In brief
The US government has sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro, blaming him for allowing drug cartels to thrive and increasing cocaine production in Colombia. Along with Petro, several family members and government officials are also targeted. This decision marks a significant shift in US diplomacy toward Colombia, historically a partner in the war on drugs, amid rising tensions between Petro and the Biden administration.
The US has imposed sanctions on Colombia's left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, accusing him of failing to curb drug trafficking.
President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
Sanctions have also been imposed on Colombia's Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, as well as Petro's wife and eldest son. They include barring them from accessing assets and properties they may have in the US.
Colombia was once a close ally of Washington's war on drugs, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars annually in military assistance. However, Petro has often clashed with US officials since taking office.
Bessent noted that since Petro, a former guerrilla, took power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans.
The Treasury claims Colombia poses a significant drug threat to the US, with the country being the world's top exporter of cocaine. In a subsequent statement, the state department refused to certify Colombia's counter-narcotics efforts.
In response, Petro denied the accusations, stating he has fought drug trafficking for decades. He described the US's harsh stance as a complete paradox and vowed to not back down.
Recently, the US military increased its presence in the Caribbean, allegedly targeting vessels associated with drug trafficking. Following Petro's condemnation of these actions, Trump announced the suspension of payments and subsidies to Colombia.
While imposing sanctions on a head of state is rare, it has happened to leaders of various countries in the past, including Russia and North Korea.
