U.S. Sanctions Colombian President Gustavo Petro

The United States on Oct. 24 imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, his son and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, accusing them of allowing drug cartels to flourish and failing to stop cocaine flows to the U.S. Treasury official Scott Bessent said cocaine production has surged under Petro and that the measures were taken under authorities targeting those involved in the global illicit drug trade; Washington also halted aid and revoked Petro’s U.S. visa. The move follows months of clashes between the two governments, including U.S. strikes on alleged drug‑trafficking boats and mutual accusations. Petro and his allies have denied the allegations, vowed to fight the sanctions, retained U.S. legal counsel, and called the measures unjust. The rare targeting of a sitting head of state risks further rupturing cooperation on drugs and regional security.