Colombia Threatens to Sue Walmart for Selling Cocaine-Themed Holiday Sweater

The week isn't over for Colombia as they were confronted with another offensive publicity stunt - this time coming from Walmart.

The Colombian government has threatened to sue Walmart for selling a Christmas sweater that associates the country with drugs, according to a report published in Remezcla.

The holiday-themed sweater, sold at the Walmart Canada's online portal by a company called FUN Wear, was advertised as "Men's Let it Snow Ugly Christmas Sweater." It features a wide-eyed snowy Santa Claus behind a table with three white lines that look similar to "grade A Colombian" cocaine lines.

Moreover, the description posted at the website reads: "We all know how snow works. It's white, powdery and the best snow comes straight from South America. That's bad news for jolly old St. Nick, who lives far away in the North Pole. That's why Santa really likes to savor the moment when he gets his hands on some quality, grade A Colombian snow."

In a report by CNN, the retail company's spokesperson said on Monday that they have removed the apparel from their marketplace. "These sweaters, sold by a third-party seller on Walmart.ca (our website in Canada), do not represent Walmart's values and have no place on our website... We apologize for any unintended offense this may have caused. These sweaters were not offered on Walmart.com in the U.S."

Additionally, Walmart removed other insensitive holiday-themed merchandise from the same seller.

Although Walmart Marketplace is operated by Walmart, they do not own the products being sold on the said portal, rather, they approve third-party sellers to utilize their website for commercial purposes.

Despite the public apology, Colombia's National Agency for Legal Defense of the State has demanded that Walmart compensate Colombia for the offense the caused by the incident.

Camilo Gómez Alzate, director of the agency, said, "The Walmart sweater is an offense to the country." "It generates damage to the legal products of Colombia and damage to the country's reputation. Although Walmart apologized, the damage was done."

Gómez added, they would file a lawsuit if the retailer fails to comply with these conditions.

"Colombia must be respected," the legal defense director stressed. "What will the family of a person who died in the fight against drug trafficking feel when a firm like Walmart promotes a bag of cocaine from Colombia?"

In can be recalled that on Sunday, during the Miss Universe pageant in Atlanta, legendary host-comedian Steve Harvey joked about the country's cartel after Miss Colombia Gabriela Tafur was announced as part of the top 20, according to a report by Latin Post.

"You've forgiven me. The cartel has not. They're not handling it the same way," said Harvey.

The joke was not taken positively by the audience. Moreover, people brought their disappointment on social media saying the joke was not only disrespectful but unacceptable and unnecessary.

Colombia's association to drugs might be rooted from its extensive history of drug trafficking. Studies show that Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer. Moreover, the media has mainstreamed its drug barons, Pablo Escobar and José Rodríguez Gacha who were long considered by authorities to be among the most dangerous, wealthy and powerful men in the world.

If you're interested in Cocaine Santa merchandise, you can find the products on amazon.com.