Colombian President Petro Fires Back at Trump Over “Drug Lord” Accusation

Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivered a sharp rebuke to former U.S. President Donald Trump after being labeled a “drug lord,” dismissing the accusation as baseless and rooted in misinformation. Speaking to a massive crowd at Bogotá’s historic Bolívar Square, Petro stated, “Mr. Trump has no idea who I am, what I think, or even where Colombia is located.”

Petro challenged Trump’s understanding of Colombia’s drug policies, asking, “Who expanded coca fields in this country? Who reduced them? Who fought the drug cartels?” He accused Trump of being influenced by Colombian mafia figures, saying, “Your allies are the real drug traffickers—former presidents linked to the Ochoa cartel and Pablo Escobar’s circle.”

The Colombian leader also addressed recent U.S. sanctions against him and his family, denying any financial ties to the U.S. “I have never done business there, not a single dollar in U.S. accounts, nothing to freeze,” Petro declared.

• The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Petro, his wife, son, and Colombia’s Interior Minister, alleging ties to surging cocaine production.
• U.S. officials claim Colombia’s coca cultivation has reached decades-high levels under Petro’s government.
• Trump has escalated tensions, calling Petro a “narco-leader” and cutting aid while imposing new sanctions.