DEA names Colombian president 'priority target' in drug probe

U.S. prosecutors in New York investigating Petro's alleged ties to drug traffickers

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:35pm

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been designated a 'priority target' by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as federal prosecutors in New York probe his alleged ties to drug traffickers, according to people familiar with the matter and records seen by The Associated Press. The DEA records show Petro has surfaced in multiple investigations dating to 2022, many based on interviews with confidential informants.

Why it matters

The 'priority target' label is reserved for suspects DEA deems to have a 'significant impact' on the drug trade. The inquiry is focusing on allegations that representatives of Petro solicited bribes from drug traffickers at a Colombian jail in exchange for a promise that they not be extradited to the U.S. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of drug trafficking and corruption in Colombian politics.

The details

Prosecutors in Brooklyn and Manhattan have been questioning drug traffickers about their ties to Petro and specifically about allegations the Colombian president's representatives solicited bribes. The DEA records also cite a 2024 interview with an unnamed source who claimed Petro is utilizing former campaign aides and officials from state-run oil company Ecopetrol to launder presidential funds into foreign countries.

  • In recent months, prosecutors in Brooklyn and Manhattan have been questioning drug traffickers about their ties to Petro.
  • In late 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Petro for alleged ties to the drug trade without offering evidence.

The players

Gustavo Petro

The current president of Colombia who has been designated a 'priority target' by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as federal prosecutors in New York probe his alleged ties to drug traffickers.

Nicolás Petro

The son of President Gustavo Petro who was charged in 2023 with soliciting illegal campaign contributions from a convicted drug trafficker to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Juan Fernando Petro

The brother of President Gustavo Petro who has been implicated in secret negotiations that allegedly took place with imprisoned drug traffickers to shield them from extradition to the U.S. in exchange for their disarmament.

Ricardo Roa

The president of state-run oil company Ecopetrol who vehemently denied allegations that Petro is utilizing former campaign aides and Ecopetrol officials to launder presidential funds.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who labeled Petro an 'illegal drug leader' and briefly slapped high tariffs on Colombia over Petro's refusal to accept deportation flights from the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The reported insinuations have no legal or factual basis.”

— Colombia's Embassy in Washington

“The allegations 'lacked all reality or logic'.”

— Ricardo Roa, Ecopetrol President

“After a meeting at the White House in February, Trump described Petro as 'terrific'.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The inquiry is in the early stages, and it is not clear whether it will result in charges against Petro.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of drug trafficking and corruption in Colombian politics, with the U.S. government closely scrutinizing the ties between the Colombian president and alleged drug traffickers.