The Trump administration’s Treasury Department has sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro, along with his wife, son, and a close associate, accusing the group of being involved in the global illicit drug trade. The action was taken under a Biden administration executive order targeting individuals engaged in narcotics trafficking, as part of a broader strategy to combat drug-related activities worldwide.
The Treasury Department’s statement emphasized that since Petro assumed the presidency in 2022, cocaine production in Colombia has surged to its highest levels in decades, leading to a significant influx of the drug into the United States. Officials argue that Petro’s policies have inadvertently created an environment that has allowed drug cartels to thrive, despite his public rhetoric about cracking down on drug trafficking. The Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, criticized Petro’s approach, stating that his administration has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to address the issue directly.
Petro has responded to the sanctions by calling them a ‘complete paradox,’ arguing that the measures are the result of his efforts to reduce cocaine consumption in the United States. He stated that his family has been added to the OFAC list, which he believes is a consequence of his commitment to fighting drug trafficking. He also mentioned that his lawyer, Dany Kovalik, will represent him in the legal battle, emphasizing that the sanctions are a reflection of the government’s failure to curb drug consumption.
As part of the sanctions, the Treasury Department accused Petro, his wife Veronica, eldest son Nicolás, and Minister of Interior Armando Benedetti of being involved in narcotics trafficking and narcoterrorism. The department emphasized that these activities have not only fueled violence, corruption, and instability in Colombia but also pose significant threats to regional and international security. Officials highlighted that Colombia remains the world’s top producer and exporter of cocaine, which is often purchased by Mexican cartels and smuggled into the United States via the southern border.
The Treasury also alleged that Petro has allied himself with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is also under U.S. sanctions, and the Cartel de Los Soles, further complicating the situation for Colombian authorities and international partners. The department criticized Petro’s leadership for driving Colombia further apart from its allies and partners, particularly after he shared confidential information obtained through secure anti-money laundering communication channels, which led to the suspension of Colombia’s Financial Intelligence Unit from The Egmont Group.
Petro’s son, Nicolás, was charged in 2023 with money laundering and illicit enrichment over allegations that he funneled money received from drug traffickers into his father’s ‘total peace’ efforts and election campaign. He later admitted to receiving dirty money from a person formerly involved in narcotics trafficking and the son of a contractor on trial for financing paramilitaries. These allegations have added to the scrutiny surrounding Petro’s administration and its handling of drug-related issues.
President Donald Trump, who previously determined that Colombia was a major drug transit country, has expressed his disapproval of Petro’s policies, calling him a ‘lunatic’ and vowing to end all U.S. payments over drugs. The sanctions also mark a significant shift in the U.S. government’s approach to combating drug trafficking, as it continues to target world leaders and organizations involved in the illicit drug trade. The Treasury Department has made it clear that it will not turn a blind eye to Petro’s actions, emphasizing its commitment to bringing terrorists and drug traffickers to justice.