The Treasury Department on Friday announced sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, pictured, his wife, son and an associate for their alleged support of cocaine production and trafficking. File Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) — The Treasury Department announced sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego over cocaine production and smuggling into the United States.
The sanctions include Petro’s wife, first lady Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia, his son Nicolas Petro and “close associate” Armando Benedettie, the Treasury Department announced Friday in a news release.
“Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
“President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity,” Bessent said.
“Today, President [Donald] Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation.”
The sanctions are imposed in accordance with the president’s Executive Order 14059, which targets foreigners who are involved in the global trade of illicit drugs.
The sanctions freeze all property or interests