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US imposes sanctions on left-wing Colombian President Petro

October 25, 2025

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of allowing drug trafficking to flourish under his administration. This action marks an escalation in diplomatic tensions between Petro, Colombia's first left-wing leader, and U.S. President Donald Trump, who have already clashed over U.S. strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats. The U.S. Treasury claims cocaine production in Colombia has reached record highs under Petro's leadership, while simultaneously removing Colombia's certification as an ally in the war on drugs.

Who is affected

  • Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his administration
  • Petro's wife and eldest son
  • Colombia's Interior Minister Armando Benedetti
  • Colombian nationals killed in U.S. strikes on boats
  • Americans exposed to increased cocaine influx according to U.S. claims
  • Mexican cartels purchasing Colombian cocaine
  • Colombian drug cartels and related criminal organizations

What action is being taken

  • The U.S. is imposing sanctions on Petro, his family members, and Interior Minister Benedetti
  • The U.S. is removing Colombia's certification as an ally in the war on drugs
  • The U.S. is continuing to train Colombian narcotics agents
  • Colombia is ceasing to buy weapons from the U.S.
  • Petro's administration is facilitating peace negotiations between warring cartels
  • The U.S. is conducting strikes on boats suspected of drug smuggling

Why it matters

  • This represents a significant diplomatic breakdown between traditional allies
  • Colombia is experiencing record-high cocaine production levels according to researchers
  • The sanctions limit access to assets and properties in the U.S. for those targeted
  • Colombia loses access to financial support by losing its certification as a drug war ally
  • Petro's "total peace" campaign promise appears to be collapsing amid violence
  • The dispute highlights fundamentally different approaches to addressing drug trafficking

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

US imposes sanctions on left-wing Colombian President Petro