During a meeting of regional leaders in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Colombian President Gustavo Petro made a bold statement, asserting that the anti-drug policies of the United States have led to a "genocide" in Latin America. Petro criticized the US strategy for its heavy emphasis on repression rather than prevention and public health, attributing it to the dramatic and failed outcomes observed across the region.
Joined by other leaders such as Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Petro's remarks drew attention to the escalating tensions in Latin America. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the efforts of Latin American leaders in pursuing peace but also expressed concern over the violent situation in Ecuador, particularly in combating drug trafficking.
Additionally, Guterres reiterated the urgent need for international assistance in Haiti, which faces mounting challenges from armed gangs controlling significant portions of the country. The UN Security Council is set to vote on a resolution authorizing the deployment of non-UN troops to Haiti amidst ongoing instability and violence, highlighting the severity of the situation in the Caribbean nation.
