ALBAWABA - According to comments made by his lawyer to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro is having trouble getting his salary since the United States put sanctions on him, his family, and high-ranking officials in his administration.
The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced sanctions against Petro, his wife, one of his sons, and Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco. They say these people are not doing enough to stop drug trafficking in Colombia.
The U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions freeze all of the listed people's assets in the U.S. and stop them from doing business with companies that are linked to the U.S.
Daniel Kovalik, Petro's lawyer, said that the sanctions have already had an effect. He said, "Their credit cards and bank accounts have been frozen," and "even getting his salary as a public official has become hard."
Kovalik also said that a fuel company with ties to the U.S. refused to refuel the Colombian presidential jet while it was in Spain. This shows how far-reaching the sanctions are.
Legal Action and Diplomatic Efforts
Kovalik said that Petro's lawyers plan to appeal the sanctions in U.S. courts and the Treasury Department. He also said that the process "will likely be lengthy and complex."
He said that negotiations or diplomacy might help settle the disagreement. "These things are usually settled through mediation or diplomacy, and we are working toward that," he said.
Kovalik, on the other hand, was doubtful about the chances of success through international organizations. He said, "Let's be realistic: the United States doesn't respond to anyone outside its borders."
Motivation in politics Alleged
Kovalik said that Washington was using the sanctions as a political weapon and that President Petro was being punished for not agreeing with U.S. foreign policy.
He said, "I think Trump is going after anyone who questions American foreign policy goals." "This is punishment—a message to all leaders: either get on board with the U.S. or deal with the consequences."
