U.S. federal prosecutors are looking into allegations that Colombia’s far-left President, Gustavo Petro, has connections with drug traffickers, as reported by various news outlets over the weekend.
According to the New York Times, which cited three anonymous sources, Petro revealed on Friday that he is under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The focus is whether he met with drug traffickers and if his presidential campaign received donations from them.
The investigation, still in its early stages, includes officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The Times also noted that there is no indication that the White House initiated this probe.
Similar reports from the Associated Press, CBS News, and Reuters emerged over the weekend, all referencing anonymous sources.
The Associated Press, after reviewing DEA records, stated that Petro has come up in various investigations since 2022, many based on confidential informants’ interviews. Allegations include possible links to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, particularly concerning his “total peace” initiative that purportedly assists traffickers who helped fund his campaign.
The Associated Press added that DEA assigns a “priority target” status to individuals they believe significantly impact drug trafficking. However, it remains unclear when Petro received this designation.
One source quoted by CBS News mentioned that Petro wasn’t the initial focus of the investigation, but his name surfaced later. Reuters echoed this sentiment, clarifying that while Petro isn’t the primary target, his actions have been noted in broader investigations related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. An anonymous source told Reuters, “There is no ongoing investigation directly focused on him.”
In an interview with a Colombian newspaper and via social media, President Petro denied these allegations. He stated that, “there has never been an investigation into my relationship with a drug trafficker,” emphasizing he has never interacted with one.
Petro asserted, “For my own safety and for my family’s well-being, I spent ten years exposing links between powerful drug traffickers and politicians.” He further insisted that he never accepted donations from bankers or drug traffickers during his campaign.
In a statement released by the Colombian government, they officially dismissed the report, claiming it was based on anonymous sources without concrete evidence. The embassy’s statement noted that there had been no formal decisions or notifications confirming the allegations.
The embassy characterized the report’s insinuations as lacking legal or factual basis, urging caution regarding these unverified claims.
Currently, Petro is under sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). He was sanctioned in October for purportedly engaging in activities that materially contribute to the spread of illegal drugs. His wife, Veronica Alcocer, and son, Nicolás Petro Burgos, were also sanctioned.
In discussions with Telemundo, Daniel Kovarik, the U.S. attorney representing Petro regarding his designation on a U.S. sanctions list, rejected reports from U.S. news outlets. He emphasized there is no direct evidence or investigation aimed at Petro, claiming the president has been more effective than his predecessors in combating drug issues.
Kovarik also mentioned a recent positive conversation between Petro and former President Trump, stating that Trump affirmed Petro is welcome in the U.S.
Pertinently, Petro’s son, Nicolás Petro Burgos, is currently facing trial in Colombia for allegedly accepting money from drug traffickers during his father’s 2022 presidential campaign. He has been indicted for money laundering and unjust enrichment of a public official. Notably, his recent admission about receiving money was dubbed a “mistake” rather than a crime.
Earlier this year, Petro met with Trump at the White House, a significant turn after months of his vocal criticisms of Trump. Interestingly, this meeting was scheduled after Trump spoke with Petro just before a planned negative speech by the Colombian president.
