The government of President Donald Trump sanctioned Colombian President, the communist Gustavo Petro, this Friday and froze all his assets in the United States. The son and wife of the former guerrilla—who are under investigation by Colombian justice—were also sanctioned, as well as a minister from his government.
This way, the Republican administration sanctions the current head of state and officially includes him on the so-called Clinton List, a registry maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Treasury Department to sanction individuals and entities linked to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Petro will see his assets or interests on U.S. soil immediately blocked and reported to that country's Treasury. In addition, any company or corporation in which the head of state, his wife Verónica Alcocer, his son Nicolás Petro, or Minister Armando Benedetti hold a stake equal to or greater than 50% is also subject to freezing.
Trump sancionó al comunista de Petro: le congeló todos los bienes en los EEUU a él y a su familia
The United States statement that destroys Petro
The official statement from the U.S. Treasury announcing this measure describes Petro as a former guerrilla allied with Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and the Cartel of the Suns who "has provided benefits to narcoterrorist organizations" and who has led "to record levels in coca cultivation and cocaine production in his country".
"Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has soared to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans," reads part of the document quoting the words spoken by Secretary Scott Bessent.
"President Petro has allowed drug cartels to thrive and has refused to stop this activity. Today, President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make it clear that we won't tolerate drug trafficking in our nation," it continues.
This statement also explains that the coffee-producing country remains the world's leading producer and exporter of cocaine, a substance often purchased by Mexican cartels, who then smuggle it into the United States through the southern border.
Trump sancionó al comunista de Petro: le congeló todos los bienes en los EEUU a él y a su familia
