U.S. State Department Announces Decision Not to Certify Colombia's Counternarcotics Efforts and Sanctions Against Colombian Officials

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on October 24, 2025, announcing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not certify Colombia under the criteria of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, as carried forward by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. This decision is due to President Gustavo Petro's ineffective counternarcotics policies, which have failed to uphold Colombia's drug control responsibilities. As a result, the U.S. will not turn a blind eye to Petro's appeasement of narco-terrorists and will instead partner with Colombian security forces, justice sector, and departmental and municipal officials to combat drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. State Department will not certify Colombia under the criteria of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, due to President Gustavo Petro's ineffective counternarcotics policies.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the decision not to certify Colombia based on President Trump's determination in his September 15, 2025, determination that Colombia is "failing demonstrably" to uphold its drug control responsibilities.
  • The U.S. will sanction four Colombian nationals, including President Gustavo Petro, his wife Veronica, his son Nicolas, and Minister of Interior Armando Benedetti, for their involvement in the global illicit drug trade.
  • The decision not to certify Colombia concerns a decision not to certify Colombia for certain FY2025 assistance under section 7045(c)(3)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024.
  • The U.S. will continue to partner with Colombian security forces, justice sector, and departmental and municipal officials to combat drug trafficking and bring terrorists and drug traffickers to justice.
  • The U.S. is committed to preventing deadly illegal drugs from entering the country and will not turn a blind eye to Petro's appeasement of narco-terrorists.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. will not certify Colombia's counternarcotics efforts for FY2025 assistance under section 7045(c)(3)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024.
  • Four Colombian nationals, including President Gustavo Petro, his wife Veronica, his son Nicolas, and Minister of Interior Armando Benedetti, will be sanctioned for their involvement in the global illicit drug trade.
  • Colombia's counternarcotics policies have failed to uphold the country's drug control responsibilities, as determined by President Trump in his September 15, 2025, determination.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Decision Not to Certify Colombia's Counternarcotics Efforts and Sanctions Actions Against Colombian Officials Involved in Global Illicit Drug Trade." U.S. Department of State, 24 Oct. 2025, https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/10/u-s-decision-not-to-certify-colombias-counternarcotics-efforts-and-sanctions-actions-against-colombian-officials-involved-in-global-illicit-drug-trade/.
  • "Treasury Sanctions Colombian Officials for Role in Global Illicit Drug Trade." U.S. Department of the Treasury, 24 Oct. 2025, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0292.