US Sanctions Colombian President Gustavo Petro Amid Drug Trafficking Crisis

Sat Dec 20 2025 23:15:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has imposed sanctions on Colombia's left-wing President Gustavo Petro and several of his family members, citing a failure to combat escalating drug trafficking in the country.

The US Treasury has placed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of failing to curb drug trafficking and allowing cartels to flourish. Sanctions also extend to his Interior Minister and family. While the US has traditionally supported Colombia in its anti-drug efforts, relations have soured under Petro's leadership. He has denied the allegations, asserting his long-standing commitment to fighting drug trafficking.

The US has placed 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 stated.

Alongside Petro, sanctions have also targeted Colombia's Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, as well as Petro's wife and eldest son, blocking their access to US assets and properties.

Once a close ally in Washington's war on drugs, Colombia's relationship with the US has deteriorated under Petro, especially following frequent clashes with former president Donald Trump.

Bessent highlighted a significant rise in cocaine production since Petro's administration, claiming it has reached the highest levels in decades, thus exacerbating issues in the US.

Petro refuted these accusations on social media, defending his track record against drug trafficking and condemning US actions in a recent declaration.

Sanctions on a head of state are rare but have been imposed on leaders from nations like Russia and North Korea in the past.