US sanctions Colombian President Petro over drug trafficking claims

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US announced on Friday that it imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his administration's alleged failure to combat the illicit drug trade.

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the designation also includes restrictions on Petro's immediate family and close associates.

“Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

Bessent said Petro "has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity."

"Today, President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation," he added.