The United States has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia, their son Nicolas Petro, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the move, citing Petro’s alleged failure to curb drug trafficking and the surge in cocaine production since he took office.

Sanctions Details

The U.S. Treasury claims that Colombia’s cocaine output has reached its highest level in decades under Petro’s administration. The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets of the listed individuals and prohibit U.S. citizens from conducting transactions with them.

U.S. Leadership Response

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the measures demonstrate the U.S. commitment to combating international drug trafficking. President Donald Trump described Petro as “a rogue actor” and accused him of permitting excessive drug production, emphasizing that all U.S. payments to Colombia would be suspended.

Impact on Bilateral Relations

The sanctions mark a major strain in U.S.-Colombia relations. Trump administration officials warned that continued non-compliance on drug enforcement could result in further economic and diplomatic penalties.

Regional Drug Flow Concerns

U.S. authorities claim that narcotics produced in Colombia are trafficked through Mexico into the United States. Officials suggest that the sanctions aim to curb this flow and pressure the Colombian government to take action against cartels.