The United States has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family, and a senior minister, citing concerns over the country’s alleged role in enabling drug cartels. According to the US Treasury Department, cocaine production in Colombia has increased significantly since Petro took office in 2022, resulting in a substantial influx of narcotics into North America.

The sanctions, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, target Petro, his wife Verónica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia, his son Nicolas, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti. The penalties freeze any assets they may hold in the US and prohibit American entities from dealing with them. The US government claims that Petro’s administration has allowed drug cartels to flourish, leading to a surge in cocaine production and trafficking.

Petro has denied the allegations, stating that his administration has made record progress in seizing cocaine and dismantling criminal networks. In a social media post, he claimed that his government has seized more cocaine than any previous administration in Colombian history. Petro described the US sanctions as “an arbitrariness typical of an oppressive regime” and emphasized that Colombia will not be intimidated.

The sanctions come amid heightened tensions between the US and Colombia over the issue of drug trafficking. The US has recently carried out strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people. Colombia has condemned the strikes, urging the US to respect international law.

The US government’s decision to impose sanctions on Petro and his associates reflects the ongoing concerns over the flow of narcotics from Colombia into North America. The situation is likely to further strain relations between the two countries, with potential implications for regional security and cooperation. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Colombia will respond to the sanctions and how the US will continue to address the issue of drug trafficking in the region.