NY Federal Prosecutors Investigating Colombian President for Drug Cartel Links

Federal authorities in New York are examining whether Colombian President Gustavo Petro has connections to drug trafficking organizations. The investigation centers on allegations that Petro's representatives may have sought bribes from narcotics dealers in exchange for blocking their extradition to the United States.

NEW YORK — Federal authorities in New York are examining whether Colombian President Gustavo Petro maintained connections to drug trafficking organizations, according to two individuals with knowledge of the investigation.

The sources, who were not permitted to publicly discuss the active investigation, provided information to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity.

Federal prosecutors working in Brooklyn and Manhattan have spent recent months interviewing drug dealers about their connections to Petro, particularly focusing on claims that the Colombian leader’s associates requested payments to prevent their deportation to the United States, one source revealed.

The individual noted that it remains unclear whether federal authorities have directly implicated Petro in criminal activity.

“The investigation focuses on efforts at Colombian jails to get donations to the Petro campaign — and Petro himself — in exchange for a promise not to extradite,” this person said.

A representative for the Colombian presidency refused to provide comment regarding the active investigations involving Petro or related legal matters.

The New York Times initially reported on the federal investigation earlier Friday.

Petro became a focus of interest during drug trafficking investigations conducted by New York law enforcement, which eventually identified him as a person of interest, according to a second source with knowledge of the situation.

The investigations involving Petro remain in preliminary phases and may not lead to criminal charges, this individual explained, noting that the White House has played no part in these investigations.

Petro, who previously served as a rebel commander, won the presidency with promises to decrease Colombia’s reliance on oil and gas while redirecting government funding toward combating widespread poverty.

The outspoken leftist politician, recognized for his lengthy and sometimes rambling public addresses, has frequently condemned the Trump administration’s support for Israel, its attacks on drug vessels in Caribbean waters, and has compared White House immigration policies to “Nazi” methods.

Following one such criticism delivered at a pro-Palestinian rally near United Nations headquarters in New York, Trump responded by canceling Petro’s U.S. visa. Trump also temporarily imposed steep tariffs on Colombian goods after Petro rejected deportation flights from the United States.

However, the relationship between the two leaders has recently improved. Following a White House meeting in February, Trump praised Petro as “terrific.”