Colombia's Petro faces DEA probe over alleged cartel ties and bribery claims

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is now a key figure in a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation. The agency is examining his alleged connections to major drug traffickers, including Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. Meanwhile, Colombian authorities have also been probing members of Petro's family over possible criminal activity.

The inquiry remains in its early phases, and no formal charges have yet been filed against the president.

The DEA has labelled Petro a 'priority target' as part of its wider probe into drug trafficking links. US federal prosecutors in Brooklyn and Manhattan are questioning convicted traffickers about their ties to him. One focus of the investigation involves claims that Petro's associates demanded bribes to prevent the extradition of drug traffickers to the US.

Separately, Petro's son, Nicolás, was previously charged with soliciting illegal campaign funds from a convicted drug trafficker. The inquiry has also expanded to include allegations of bribery at La Picota prison in Bogotá. Critics suggest Petro's 'total peace' policy—aimed at reducing violence—may have inadvertently benefited traffickers who supported his 2022 election campaign.

Petro has repeatedly denied any involvement in drug trafficking. Instead, he promotes social programmes to support peasant farmers growing coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine. Despite the ongoing investigations, no immediate US diplomatic or economic actions against Colombia have been reported following Petro's February 2024 meeting with former US President Donald Trump.

The federal investigation into Petro continues, though it remains uncertain whether charges will follow. His administration faces scrutiny over both personal and policy-related ties to drug trafficking networks. For now, Petro maintains his stance on reform while authorities press ahead with their inquiries.