Overview
- Reports from The New York Times say federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Brooklyn are examining alleged contacts between Gustavo Petro and traffickers and possible illicit donations to his 2022 campaign.
- DEA and Homeland Security Investigations are assisting the inquiries, which multiple outlets describe as independent and in early stages, with no charges filed.
- Prosecutors and U.S. agencies declined public comment; Reuters, citing a source, reported Petro is not the primary target though his conduct surfaced in broader narcotics cases.
- Colombia’s embassy in Washington called the claims unfounded and said it has received no formal notice from U.S. authorities, while Petro publicly denied any dealings with narcotraffickers.
- The developments follow a turbulent period in U.S.–Colombia ties that included sanctions and a visa revocation in 2025, though contacts resumed in early 2026 with a call and a February meeting.