US Imposes Sanctions on Colombian President Petro Over Drug Trade

The U.S. Treasury Department, under President Donald Trump's administration, has imposed financial sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family, and close ally Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, accusing them of involvement in the illicit global drug trade and enabling the rise of cocaine production to record levels. These sanctions, which freeze their U.S. assets and prohibit transactions with American entities, mark a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Bogotá amid disputes over drug enforcement strategies. Trump labeled Petro an "illegal drug leader" and claimed he allowed drug cartels to flourish, while Petro condemned the sanctions as paradoxical and vowed to fight them with legal representation in the U.S. Analysts suggest the sanctions target Petro personally rather than Colombia as a whole, signaling a focused punitive message from the U.S. The dispute follows accusations from Petro that U.S. military actions violated Colombian sovereignty and harmed innocent civilians, further straining bilateral relations. This development highlights the deepening diplomatic rift and the complex dynamics of U.S.-Colombia cooperation on drug trafficking issues.