Overview
- The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Gustavo Petro to its illicit-drugs sanctions list under Executive Order 14059.
- The listing also covers First Lady Verónica Alcocer, Petro’s son Nicolás Petro, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti.
- All property and interests of the designated individuals in the United States or held by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said cocaine production in Colombia reached decades-high levels under Petro, which he cited as the basis for the action.
- Petro rejected the allegations as an “absolute paradox” and retained U.S. attorney Daniel Kovalik, who argues the move is politically motivated.