Cocaine ‘is no worse than whiskey’ – these are the words of Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro. He said during a live broadcast of a government meeting that the drug is only illegal because it comes from Latin America.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said that “cocaine is no worse than whisky,” as he suggested the multibillion dollar illicit trade in the drug could be “easily dismantled” if it was legalized worldwide.

In a first-of-its-kind, six-hour live broadcast ministerial meeting in the South American country, Colombian President Gustavo Petro argued that cocaine is only illegal because of global politics — further claiming that it can be consumed as casually as alcohol, according to a report.

In a statement during a live government meeting, Colombian President Gustavo Petro argued that cocaine is no worse than whiskey and that its illegal status is rooted in its Latin American origins, rather than its inherent danger.

According to CBS News, Columbian President Gustavo Petro said cocaine is "no worse than whiskey" and is only illegal because it made in Latin America when speaking on a live broadcast of a government meeting.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro caused a stir during a live broadcast of a government meeting, where he controversially stated that cocaine "is no worse than whiskey" and is only illegal because it is produced in Latin America.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that cocaine is illegal primarily due to its Latin American origin, not because it is worse than whisky. He suggested that legalisation could dismantle the drug trade and highlighted the opioid fentanyl as a greater issue in the US.