Colombian President Duque: Drug trafficking is ‘greatest enemy’ to peace

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council for the first time, outgoing Colombian President Iván Duque on Tuesday praised his government’s achievements in peace-building, including steps to re-establish peace. imported more than 12,800 former rebels into society, but he warned that the drug trade remained “the biggest enemy” to achieving peace.

Duque said more than 8,600 of the rebels “walk the wrong path with weapons” are currently engaged in individual or collective projects to generate income related to production, sale and marketing and are building build a better life for their families.

He also cited new development plans for 14 territories that have resulted in more than $4 billion being invested in 70 municipalities with more than 11,000 counties and millions of people, of which 2 million are victims. of violence.

Duque took office in August 2018, less than two years after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC in November 2016. It ended more than 50 wars. The war in Colombia left more than 220,000 people dead and nearly 6 million displaced.

Amnesty laws have been passed that cover most offenses committed by FARC fighters, but Duque said the constitution has been reformed should drug trafficking and kidnapping be linked to political crimes. may be pardoned in the future.

During his four-year presidency, Duque said, the overall rate of murders and kidnappings has been lowered and economic compensation has been paid out to nearly 400,000 victims, which he says “here” It’s also an unprecedented milestone.”

Addressing the panel ahead of Colombia’s May 29 presidential election, where he was not a candidate, Duque said Colombia would defeat violence with justice and obey the law.

“It is sad to see the bloody hands of drug traffickers continue to tear apart parts of Colombia,” Duque said. “The drug trade is the biggest enemy to peace-building in Colombia.”

He said the government has been working on eradication and replacement planting, and last year saw the highest number of drug seizures – 670 tonnes. However, he said drug production continues to increase, and if consuming countries do not share the responsibility and adopt “clearer, more direct public policies, it will continue to be a burden.” painful for the Colombian people.”

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, UN special envoy to Colombia, agrees that progress is being made in the long-term successful reintegration of FARC veterans, including the recent provision of housing and land best.

However, the sustainability of this process still depends on additional efforts, including stopping the violence that still jeopardizes veterans’ plans to build new lives. soldiers.

Violence has also increased in neglected areas including northern Arauca, where more than a hundred people have been killed and thousands displaced this year, Ruiz said. “Violence is taking a particularly high toll on Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities in the form of the increasing homicide, displacement and recruitment of minors.”

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia attacked Duque, accusing him of failing to restore peace in Colombia. Criticism was harsh after Colombia backed two UN General Assembly resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, the withdrawal of all Russian troops from the country and the protection of civilians. Colombia last week also backed a resolution suspending Russia from the UN’s top human rights body, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.

Nebenzia said Russia’s interest in implementing the 2016 peace agreement “is growing every year”. Unfortunately, he said, national reconciliation was not achieved, the government was unable to guarantee the security of peace process participants and community leaders, and the government failed to take power in the regions. rural areas or successfully implement agricultural reform and crop replacement programs. .

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘simply insane’ and ‘a genocide’

Taking to the floor again at the end of the meeting, Duque called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “simply insane” and “a genocide.” He called on the international community to condemn and isolate Russia and support the Ukrainian people.

As for Nebenzia’s criticism, Duque said, “I think it’s important that those who are hurting a country don’t preach peace to the world, while fraternal acts are being carried out. and we all refuse.”

Chris Lu, deputy ambassador to the United States, echoed the latest report by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying that Colombia continues to make “provable progress” in efforts to implement the peace accord and that he says the United States is encouraged that recent legislative elections have taken place with little disruption.

French Deputy Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst called Colombia an example for the international community “in a world rocked by conflicts”.

“The peace agreement is slowly taking root and we hope that it becomes irreversible,” she said. “Its full implementation is the best guarantee for this.”

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