Venezuelan Minister of Interior and Justice
Illicit drugs use soars in the US

June 30, 2008 – The Minister of the People’s Power for Interior and Justice of Venezuela, Ramón Rodríguez Chacín told a press conference the concern of the Venezuelan Government about the results appearing in the UN report on world drugs use.

The Minister called hypocritical the statements issued by the US Ambassador to Colombia William Brownfield according to which there has been a “geometrical increase” in the amount of illicit drugs using Venezuela as a bridge.

In contrast, Minister said that Venezuela “is also very concerned” about the increase of the use of drugs in the US “and the increase of cocaine production in Colombia.” In this connection, he presented figures reflecting the largest users and producers of illicit drugs worldwide – The United States is the largest marihuana and cocaine consumer. Europe ranked second.

As to production of illicit drugs production, the UN report states that Colombia is in the top of the list of largest producers and dealers of cocaine.

He concluded that the report also states that Venezuela is the fourth country in drugs seizure and for that reason the capabilities developed in Venezuela in this subject have been acknowledged by the organisation.

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