Bogota, Colombia – October 25, 2025 – Colombian President Gustavo Petro fiercely rebuked US President Donald Trump's accusation of him being an "illegal drug leader" during a massive rally in Bogota's historic Bolivar Square on Friday. Addressing thousands of supporters, Petro dismissed the claims as baseless and rooted in ignorance, asserting that Trump lacks even basic knowledge of Colombia's geography, history, and anti-drug efforts. The exchange marks a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions, compounded by fresh US sanctions targeting Petro, his family, and key officials.
Petro, speaking from a stage adorned with national flags and banners supporting his administration's peace initiatives, directly challenged Trump's understanding of the country. "Mr. Trump has no idea who I am, what I think, or anything about this country’s history," Petro declared to thunderous applause. He went further, questioning Trump's awareness of Colombia's location on the world map: "He doesn’t even know exactly where Colombia is." The president posed rhetorical questions to the crowd: "Who increased the coca fields in this country? Who reduced them? Who declared war on drug cartels?"
In a pointed retort, Petro claimed responsibility for significant reductions in coca cultivation during previous terms and accused past administrations of exacerbating the issue. "I’ll tell you directly. Mr. Trump, I know these words won’t reach you because the only voices you hear are those of the Colombian mafia," he said, implying that Trump's information comes from corrupt influences within Colombia.
The rally, which drew an estimated 50,000 attendees according to local police reports, was part of Petro's broader campaign to rally domestic support amid international pressure. Supporters waved signs reading "Petro No Es Narco" (Petro Is Not a Narco) and chanted slogans defending his progressive policies, including environmental protections and social reforms aimed at addressing the root causes of drug production, such as rural poverty and inequality.
Petro also addressed the newly announced US sanctions, calling them politically motivated and orchestrated by domestic opponents. "Fraudulent businessmen and politicians here have encouraged the far-right in the US to impose sanctions on Colombia and its president," he stated. He singled out Trump's allies in Colombia, alleging: "Mr. Trump, those people you now call allies are the very embodiment of the Colombian mafia. Your ally is a former president raised within the circles of the Ochoa cartel and Pablo Escobar." Though Petro did not name the individual explicitly, the reference appeared to allude to ties involving former President Álvaro Uribe or his associates, who have historically been linked to paramilitary groups and anti-drug operations, though Uribe has denied any cartel connections.
Emphasizing his personal integrity, Petro highlighted his lack of financial ties to the United States. "I’ve never done business in my life, I don’t have a single dollar in the US, no accounts to freeze," he said. "I have never had, nor will I ever have, any desire to do business in the US." This statement underscored his portrayal of himself as a leader focused on national sovereignty rather than personal gain, contrasting with accusations of corruption leveled against him.
The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) formally announced the sanctions in a written statement released on Friday. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García, his son Nicolás Petro, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti were added to the "Specially Designated Nationals" (SDN) list. This designation freezes any assets they may hold in the US and prohibits US persons or entities from engaging in transactions with them. The move effectively isolates the targeted individuals from the US financial system.
In a separate statement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent justified the action by citing a surge in cocaine production under Petro's administration. "Cocaine production in Colombia had reached its highest levels in decades since Petro came to power," Bessent claimed. He accused the Colombian leader of "allowing drug cartels to grow and refusing to curb their activities." Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supports claims of increased cultivation, with a 2024 report indicating that coca leaf production rose by approximately 20% from 2022 to 2023, reaching over 230,000 hectares. However, Petro's government has attributed this to legacy issues from prior policies, including the failure of aerial fumigation programs and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural economies.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Petro. In prior statements, the US president accused the Colombian leader of "poor governance" and halted all US payments to Colombia, including aid for counter-narcotics and development programs. Trump claimed that Colombian drugs were flooding into the US via Mexico and announced a restructuring of bilateral relations. "Serious sanctions have already been imposed on the country," he stated earlier in the week. The US has long provided billions in aid through initiatives like Plan Colombia, launched in 2000 to combat drug trafficking and insurgency, but relations have soured under Petro's left-leaning government, which has prioritized total peace negotiations with armed groups over militarized eradication efforts.
Petro's administration has pursued a "Total Peace" policy, seeking dialogues with groups like the ELN rebels and dissident FARC factions to end decades of conflict, which it argues is essential for sustainable drug reduction. Critics, including the US, contend this approach has allowed cartels to expand operations in ungoverned territories. Colombian officials counter that forced eradication without alternative livelihoods for farmers perpetuates the cycle of violence and production.
The sanctions have ripple effects beyond the individuals named. They signal a potential freeze on broader US-Colombia cooperation, affecting trade, security, and migration issues. Colombia is a key ally in the region, hosting US military personnel and serving as a bulwark against Venezuelan instability. Analysts worry that the rift could embolden cartels and complicate regional anti-drug strategies.
Domestically, the controversy has galvanized Petro's base while deepening political divisions. Opposition leaders, including those from the Democratic Center party, have echoed US concerns, accusing Petro of leniency toward narco-influenced groups. Protests in support of the president spread to cities like Medellín and Cali, with labor unions and indigenous groups voicing solidarity.
Internationally, reactions vary. The European Union expressed concern over escalating tensions but called for dialogue. Mexico, facing its own drug challenges, remained neutral, while Venezuela's government condemned the sanctions as US imperialism.
As the standoff intensifies, Petro vowed to continue his policies undeterred. "And now Trump attacks the leader who has fought the hardest against drugs," he told the crowd, positioning himself as a victim of foreign interference. The US State Department has not yet responded to Petro's latest remarks, but sources indicate high-level discussions are underway in Washington to assess next steps.
This episode highlights the fragile state of US-Colombia relations under contrasting leadership styles: Trump's hardline stance on drugs versus Petro's emphasis on social justice and peace. With cocaine seizures at US borders hitting record highs in recent years—over 100 tons in 2024 according to DEA reports—the issue remains a flashpoint. Whether sanctions will curb production or further alienate a strategic partner remains to be seen.
In Bogota, the rally concluded with chants of national pride, but the underlying questions linger: Can dialogue bridge the divide, or will sanctions push Colombia toward closer ties with non-Western powers like China and Russia? For now, Petro's defiance has solidified his image as a resistor to external pressure, even as the costs mount.
