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U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Top Officials Over Alleged Drug Trafficking Links
Washington: The United States has announced sanctions against four senior Colombian officials, including President Gustavo Petro and Interior Minister Alfonso Prada, accusing them of involvement in illegal drug-related activities and allowing narcotics production to surge under their administration.
In an official statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said that since President Petro assumed office, cocaine production in Colombia has reached its highest level in decades, contributing significantly to the flow of drugs into the United States.
“President Petro has enabled drug cartels to expand their operations and has failed to take necessary measures to curb them,” Besant declared. He added that the U.S. government, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, is taking decisive action to protect its citizens, emphasizing that drug trafficking will never be tolerated on American soil.
The sanctions target financial and economic activities of the listed officials, freezing any assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting American individuals or entities from conducting business with them. The measures are part of a broader U.S. effort to combat transnational narcotics networks and the governments alleged to support them.
Responding to the announcement, President Gustavo Petro issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) rejecting the accusations as false and politically motivated. “I have fought against drug trafficking for decades,” Petro said. “Our struggle has helped reduce cocaine use globally. This is a complete contradiction, but we will not take a single step back, nor will we ever bow to pressure.”
With this move, President Petro joins a growing list of world leaders sanctioned by the United States, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and others accused of corruption, human rights violations, or criminal activity.
The Colombian government has yet to issue an official diplomatic response, but analysts predict the sanctions could further strain U.S.-Colombian relations, particularly given Colombia’s long-standing role as a key ally in Washington’s regional anti-narcotics strateg
Authorities have begun identifying victims following the devastating tornado that struck Union City, Michigan, on Friday afternoon, leaving several people dead and causing extensive destruction across parts of southern Michigan.
A funeral home in Branch County confirmed that Penni Jo Guthrie, 65, was among those killed when the powerful storm swept through the Union City area. According to officials, Guthrie died from injuries sustained after the tornado destroyed her home. An official obituary has not yet been published, and funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Officials say two additional people were also killed in Union City when the suspected EF-3 tornado touched down in the community. The National Weather Service reported the storm produced winds estimated at 150 miles per hour or higher, powerful enough to flatten homes and leave entire neighborhoods heavily damaged.
Emergency crews spent much of Saturday searching through debris, helping residents recover personal belongings, and beginning the long process of clearing damaged areas. Union City emergency management officials said operations have now transitioned from search-and-rescue efforts to recovery operations as teams continue assessing the full extent of the damage.
Among those affected by the storm was Scott Johnson, a former resident of Bellevue. According to community members, Johnson lost his wife, Keri Johnson, as well as their home and nearly all of their belongings when the tornado tore through the Union Lake area outside Union City.
The severe weather outbreak also turned deadly in Cass County, where authorities confirmed that a 12-year-old boy from the Edwardsburg area lost his life during the storm. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office identified the child as Silas Anderson.
Sheriff Clint Roach said Cass County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 3:12 p.m. on March 6 reporting that a possible tornado had touched down in the 68000 block of Conrad Road, north of U.S. 12 in Edwardsburg, located in Milton Township. The caller told dispatchers their son was missing following the storm.
When first responders arrived, they located Silas Anderson while his parents were already attempting to administer first aid. The boy was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Officials said Silas was surrounded by family members at the time of his passing.
“It is with a heavy heart that we report that a young man from the Edwardsburg area has lost his life in a weather-related incident,” Sheriff Roach said in a statement. He also asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve this tragic loss.
Severe weather also caused damage in St. Joseph County, where another tornado was reported near Three Rivers. The storm caused major structural damage, including ripping the roof off a Menards store. Video recorded by residents showed the tornado sending debris into the air and tearing apart nearby buildings and storage facilities.
In response to the widespread damage and loss of life, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Saturday morning that she plans to declare a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties.
State and local officials continue to assess the destruction while emergency crews work to assist affected residents, clear debris, and restore power and other essential services throughout the communities impacted by the powerful storm system.