High-Ranking US Narcotics Official Sets Off on Four-Day Colombia Trip Amid Record Coca Production

Amid recent reports that Colombia has set a new all-time high for coca production, a high-ranking US official has traveled to the Andean nation on a formal state visit.

Todd D. Robinson, assistant secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), reportedly arrived in Colombia on September 25 for what is planned as a four-day stay in Colombia, according to the US State Department.

On his agenda is co-leading the US delegation to the U.S.-Colombia Counternarcotics Working Group (CNWG) in Bogotá alongside Adam Cohen, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Marcela Escobari, assistant administrator of the USAID bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, will also participate in the event.

Robinson will also “meet with Colombian officials and partners” and “discuss shared counternarcotics challenges and opportunities for greater collaboration with Colombian counterparts,” according to the US State Department.

“Throughout his visit, the assistant secretary will review INL programming that supports Colombian efforts to reduce drug production and trafficking, counter environmental crimes such as illegal mining, and strengthen the rule of law and human rights,” said the US agency.