Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Oct 25: The United States on Friday announced sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, and son, accusing the leader of failing to curb illicit drug trafficking.

“President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent while unveiling the move. He added, “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.”

The sanctions come amid a growing spat between Petro and former US President Donald Trump. Petro had accused the US of “carrying out extrajudicial executions” by targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats, claiming these actions violate international law. According to AFP, the US has destroyed 10 vessels and killed at least 43 people in less than two months.

Colombia had demanded an end to the attacks, infuriating Trump, who labeled Petro a “thug” and a drug trafficker. Trump also announced a halt to hundreds of millions of dollars in US aid to Colombia and threatened tariffs on Colombian goods.

In response to the sanctions, Petro posted defiantly on social media, saying, “Not one step back and never on my knees,” echoing slogans used by Latin American revolutionaries.

The sanctions were imposed citing Petro’s involvement in the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. During a media briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington was not “seeing de-escalation from the unhinged leader of Colombia right now.”