US Sanctions: Colombian President Gustavo Petro Deprived of His Salary

BOGOTA, Colombia.– The sanctions imposed by the United States against Colombian President Gustavo Petro are beginning to have concrete effects at the highest level of the state. According to his lawyer, Daniel Kovalik, the head of state is now unable to receive his own salary due to the freezing of his bank accounts and payment methods. This situation stems from the inclusion of Gustavo Petro and several members of his entourage on the Clinton List, a US Treasury Department register listing individuals and entities suspected of having financial ties to drug trafficking. The US administration notably criticizes the Colombian president for not acting sufficiently against drug networks in his country. A Banking System Paralyzed by US Pressure In Colombia, a large part of banking transactions pass through clearing systems controlled or validated by US institutions. Petro's inclusion on this blacklist therefore had an immediate effect: frozen bank accounts, deactivated credit cards, blocked transactions, even for the payment of his presidential salary. “Even being paid as a public official is now difficult,” affirmed his lawyer, Kovalik, specifying that the sanctions do not only affect the president. His wife, one of his sons, and the Minister of the Interior are also on the OFAC list, which results in the freezing of their assets and the prohibition of transactions with any entity linked to the United States. A Diplomatic Incident with Immediate Consequences The effects of these measures extend beyond the financial sphere. A few days ago, the Colombian presidential plane was refused refueling in Spain, due to restrictions imposed on aircraft associated with individuals sanctioned by Washington. For Gustavo Petro's entourage, these sanctions have a political dimension. They are said to be a warning from the administration of US President Donald Trump to Latin American leaders who would challenge Washington's foreign policy. A Long and Complicated Legal Battle Daniel Kovalik announced his intention to challenge the sanctions, both before US courts and with the Treasury Department. But he warns: “This is going to be a very long process.” The lawyer also does not rule out referring the matter to Colombian or international legal bodies. However, he acknowledges the limitations of these steps. “Let’s be realistic: the United States answers to no one,” he stated. “Gustavo Petro is innocent. I have known him for twenty years. He has fought cartels throughout his political career. The truth will eventually triumph,” he maintained. This case now raises a broader question: what happens when a sitting president finds himself deprived of access to the international financial system? Should the situation persist, it could create a major diplomatic precedent in Latin America and heavily affect the already sensitive relations between Bogotá and Washington. Jean Mapou