The US has imposed drug-trafficking sanctions on Colombian President Petro and his family

The Trump administration’s Treasury Department sanctioned Colombia’s president on Friday Gustavo Francisco PetroHis wife, son and close associate accused the group of involvement in the global illegal drug trade.

The crackdown was carried out under an executive order from the Biden administration targeting foreigners involved in the drug trade.

Petro joins several other world leaders under Treasury sanctions, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urego was sanctioned by the US Treasury. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

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“From President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia rose to its highest level in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” Treasury Secretary Scott Besant wrote in a news release. “President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and has refused to stop this activity.”

Petro responded to the announcement on X, calling the approval a “total contradiction”.

“Indeed, Bernie Moreno’s threat has come true; my children, my wife and I have been added to the OFAC list,” Petro wrote in a post. “My lawyer for my defense will be Danny Kowalik from the USA. For decades fighting drug trafficking and effectively getting these measures from the government of the community, we helped a lot to curb their cocaine consumption. A complete contradiction, but not a step back and never kneeling.”

The Treasury has accused Petro, his wife Veronica, eldest son Nicolas and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti of involvement in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, which it says is fueling violence, corruption and instability in Colombia, as well as “significant challenges to regional and international security.”

“Colombia remains the world’s top producer and exporter of cocaine,” officials wrote in a statement. “Cocaine in Colombia is often purchased by Mexican cartels, who then smuggle it across the southern border into the United States. Despite Gustavo Petro’s recent use of the drug, comparing it to whiskey, it is a scheduled substance that poses a significant drug threat to the United States.”

Petro, a former guerrilla member, was elected president of Colombia in 2022.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he had appointed an American lawyer. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

The department accused of providing Narco-terrorist organization With benefits under the auspices of his “Complete Peace” plan, among other policies, officials said coca cultivation and cocaine production have reached record highs.

The Treasury also alleges that Petro has linked himself to Maduro and the Cartel de los Soules, which is under US sanctions.

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“Gustavo Petro’s erratic behavior has further distanced Colombia from its partners in additional ways,” officials wrote. “In 2024, he shared confidential information obtained through secure anti-money laundering communication channels, which threatened the integrity of the international financial system and led to the suspension of Colombia’s financial intelligence unit from the Egmont Group.”

Nicolas, Petro’s son and political heir, was indicted in 2023 Money Laundering and Illegal Enrichment He is accused of using money from drug traffickers to fund his father’s “total peace” efforts and election campaign.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro was passed along with his family and an aide. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

He later confessed to taking dirty money from a man involved in drug trafficking and the son of a contractor on trial for financing paramilitaries, according to officials.

President Donald Trump On September 15, Colombia was determined to be a major drug transit or major illicit drug producing country, as it is “manifestly failing” to meet its drug control obligations.

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Property and assets owned by those sanctioned, located in the US or controlled by persons in the US. is frozen and must be reported to OFAC. Sanctioned 50% or more owned entities are also frozen, and US citizens are generally prohibited from engaging in related transactions.

While violations may result in civil or criminal penalties, OFAC may impose civil penalties on a strict liability basis.

Chief Deputy Spokesman Tommy Pigott added the Secretary of State Marco Rubio The Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs will not certify Colombia under the criteria of the 2024 Appropriations Act, as carried forward by the Full-Year Current Appropriations Act, 2025.

“The United States will not turn a blind eye to the appeasement of Petro and the encouragement of narco-terrorists,” Pigott wrote in a statement. “We are committed to bringing terrorists and drug traffickers to justice and preventing dangerous illegal drugs from entering our country. There should be no impunity for terrorist acts or violence by drug traffickers or criminal armed groups.”

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“We stand firm in our support Colombian Security ForcesIts judiciary and departmental and municipal authorities and we will continue to partner with them in our joint efforts to fight drug trafficking,” he added. “Today’s decision is not a reflection of these institutions but of the failure and incompetence of Gustavo Petro and his inner circle.”

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, reacted to the announcement on X, “FAFO,” an acronym that stands for f— around and find out.