Key Facts

• The decline of left-wing rebels in Colombia has created a power vacuum that has been filled by gangsters who have capitalized on the lucrative cocaine trade, significantly increasing production and sales.
• The cocaine produced in Colombia is now being sold in large quantities to countries in Europe and Asia, fueling a growing demand for the illicit substance.
• The new players dominating the cocaine trade in Colombia are largely made up of gangsters who have taken advantage of the power vacuum created by the decline of the left-wing rebels.
• The resurgence of cocaine production and trade in Colombia has significant implications for global efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and organized crime.
• Prior to the current boom, Colombia had made significant strides in reducing cocaine production and trafficking, which had been largely driven by the left-wing rebels, but the current trend threatens to undermine these gains.