Colombia's President Gustavo Petro Reacts to Trump's Sanctions

Colombian President Gustavo Petro lashed out Friday after the Trump administration imposed sweeping sanctions against him, his family and a top cabinet member, accusing them of aiding the global drug trade. The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury Department, mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington, and previously, a South American ally.

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Petro, his wife, Verónica Alcocer, his son, Nicolás Petro, and Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti.

President Donald Trump said Petro "has allowed drug cartels to flourish," describing the move as part of his administration's effort to block narcotics from entering the United States. Petro fired back on social media, calling the sanctions "a paradox" and vowing that Colombia would take "not one step back and never on our knees."

Petro said he had appointed an attorney to represent him in the United States.

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This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM.