Washington, D.C. — Gustavo Petro, the President of Colombia, has come under scrutiny in two separate criminal investigations led by U.S. prosecutors, according to media reports published Friday.
The probes, reportedly being conducted by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn and Manhattan, are examining whether Petro had any contact with drug traffickers and whether he sought financial contributions from them during his 2022 presidential campaign. The report was first published by The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the matter.
However, the reports indicate that Petro is not currently the primary target of the investigations. Instead, his name has surfaced as part of broader inquiries into drug trafficking networks across Latin America.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Petro firmly denied the allegations, stating that he has never had any dealings with drug traffickers. He also emphasized that his campaign team had been explicitly instructed not to accept donations from individuals linked to illegal activities, including narcotics trafficking.
“No investigation exists against me in Colombia regarding links with drug traffickers,” Petro said, adding that he expects the U.S. inquiries to ultimately confirm his innocence.
Petro further suggested that the controversy may be politically motivated, accusing right-wing opposition groups in Colombia of attempting to discredit him. He argued that the developments could ultimately help counter accusations made by his critics.
No formal charges have been filed against the Colombian president, and both investigations remain in their early stages.
Analysts note that the timing of the revelations is politically sensitive, as Colombia is set to hold a crucial presidential election on May 31. Although Petro cannot seek re-election due to constitutional limits, the vote is widely seen as a referendum on his administration.
Tensions between Petro and Donald Trump have also escalated in recent months, particularly following U.S. actions in the region and disagreements over drug policy. Washington has criticized Petro’s approach as too lenient, while Petro has condemned U.S. anti-narcotics operations as excessively aggressive.
Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, making drug policy a key point of friction in bilateral relations between Bogotá and Washington.
