The US has placed sanctions on Colombia's left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, accusing him of failing to curb drug trafficking.
President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a release.
The sanctions also target Colombia's Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, along with Petro's wife and eldest son, barring them from accessing any assets or properties they may hold in the US.
Once a steadfast ally in Washington’s war on drugs, Colombia has faced increasing tensions with the US, particularly since Petro and Trump began clashing after Trump's return to power.
Bessent pointed out that cocaine production in Colombia has surged under Petro's presidency, reaching levels not seen in decades, leading to a significant influx of the drug into the US.
He further emphasized that Trump is committed to taking strong measures to combat drug trafficking.
The US Treasury categorized Colombia as the world's leading cocaine exporter, labeling it as a major drug threat to the US.
In a recent statement, the state department announced it would not recognize Colombia's counter-narcotics efforts.
Petro has rejected the US's claims and, in a post on X, declared that he has fought against drug trafficking for many years and has contributed to a decrease in cocaine consumption in the US.
A complete paradox - but not one step back, and never on our knees, he asserted.
In recent months, US military operations have intensified in the Caribbean, targeting vessels purportedly involved in drug transportation.
Last week, Trump announced the suspension of financial aid and subsidies to Colombia, following Petro's criticisms of U.S. airstrikes against suspected drug boats in international waters, which he branded as acts of tyranny.
Sanctioning a head of state is a rare occurrence, with past instances involving leaders from countries like Russia, North Korea, and Venezuela.
