The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, as well as his close circle - due to the country's authorities' facilitation of the illegal production and export of drugs.

This is stated in an official statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Treasury Department (OFAC), Ukrinform reports.

Today, OFAC is designating Gustavo Francisco Pedro Urrego, President of Colombia, pursuant to his counternarcotics authority.

In addition, restrictions have been imposed against several people close to Gustavo Petro, including his wife, son, and close associate.

Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has surged to its highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said in this regard. This has led to the prosperity of drug cartels in Colombia, the US Treasury Department stressed.

As reported, he announced the cessation of financial payments to this country.