All assets of Petro and those close to him that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US citizens are blocked and must be reported to OFAC, the Treasury determined.
Mexico City, October 24 (However).- The Treasury Department of USA sanctioned this Friday President of Colombia, Gustavo Petrohis wife and son, after this week Donald Trump described the South American president as drug dealer and stop subsidies to that country. The pressure against the Colombian happens at the same time that aircraft carrier Gerald R. Fordhe mayor warship of USA (EU), heads to Caribbean under orders from the Republican magnate to “fight drug trafficking” in Latin America.
“Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has skyrocketed to its highest level in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” he declared. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to a statement of American dependence. “Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and has refused to stop this activity. Today, President Trump is taking strong action to protect our Nation and make it clear that we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our country,” he added.
As a result of this action, all assets and interests of designated persons located in the United States or in the possession or control of US citizens are blocked and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
This is an escalation of tensions in the region. Since last September 2, US military forces have bombed several boats, allegedly used by organized crime to traffic drugs to the United States, which has already left 40 dead. The attacks, in waters near Venezuela, have raised alarms in the country led by Nicolás Maduro, who has warned that Trump’s objective is actually an intervention to overthrow his Government, elected at the polls last year.
Yesterday, the Colombian Foreign Ministry condemned the most recent of the attacks, this time in the Pacific, which left three dead. The criticism that Petro wrote last week against the US military offensive would have angered Trump, who on Sunday called him a drug trafficker and on Wednesday a “thug.”
Treasury is sanctioning the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, for his role in the global illicit drug trade. Under President Petro, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to record high rates. Petro has provided narco-terrorist organizations with benefits. Under…
— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) October 24, 2025
According to the Treasury indictment, Gustavo Petro, former guerrilla elected President of Colombia in 2022, “has granted benefits to narcoterrorist organizations under the auspices of his ‘total peace’ plan, among other policies, which has led to record levels of coca cultivation and cocaine production. September 15, 2025 “Due to the actions of Gustavo Petro and his henchmen, the president determined that Colombia is an important country of transit or production of illicit drugs and that it is manifestly failing to fulfill its responsibilities in terms of drug control,” he indicated.
The US agency rated the cPetro’s behavior as “erratic” and noted that this has also distanced Colombia from its partners. The Head of State of Colombia has been very vocal regarding the genocide in Gaza and even participated in demonstrations in New York, during his visit to the plenary session of the United Nations (UN), which is why the Trump Government withdrew his visa.
“In 2024, he shared confidential information obtained through secure anti-money laundering communication channels, which threatened the integrity of the international financial system and led to the suspension of the Colombian Financial Intelligence Unit of the Egmont Group. He has also allied himself with the narcoterrorist regime of Nicolás Maduro Moros and the Los Soles Cartel,” the Treasury detailed.
US aircraft carrier threatens the Caribbean
This morning, through his X account, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier and its warships in support of the US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility in South America and the Caribbean.
“In support of the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narcoterrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War has dispatched the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and the carrier’s embarked air wing to the United States Southern Command area of responsibility (AOR),” the spokesperson wrote.
At the same time, he indicated that the objective is to reinforce the presence of US forces in the area to combat illegal activities that compromise the country’s security.
STATEMENT:
In support of the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S.…
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) October 24, 2025