Colombian President Gustavo Petro Reportedly Labeled 'Priority Target' by DEA

According to a new report by The Associated Press, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been designated a "priority target" by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

DEA records show Petro's name has surfaced in multiple investigations dating back to 2022, many based on interviews with confidential informants. The alleged crimes under review include possible dealings with the Sinaloa cartel, the use of law enforcement to move cocaine and fentanyl through Colombian ports, and a scheme to leverage his "total peace" plan to benefit prominent traffickers who financed his presidential campaign.

Petro denied any ties to drug traffickers and said he never accepted their money during his campaign. In a social media publication, he argued that U.S. legal proceedings would ultimately dismantle accusations pushed by Colombia's far right, which he claims is actually linked to traffickers.

As noted by the outlet, Colombia's Embassy in Washington downplayed what it described as "unverified" and anonymous reports of preliminary law enforcement investigations, adding they lack any legal or factual basis.

Prosecutors have questioned drug traffickers about their alleged ties to Petro over the past months, including claims that his representatives solicited bribes to block extradition to the United States, according to a person familiar with the inquiry who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The source said it remains unclear whether federal prosecutors have implicated Petro in any crime, though part of the investigation is focused on allegations that bribes were solicited from traffickers held at La Picota prison in exchange for promises they would not be extradited to the U.S.

The inquiries are still in early stages, and it is unclear whether they will lead to charges, according to another person familiar with the matter, who added the White House has had no role in the investigations.

DEA records also cite a 2024 interview with an unnamed source who alleged Petro has used former campaign aides and officials from state-run oil company Ecopetrol to move funds abroad for his use after leaving office.

Relations between the United States and Colombia have grown increasingly strained in recent months. Since the Trump administration launched a military operation to combat drug trafficking in South America last fall, Petro and U.S. officials have repeatedly clashed over regional policy.

The U.S. sanctioned Petro in October, with the Treasury Department alleging he allowed narco-terrorist groups to expand under his "total peace" plan, which U.S. officials say has contributed to increased cocaine production in Colombia.

Petro has denied any links to drug cartels and met with Trump at the White House in February, where, according to reports, the Colombian government made several security-related concessions at Trump's request.

Petro is also being investigated by prosecutors over potential ties with drug traffickers, a possibility he has also rejected, saying he has never spoken to anyone involved in such activities in his life.

In a social media publication, Petro said the investigation will actually help him "dismount accusations from far-right Colombians, which are in fact in cahoots with Colombia's drug-traffickers."