Colombian President Iván Duque on Maduro, drugs and the economy

Synopsis

When Iván Duque is sworn in as Colombia's president, he becomes the youngest elected leader in over a century. He faces longstanding issues stemming from the civil conflict with Marxist rebels and the implementation of the 2016 peace deal. Cocaine production reaches an all-time high, complicating his efforts. Duque emphasizes the importance of allowing former combatants to reintegrate into society and ensuring justice for victims. He highlights the need for perpetrators to acknowledge their crimes, particularly those involving child recruitment and trafficking. Additionally, the crisis in neighboring Venezuela forces over a million migrants into Colombia, adding to the challenges Duque must address. In a recent interview, he discusses the war on drugs and the difficulties posed by halted aerial spraying, which has led to increased coca cultivation.