Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro under investigation in US for drug ties
#Gustavo Petro #Colombia #drug trafficking #US investigation #political scandal #diplomatic relations #cartels
📌 Key Takeaways
- US authorities are investigating Colombian President Gustavo Petro for alleged ties to drug trafficking.
- The investigation focuses on potential connections between Petro and drug cartels.
- This development could strain diplomatic relations between Colombia and the United States.
- The allegations emerge amid Petro's presidency, which has emphasized social reforms and peace efforts.
📖 Full Retelling
Faced with reports that two US prosecutors have opened probes, the left-wing leader denies links to drug traffickers.
🏷️ Themes
Political Scandal, International Relations
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Original Source
News | Donald Trump Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro under investigation in US for drug ties Faced with reports that two US prosecutors have opened probes, the left-wing leader denies links to drug traffickers. Listen (6 mins) Save Click here to share on social media Share Add Al Jazeera on Google By Jim Glade and Angie Acosta In collaboration with Latin America Reports Published On 20 Mar 2026 20 Mar 2026 Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has been named in two separate criminal investigations led by prosecutors in the United States. The New York Times was the first to report the existence of the two probes on Friday, citing sources familiar with the proceedings. Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Ecuador hikes tariffs on Colombian imports to 50 percent starting March 1 list 2 of 3 Colombia elects Congress, chooses presidential candidates amid US tensions list 3 of 3 Colombia’s Petro accuses Ecuador of bombing near border end of list Media reports indicate that Petro is not personally the target of the investigations, which focus on drug-smuggling in Latin America. But according to the Times, US attorneys in Brooklyn and Manhattan are looking into whether Petro met with drug traffickers and solicited donations from them for his 2022 presidential campaign. Al Jazeera has not independently verified the Times report. By Friday afternoon, Petro had issued a statement denying the claims, which threaten to reopen the rift between the US and Colombia. “In Colombia, there is not a single investigation into my relationship with drug traffickers, for one simple reason: I have never in my life spoken with a drug trafficker,” Petro wrote on the social media platform X. He added that he told campaign managers to never accept donations from bankers or drug traffickers. The investigations in the US, he argued, would ultimately exonerate him, and he blamed Colombia’s right-wing opposition for stirring controversy. “So, the proceedings in the US will help me to disma...
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