Two US federal prosecutors are investigating possible links between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and drug traffickers, according to a March 20, 2026, New York Times report. Petro denied the claims, stating no such probe exists against him in Colombia. Colombia's US embassy urged caution regarding reports based on anonymous sources.
The New York Times reported on March 20, 2026, that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Brooklyn districts, or Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, are conducting preliminary inquiries into drug trafficking and political financing. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is mentioned in these, though not as the primary target, regarding possible contacts with investigated individuals and illicit funds in his 2022 campaign. The probes examine potential meetings and donation requests but remain in early stages, with no indication of formal charges. Prosecutors, the DEA, and the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment. This comes amid recent tensions and a meeting between Petro and US President Donald Trump. Petro responded on X: “En Colombia no existe una sola investigación sobre relación mía con narcotraficantes... never in my life have I spoken to a drug trafficker.” He added that he spent 10 years denouncing ties between traffickers and politicians, risking his life, and instructed campaign managers to reject donations from narcos or bankers. Colombia's US embassy stated the reports rely on anonymous sources lacking verifiable basis or formal notifications, highlighting Petro's record against organized crime.
