Petro: “Amazon’s second biggest enemy is drug trafficking”

Speaking at the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (OTCA) Heads of State Summit hosted by Colombia in the capital Bogota, Petro drew attention to the danger in the Amazon.

Petro said, "We had a difficult day in Colombia yesterday. The main reason for this was the armed activities of drug trafficking. I think this is a topic that needs to be discussed at this meeting. Because, specifically in Colombia, the Amazon's biggest enemy today, after global warming, is drug trafficking."

Armed groups are using Amazon

Petro, noting that illegal armed groups are transporting drugs deep in the Amazon forest, said, "It is absolutely essential that the armies and police intelligence units in South American countries are able to coordinate in the fight against the enemies of the Amazon forest. One of these enemies is drug traffickers and the mafia."

Petro asked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to organize an international conference to coordinate actions against drug organizations that harm countries in the region.

Addressing the causes of the damage to the forest, Petro said, "Mafias from all countries are taking over the region, and they are the most powerful. Submarines are starting to pass through the Putumayo River, and cocaine is being transported through the Amazon River to southern South America or Europe. These gangs are increasingly merging with the global drug trafficking armies."

Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Bolivian President Luis Arce attended the summit at the Presidential Palace Casa de Narino.

GREED IS DEEPENING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

"Greed increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere," said Petro, who also met with local officials and civil society organizations.

Drawing attention to the danger of climate change, Petro said:

"Without forests, there would be no water, and we would have to leave. A scientific study predicts that 3 billion people will migrate. This includes all of Colombia and Venezuela, all of Guyana, and the entire tropical region. Reaching that point of no return would be a disaster. Because they don't want us in the north. If we become 3 billion, they won't want us anymore."