US places sanctions on Colombian president over alleged failure to stop cartels

Washington imposed sanctions on Colombian president Gustavo Petro, with the US Treasury accusing him of letting drug cartels thrive. Petro fired back on X, saying his government has seized unprecedented amounts of cocaine and calling the move arbitrary and oppressive. The step, rare but not unprecedented against a sitting leader, also hit Petro’s wife, his son, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti; their US assets are frozen and Americans are barred from dealing with them. It follows the State Department’s September revocation of Petro’s visa after protests. A White House spokeswoman warned the US would “close up” Colombia’s “killing fields.”

Reviewed by JQJO team

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