Colombian President Gustavo Petro is finding it hard to receive his salary after the United States placed sanctions on him. His lawyer, Daniel Kovalik, said the move also targets Petro’s wife, his son, and the interior minister. Former US President Donald Trump added their names to the Treasury’s blacklist.
The White House says Petro has failed to stop drug trafficking. Because of the sanctions, his bank accounts and credit cards are frozen. “Even getting paid as public officials is now difficult,” Kovalik said.
A US-linked fuel company in Spain also refused to refuel Petro’s plane. Kovalik said they are trying to fix the issue through talks and diplomacy. He plans to challenge the sanctions in US courts and with the Treasury Department, though he expects the process to take a long time.
Kovalik insists Petro is innocent. He said Petro has fought drug cartels throughout his career and is being punished for opposing US foreign policy. “This is a message to other leaders,” Kovalik warned. “If you don’t follow Washington’s goals, you’ll face punishment.”
