Colombia’s President Petro dismisses US sanctions, says he owns no assets in America: Video
Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday downplayed recent sanctions imposed by the United States, asserting that he holds no financial interests or assets in the country and will not be affected by the restrictions.
"I do not have a dollar in the United States. There is no account to freeze. I have no intention, nor will I ever in the future, conduct business in the United States of America," Petro said during a speech at Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá.
The measures, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), block any property or assets owned by Petro, his wife, and his son, Nicolás Petro Burgos, within US jurisdiction. The sanctions also prevent them from conducting any international transactions involving American financial systems.
Tensions between the US and Colombia have been mounting since September, when Washington removed Bogotá from its list of partners cooperating in the fight against drug trafficking.
The US revoked Petro's visa following his appearance at a pro-Palestinian protest in New York during the UN General Assembly that same month.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
