US Treasury Sanctions Colombian President Petro Citing Drug Links

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, son, and Interior Minister, accusing them of links to illicit drug trafficking. This move follows President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of Colombia as a "cocaine den" and his labeling of Petro as a "scoundrel and bandit," alongside halting all U.S. funding to Colombia. Petro responded by defending his anti-drug efforts and controversially suggested referring to drug traffickers as "drug trafficking workers," citing poverty and local conditions. The sanctions and Trump's rhetoric mark a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries, with Trump also accusing Venezuela of facilitating drug and illegal immigrant flows into the U.S. The U.S. administration equates drug cartels with terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al Qaeda and has vowed to take aggressive action against them, including potential military measures. These developments reflect a broader U.S. strategy to combat drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere, with Colombia at the center of the controversy.