Colombia and US Cooperate on Cocaine Trafficking

The BBC joined Colombian commandos on a mission to destroy cocaine labs in the jungle. Colombia is the world's largest supplier of cocaine, with the crop covering an area nearly twice the size of Greater London. The commandos, trained by Britain's SAS, face resistance from criminal groups and former guerrillas. Despite the efforts, the labs can be rebuilt quickly, but the commandos insist that destroying them affects the profitability of the criminal groups. The article also highlights the struggles of local farmers who grow coca plants to feed their families, and the complexities of the cocaine trade, with the Colombian government facing criticism from the US for not doing enough to prevent cocaine from reaching American streets.

The Colombian Navy seized 115.7 kilograms of cocaine worth $5.6 million from a 'go-fast' vessel fleeing from authorities in the Pacific Ocean. The crew threw the drugs into the sea as they were approached, and naval officials recovered 116 packages. The seizure occurred as Colombian President Gustavo Petro met with President Trump at the White House, amid strained relations between the two countries over Colombia's cocaine production. The Trump administration has been conducting military operations against alleged drug-ferrying boats, resulting in over 100 deaths. Despite tensions, Colombia has recently announced several major drug busts.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking a significant shift from their previous hostile exchanges. Despite months of trading insults, the meeting ended on a cordial note, with both leaders expressing mutual respect and a willingness to cooperate on issues like drug trafficking. Petro shared photos on social media of Trump signing his book 'The Art of the Deal' and gifting him a Maga cap, while Trump described the meeting as 'very productive' and 'fantastic'. The two leaders discussed tackling drug trafficking, with Petro highlighting Colombia's efforts to seize cocaine and extraditing a major drug gang leader to the US. However, there was no immediate announcement on Petro's removal from the US Treasury's 'Clinton list' due to alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade.