U.S. imposes sanctions on Colombias President and members of the family over drug commerce allegations

The Trump administration on Friday (October 24, 2025) imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his household and a member of his authorities over accusations of involvement within the world drug commerce.

The U.S. Treasury Department leveled the penalties towards Mr. Petro; his spouse, Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia; his son, Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos; and Colombian Interior Minister Armando Alberto Benedetti.

Mr. Petro “has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to cease this exercise,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated. “President Trump is taking robust motion to guard our nation.”

The transfer comes amid lethal U.S. strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats off South America.

“Combating drug trafficking successfully for many years brings me this measure from the federal government of the society we helped a lot to cease its use of cocaine,” Mr. Petro wrote on X. “Quite a paradox, however not one step again and by no means on our knees.”