From Barranquilla, the Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, spoke about the possible funding for the purchase of coca leaf crops, a project that, in his words, already has financial support.
Bonilla explained that the Ministry of Agriculture has the necessary resources for an initiative of this type, indicating that they are trying to give the plant another use.
The minister was sure that, although coca crops are not being obtained at the moment, it is not maintained that these will be included in purchase plans.
According to Bonilla, the reason is clear: change the coca leaf to derived products that do not involve the production of cocaine, but focus on legal uses, some with medicinal potential.
He explained that the aim was to “turn coca leaves into products that are not cocaine, but rather the whole series of products that are known today and that some of them are medicine,” and thus next -confirm the intention to explore the full economic potential of the plant without contributing to the drug trade.
Bonilla also confirmed the need to maintain fiscal control in these types of initiatives, indicating that the Ministry of Agriculture would be the one to accept the financing of the project.
This approach seeks a comprehensive solution that will boost the regional economy through the use of coca leaf derivatives, adding another market that benefits local communities.
Luna denounced “mico” in a draft order on the use of coca leaf
According to the senator, the order proposing the regulation of the use of the coca leaf for medical and scientific purposes would also seek to allow the State to obtain all the coca crops in the country, allegedly the allocation scientifically or medicinally. practice
The draft order, which in principle aims to establish a licensing system for the controlled use of the coca leaf, has raised controversy in the political sectors, especially the opposition, because, according to the senator, this step could help the Government of President Gustavo. Petro implements the proposal that he previously announced, which, from his point of view, would be unconstitutional and illegal.
“Surprisingly, the Government of President Petro is again trying to bypass the law and through an ‘orangutan’ in a draft order trying to allow coca crops that already existed to purchase for research or health purposes. That would allow the proposal made by President Petro with great enthusiasm a few weeks ago to come to fruition, which in my opinion is unconstitutional and illegal,” said Luna.
Likewise, they questioned whether the State could buy all the coca crops, because they fear that this step could be used for other purposes that are not considered in the order and, after allowed, armed groups will benefit from it. law:
“This could mean that public resources end up in the hands of criminal groups who control these crops, such as the Gulf Children, the ELN, General Staff and even terrorist groups across the national such as Hezbollah. So the second question is: with the resources from the taxes paid by Colombia, do you intend to feed the coffers of organizations outside the law”, stressed the Radical Change senator. Infobae
