Colombian Leader Faces Fueling Hurdle Due to U.S. Sanctions

Colombian President Gustavo Petro encountered difficulties when trying to refuel his aircraft during a journey to the Middle East, his administration stated on Thursday.

Interior Minister Armando Benedetti highlighted that the presidential aircraft made a stop in Madrid for refueling en route to Saudi Arabia. However, staff at Barajas Airport—Spain's largest—denied them fuel.

Negotiations led to the aircraft being allowed to refuel at a military facility after discussions with Spain's leftist government.

The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump accused Petro of supporting drug cartels, leading to his inclusion on the sanctioned parties list of the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week cited sky-high cocaine production rates in Colombia since Petro took office as justification for the sanctions, noting its effects on the United States.

As a result, Petro, along with his wife Veronica Alcocer, eldest son Nicolas, and Benedetti, has been barred from entering the U.S., and any assets they possess within its jurisdiction are frozen.

Furthermore, U.S.-based entities or those involving American investment are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Utilizing social platform X, Petro expressed gratitude towards Spain for ensuring his continuation to Riyadh at the start of his tour, which also includes visits to Qatar and Egypt.

Benedetti indicated that those supplying aviation fuel at Barajas were concerned over violating the sanctions imposed on Petro.

Many service providers at airports—ranging from fuel sellers to cleaning services—are notably U.S.-affiliated, leading to their decision to withhold services due to the OFAC sanctions.

Imposed on October 24, the sanctions followed prolonged tensions over Trump's administration's immigration policies and military actions on South America's coastline.

In an interview earlier this month, Petro alleged that some people killed during U.S. operations on suspected drug vessels were civilians, criticizing these actions as breaches of international law. The White House countered, stating civilians were not harmed.

Having roots in leftist guerrilla groups, Petro firmly rejects accusations of involvement in drug trafficking, arguing instead that it's primarily driven by international demand.

The U.S. State Department announced last month that they were reconsidering Petro's visa status after he participated in demonstrations in New York, urging American soldiers to challenge President Trump's directives.

Stating that Petro's public actions in New York incited defiance and possible violence, the department decided to void his visa due to the perceived irresponsibility of his actions.