Petro Targeted by DEA: Drug Trafficking Allegations

0:00On March 20, Colombian President Gustavo Petro is now a priority target for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Federal prosecutors in New York are looking into his possible links to drug traffickers. This comes from DEA records and sources close to the case. The label means agency him as having a big role in the drug trade. Investigators have been digging since 2022. Tips from informants point to dealings with Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and others. They also look at claims his peace plan helped big traffickers who backed his campaign. Plus, there are questions about using officials to move cocaine and fentanyl through ports. Petro strongly denies any connections or taking dirty money. He says the claims come from Colombia's far right, who he accuses of real trafficking ties. Colombia's Embassy in Washington calls the reports unverified and without basis. No one's sure of prosecutors have pinned any crimes on him yet. His family has faced its own probes. His son got charged in 2023 for seeking illegal campaign cash from a trafficker.

1:03His brother was linked to talks with jail dealers to block U.S. extraditions. Colombia has a long history of drugs, mixing with politics, from past cartels, funding leaders to rebel groups. These inquiries are still early, with no charges filed so far. The White House isn't involved, and it's unclear where it all leads next.