Why it matters:
The sanctions represent a significant escalation in Washington’s confrontational stance toward Latin America’s progressive governments. Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, has openly challenged U.S. drug-war policies and called for a new regional approach rooted in public health and sovereignty. Critics say the sanctions reflect a broader pattern of U.S. aggression toward governments that reject its neoliberal agenda.
The big picture:
The sanctions come amid U.S. military strikes on alleged "drug boats" in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have killed dozens. While Washington claims the vessels were linked to Venezuela, Colombia has condemned the campaign and urged respect for international law. The timing of the sanctions raises questions about whether Petro’s vocal opposition to U.S. militarism played a role in the decision.
Zoom in:
The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, claimed that cocaine production in Colombia has “exploded” under Petro, blaming him for “poisoning Americans.”
Petro responded on X, saying his administration has “seized more cocaine than any in the entire history of the world.”
He condemned the sanctions as “arbitrary” and “typical of an oppressive regime,” adding: “We do not kneel, we are not a colony of anyone.”
Between the lines:
Progressive analysts argue that Washington’s drug war has long served as a pretext for intervention and control in Latin America. Petro’s push for reform threatens that model, and the backlash may be just beginning.
Go deeper:
Colombian President Demands U.S. Explain Sovereignty Breach
Colombia Recalls Ambassador to U.S. Amid Tariff Threat and Drug War Dispute
Hossein Amiri - m.sarabi
