The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, became the target of two investigations in the USA for alleged involvement with drug traffickers in his country, according to information revealed by the newspaper The New York Times this Friday (20).
At least two federal prosecutors’ offices, in Manhattan and Brooklyn, have begun investigating the leftist leader’s possible meetings with drug traffickers and whether his presidential campaign solicited donations from drug traffickers, three sources familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
The independent actions, which have not so far been linked to President Donald Trump, are in their initial phase and have had the support of prosecutors specializing in international narcotics trafficking, as well as agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Homeland Security Investigations Division (HSI). It is not known whether they will lead to criminal charges against the Colombian.
In January, following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to New York to face drug trafficking charges, Trump signaled that he might take action against Petro.
The Colombian president, who was a member of the M-19 guerrilla group in his youth, has always refuted allegations of involvement in drug trafficking. He initiated peace negotiations with armed groups in the country, but these ended in failure.
Since Trump’s return to the White House, he has been pressuring the Colombian leader to improve policies to combat organized crime in the country. The two have experienced intense friction over the last year, which has even resulted in a diplomatic crisis.
