Why it matters:
The diplomatic fallout marks a public clash between Washington and Latin America, highlighting growing U.S. allegations of drug trafficking and shifting regional alliances that could reshape American influence in the region.
Driving the news:
On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against President Gustavo Petro, First Lady Verónica Alcocer, his eldest son Nicolás, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, accusing them of “enabling drug cartels” and “failing to confront narcotics trafficking.” The sanctions freeze their U.S. assets and bar them from entering the country.
What he's saying:
“We will not kneel, and we will not back down,” Petro told cheering crowds in Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar.
“Trump doesn’t even know where Colombia is. We fight the drug cartels — we don’t work with them,” he added, framing the sanctions as part of a broader U.S. effort to undermine his government.
The big picture:
The move follows increasing U.S. concerns over the Petro government’s foreign policy independence and its criticism of Washington’s regional agenda. Petro, who has sought closer ties with Venezuela and advocated for alternative drug policies, has accused the U.S. of clinging to outdated, Cold War–style interventionism.
State of play:
The U.S. Departmnet of War confirmed the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier as part of what it described as a “military crackdown” on Latin American drug trafficking networks. The move has raised alarm in Bogotá and Caracas, where officials warn of escalating regional tensions and potential U.S. military overreach.
Between the lines:
Petro’s defiance resonates well domestically among supporters who view him as standing up to decades of U.S. dominance. But the sanctions could have significant economic and diplomatic fallout, further isolating Colombia’s leftist leadership within a region still divided over Washington’s influence.
Go deeper:
Colombia Recalls Ambassador to U.S. Amid Tariff Threat and Drug War Dispute
Zohre Khazaee - seyed mohammad kazemi
