The global cocaine market is experiencing a period of record supply, with prices falling and drug quality improving, according to an analysis by German magazine Der Spiegel, cited by European media outlets.
According to the European Drug Agency (EUDA), the average purity of street cocaine in Europe has risen to 80-96% in recent years, while retail prices have fallen. Frankfurt am Main is cited as an example, where, according to experts, a gram costs around €30-50, whereas a few years ago the price was around €100.
One of the key reasons cited is the situation in Colombia. Following the government’s peace agreement with the FARC rebel group in 2016, the area of coca plantations in the country increased by about 73% and is now comparable to the territory of two Berlins, according to Der Spiegel.
Increased competition between cartels and “logistics optimization” have led to larger volumes of purer product entering Europe, shifting the balance between supply and demand. Experts interviewed by Der Spiegel describe this as a “white tsunami,” pointing to the growth in the number of consumers in Europe and the Americas, which is also reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
International organizations emphasize that the expansion of the cocaine market is accompanied by an increase in related risks, from organized crime to serious health consequences, and call on governments to strengthen prevention and addiction treatment programs.
According to estimates by narcologists, long-term cocaine use leads to severe addiction, increased anxiety, depression, and psychosis, raises blood pressure, and sharply increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. It causes chronic damage to the nasal septum and lungs (when snorted or smoked), reduces libido, and often leads to social consequences such as job loss, debt, and family conflicts, as well as an increased risk of HIV and hepatitis when injected.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2023, at least 25 million people worldwide used cocaine, up from 17 million a decade ago, and the retail turnover of the global cocaine market, according to a study by Global Financial Integrity, was estimated at between $100 billion and $143 billion per year in 2017 and, according to experts, could have doubled since then.
The government action plan for 2024 envisages measures to open Ukrainian embassies in the Philippines, Colombia, Panama, Guyana, Paraguay and Uruguay.
According to the Government Action Plan, during 2024 it is planned to undertake administrative, organizational and financial measures to start the activities of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of the Philippines. It is also planned to start the process of opening embassies in Colombia, Panama, Guyana, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is noted that it is envisaged to open one full-time consular office of Ukraine and five non-staff consular offices.
COLOMBIA, embassies, Guyana, PANAMA, PARAGUAY, PHILIPPINES, URUGUAY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree appointing Andriy Melnyk as Ukraine’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Brazil.
The corresponding decree № 341/2023 is published on the website of the President.
In addition, by the decree № 340/2023 Ambassador of Ukraine to Peru Yuriy Polukhovich was appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Colombia concurrently.
By Decree №339/2023 Oleksandr Polishchuk was appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to India.
Andriy Melnyk served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine from 2022 to 2023, before that he was Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany (from 2014 to 2022).
Yuriy Polyukhovich has represented Ukraine in Peru since December 2022. Previously, he served as Acting Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (from March 10 to March 25, 2020).
Oleksandr Polishchuk has served as Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine since October 2019. He was Ukraine’s representative in the Trilateral Contact Group in the working subgroup on security issues. He holds the rank of Major General.
Kyiv-based producer of blood-derived products Biopharma is to boost exports by 60% in August 2018 year-over-year, to UAH 130 million. Exports in August will be 40% higher than the monthly average indicator during the year, the company’s press service said. In August 2018, the company will ship, in addition to Ukraine, to markets of 10 countries, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, India, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Middle East countries, as well as to Slovakia, Mongolia, and Bangladesh. It should be noted that Biopharma’s products will be delivered to Bangladesh and Colombia for the first time. The company’s plans include the expansion of its presence in the European markets.
Biopharma immunobiological pharmaceutical company is one of the ten largest Ukrainian producers of medicines. It produces more than 20 immunobiological preparations from donated blood, preparations obtained with the use of recombinant DNA technology and probiotics.
In 2015, the company invested $3.5 million in the reconstruction of Sumy region’s blood center, which currently accounts for 98.2% of donated blood in the region.
Biopharma plans to launch a plasma fractionation plant in 2018. The Biopharma Group of Companies includes LLC Biopharma Invest, LLC Biopharma Plasma Invest, LLC Biopharma Plasma, and LLC Fractionation Plant FZ Biopharma.
Ukraine can conclude agreements on the abolition of visas with four Latin American countries in the near future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has said.
“We are working to ensure that the geography of visa-free travel is extended for Ukrainians. Today, citizens of Ukraine can travel without visas to 85 countries of the world,” head of the Consular and Legal Affairs Department, Deputy Head of the Consular Service Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Serhiy Miniaylo said at the round table talk titled “Ukraine’s European Choice after the Revolution of Dignity: Opportunities and Problems” in Kyiv on Friday.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled that not long ago agreements were reached with the UAE and Qatar on simplifying the visa regime.
Minayylo said that there are prospects for concluding agreements on the abolition of visa obligations with Peru, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico.
“The possibility of drawing up agreements on the abolition of the visa regime in the near future was discussed with the four countries of the region of [Latin America] in detail. These are Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia. There were substantive discussions in Mexico,” he explained.
