The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of “complicity in the global illicit drug trade”. The restrictions also apply to his wife, son and close associate. This is reported in an official press release of the US Treasury Department.
“Colombia remains the world’s largest producer and exporter of cocaine. Cocaine from Colombia is often purchased by Mexican cartels, who then smuggle it into the US across the southern border. This substance poses a serious threat to the United States, the report said.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said that since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has “increased to record levels”, which has led to an increase in the flow of drugs to the United States, thus “poisoning Americans”.
“President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop these activities. Today, President Trump is taking decisive action to protect our country and making it clear that we will not tolerate illegal drug trafficking in our country, ”Bessent added.
As a reminder, on October 19, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that the Pentagon had destroyed a vessel and killed three people “in the area of responsibility of the US Southern Command, which includes the Caribbean region.” According to him, the vessel was associated with the National Liberation Army and was engaged in illegal drug trafficking, but he did not provide evidence of this.
After that, Donald Trump called the Colombian president “an illegal drug lord who actively encourages the mass production of drugs on large and small plantations throughout Colombia.” He also announced the suspension of all payments to South America.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry called Trump’s statements offensive and a direct threat to the country’s sovereignty. The statement stressed that these accusations are “an extremely serious act that undermines the dignity of the president of the Colombian people.” In response to the words of the American leader, Gustavo Petro said that the destroyed ship belonged to a “humble family.”
On October 20, Colombia announced the recall of its ambassador from the United States after Donald Trump’s statements.
