Latest News

Cocaine Production Hits Record High, Colombia’s Coca Crop at 253,000 Hectares

By The City Paper Staff - June 26, 2025

Global cocaine production hit a record 3,708 tons in 2023, driven by a surge in coca cultivation in Colombia, the UN reported. Cocaine use, seizures, and drug-related environmental crimes are rising worldwide, with Indigenous communities in the Amazon disproportionately affected by violence, displacement, and illegal gold mining

Colombia tells UK Duchess that sourcing coca plants for Poison Garden impossible

By The City Paper Staff - March 18, 2024

The Colombian Embassy to the UK refutes Duchess of Northumberland’s alleged request for coca plants, highlighting legal barriers and emphasizing coca leaf distinction from cocaine.

Colombia justifies why no coca was eradicated in January

By Richard Emblin - February 23, 2023

Colombia ground to a halt during the month of January in its decades-long efforts to manually eradicate coca. Not one hectare of the illegal cash crop was destroyed. The government outlined the reasons.

Colombia receives $5 billion from U.S to finance projects in coca-growing regions

By Richard Emblin - January 17, 2020

Colombia will receive U.S$5 billion to invest in regions impacted by coca. President Duque also received on Thursday a message of friendship from Trump for eradication efforts.

The rise and fall of Colombia’s intelligence plants

By Jimmy Weiskopf - June 18, 2019

Considered a sacred plant, the ground powder of the coca leaf, consumed as mambe, has found a mainstream audience among urbanites and unwary tourists.

Colombia’s Duque reiterates “open arms” to Venezuelan migrants during Paris visit

By The City Paper Staff - November 14, 2018

President Iván Duque outlined major policy decisions from coca eradication to humanitarian assistance for Venezuelan migrants during three-day visit to the French capital.

Drones: Colombia’s new air warriors join fight in eradicating coca

By Richard Emblin - July 10, 2018

Colombia has a new warrior in the fight to eradicate coca: Drones. Environmentalists claim glyphosate will inflict damage to crops. The aerial fumigation debate returns.