Colombian President Petro's Son Hit With New Corruption Charges Including Influence Peddling After U.S. Sanctions

A Colombian court on Monday resumed a criminal hearing against Nicolás Petro Burgos, the eldest son of President Gustavo Petro, as prosecutors filed six additional charges tied to alleged irregularities in contracting with the government of the Atlántico department.

The hearing took place before the 41st Court of Guarantees in Barranquilla, where Judge Carolina Álvarez rejected multiple petitions by the defense arguing violations of due-process rights. Prosecutor Lucy Laborde proceeded to formally charge Petro Burgos with illicit interest in contract awards, influence peddling, embezzlement for appropriation, false testimony, falsification of public documents, and falsification of private documents.

Laborde told the court that Petro Burgos allegedly benefited from approximately 111 million pesos through contracts between the Atlántico government and the Fundación Conciencia Social (Fucoso) in 2021 and 2022, as Infobae points out.

Laborde added that Petro Burgos had acted as an "intervening co-author," noting that although he was not responsible for contract administration, "his responsibility is structured as an intervening party in the embezzlement committed by those who did administer or safeguard public funds."

The prosecutor said the alleged funds were disbursed partly in cash and partly through checks, including deliveries at a private residence. She cited documentary and technical evidence and requested pretrial detention. The investigation also links Petro Burgos and his former partner, Day Vásquez, to irregular contracting that allegedly benefited their associates.

The case was initially brought by former prosecutor Mario Burgos, later replaced by Laborde. Separately, Petro Burgos faces proceedings for alleged money laundering and illicit enrichment before a specialized court in Barranquilla.

The new accusations surface amid escalating public confrontations between President Gustavo Petro and the Trump administration. Over the weekend, Petro criticized U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and sanctions imposed on him and family members. He warned Washington "not to wake up the jaguar," saying, "You are going through the Liberators' Caribbean... beware."

He accused U.S. policymakers of insulting Colombia with sanctions issued in October, which Treasury officials said were based on claims that his "total peace" policy had enabled narco-terrorist networks and contributed to increased cocaine production. Sanctions were also imposed on First Lady Verónica Alcocer, Nicolás Petro, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti.