Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Colombian President Petro's Salary Blocked by US Sanctions, Lawyer Says
Imagine the President of Colombia has some money he needs to get paid.
But, the President of the United States put him and some of his family members on a special list because the US government thinks he isn't doing enough to stop drug problems.
Being on this list means his money in the US is frozen, like putting it in a locked box.
His lawyer says this makes it hard for him to even get paid his salary for being president.
Even the company that fills up the presidential plane with gas in another country won't do it for him!
The lawyer wants to fight these rules in court and says the President is innocent and is actually being punished for disagreeing with US government ideas.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is reportedly struggling to access his salary following US sanctions.
Petro, his wife, son, and interior minister were placed on the US Treasury's blacklist by President Donald Trump.
The White House cites Petro's alleged failure to combat drug trafficking as the reason for the sanctions.
Sanctions freeze assets in the US and block dealings with US-linked firms, affecting credit cards and bank accounts.
Petro's lawyer plans to challenge the sanctions in US courts and the Treasury Department, suggesting negotiations as a possible resolution.
- Who
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his lawyer Daniel Kovalik, his wife, son, and interior minister.
- What
- President Petro is reportedly unable to access his salary and has had assets frozen due to US sanctions imposed by President Trump.
- When
- Recently, as reported on Thursday.
- Where
- United States, Spain (presidential plane refueling incident), and Colombia.
- Why
- The White House accuses President Petro of failing to fight drug trafficking, though his lawyer claims it is retaliation for opposing US foreign policy.
- Sanctioning Body
- US Treasury Department
- Imposed By
- President Donald Trump
- Reason Cited
- Failure to fight drug trafficking
- Affected Individuals
- President Petro, his wife, son, and interior minister
- Sanction Impact
- Assets frozen, blocked from US business, difficulty accessing salary