking chains, as its competitive capacity in the fentanyl market seems limited, thus opening a window of opportunity for peace.

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