US Sanctions Colombian President Petro amid Rising Cocaine Production & Increased Military Presence
The United States has escalated tensions with Colombia by imposing sanctions on President Gustavo petro, accusing his governance of failing to curb the flow of cocaine into the US.The move, announced Friday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, follows a halt to anti-drug payments to colombia earlier this week, with former President Trump labeling Petro an “illegal drug boss.”
According to US officials, cocaine production in Colombia has reached record highs under Petro’s leadership, contributing to a surge in narcotics reaching American markets. Bessent stated,”Since President Gustavo Petro came to power,cocaine production in Colombia has risen to the highest level in decades,flooding the United States and poisoning Americans.” He emphasized that the Trump administration will ”not tolerate the smuggling of drugs into our country.”
Colombia remains the world’s largest exporter of cocaine, with coca cultivation – the raw material for cocaine production – hitting an all-time high last year, as reported by the United Nations.
President Petro responded to the sanctions via a post on X, stating that Colombia has been battling the drug trade for decades and characterizing the US action as paradoxical. the sanctions also extend to members of Petro’s inner circle, including his wife and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti.
Together, the US is increasing its military presence in the region. Following Trump’s proclamation of potential ground action in Venezuela – also accused of drug smuggling – Defense Chief Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to South American waters, substantially bolstering the US military footprint.
The US military is actively conducting strikes against vessels suspected of narcotics trafficking. A recent airstrike on Friday resulted in six fatalities, attributed by Hegseth to the Venezuelan tren de Aragua gang. The Associated Press reports that the US military campaign targeting these alleged drug smuggling ships has resulted in at least 46 deaths.
