WASHINGTON, 25 October (H.S.): The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, and his son, in a dramatic escalation of a deepening feud between the two historic allies over the fight against drug trafficking.The move, announced by the U.S. Treasury Department, targets President Petro for what Washington describes as his failure to curb the proliferation of illicit drugs.
President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity, said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement. He added that the action was taken to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation.
The sanctions also extend to Colombia’s interior minister.The announcement drew a swift and defiant response from the Colombian leader. In a message posted on social media, President Petro declared, Not one step back and never on my knees, vowing to challenge the sanctions.
He asserted that his government has been effectively combating drug trafficking for years.These sanctions represent a new low in the increasingly acrimonious relationship between President Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump. Tensions have been simmering for months, fueled by disputes over U.S. anti-drug operations, immigration, and human rights.
President Trump had previously threatened to levy tariffs on Colombian goods and announced a halt to hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to the South American nation.The U.S. government has accused President Petro’s total peace plan, an initiative aimed at negotiating with armed groups, of enabling a surge in coca cultivation and cocaine production to record highs.
Historically one of Washington’s closest partners in Latin America, Colombia’s relationship with the U.S. has grown strained, leading to the recall of its ambassador from Washington. The sanctions place President Petro in a small group of world leaders who have been personally targeted by the U.S., including the presidents of Venezuela and Russia.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
