he expressed deep concern about Colombia’s direction under left-wing President Gustavo Petro and suggested that U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs or other retaliatory actions might be needed to steer it straight.
Support implementing U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs, or other retaliatory actions against Colombia if its government continues in a direction opposed by U.S. interests.
Occurrences
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) was joined by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in announcing new legislation to impose President Trump’s sanctions on Colombia.
Evidence
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WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) was joined by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in announcing new legislation to impose President Trump’s sanctions on Colombia. The legislation comes after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused President Trump’s repatriation flights.
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WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) released the following statement slamming socialist Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who quickly backed down after turning back migrant deportation flight from the US attempting to land in Colombia: In response to Petro’s actions, President Trump issued 25% tariffs on Columbia, a travel ban, and immediate VISA revocations on Colombian government officials. President Trump also ordered enhanced Customs and Border Protection inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo.
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WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) spoke to the Associated Press about his CODEL to Latin America. Excerpts can be found below. 'When Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno visits Colombia this week as part of a three-nation tour of Latin America, it will be something of a homecoming.' 'Moreno has emerged as an interlocutor for conservatives in Latin America seeking to connect with the Trump administration.' 'In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of the trip, he expressed deep concern about Colombia’s direction under left-wing President Gustavo Petro and suggested that U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs or other retaliatory actions might be needed to steer it straight.'
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Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) issued the following statement after President Trump sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
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Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) was joined by colleagues in announcing new legislation to impose President Trump’s sanctions on Colombia. More information about the legislation is forthcoming.
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At an Atlantic Council forum, Moreno said election results tainted by armed-group coercion should not be treated as free and fair, said he would raise the possibility of voiding results in threatened regions, and said future military and economic cooperation could depend on who wins.
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The report says the Trump administration blocked Petro's meeting in New York and cited existing U.S. visa restrictions on him; it also notes that Moreno had been a key figure in pushing Petro onto the OFAC sanctions list and that Washington had already revoked Petro's visa.
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OFAC's October 24, 2025 recent-actions page records a Specially Designated Nationals List update adding Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia, Armando Alberto Benedetti Villaneda, and Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos under the illicit-drugs sanctions authority.
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Treasury announced that OFAC designated Colombian President Gustavo Petro under counternarcotics authorities, also designating his wife, son, and a close associate. The release says the action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 14059 and describes blocked-property consequences.
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Moreno's Senate office reposted AP excerpts saying he was concerned about Colombia under Petro and had suggested U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs, or other retaliatory action could be needed.
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AP reported that Moreno had become an interlocutor for Latin American conservatives seeking Trump administration access and, before a Colombia visit, raised sanctions, tariffs, or similar retaliation as possible U.S. tools toward Petro's government.
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Moreno's Senate office announced that he, Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Rep. Byron Donalds were announcing legislation to impose President Trump's sanctions on Colombia after Petro refused repatriation flights.
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Moreno's Senate office criticized Petro over refused deportation flights and stated that Trump's response included 25 percent tariffs, a travel ban, visa revocations for Colombian officials, and enhanced Customs and Border Protection inspections.
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Politico reported that the White House said tariff and sanctions paperwork would be held in reserve unless Colombia failed to comply, while State Department visa sanctions and enhanced CBP inspections would remain until Colombian deportees were returned.
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El País reported that Petro asked Trump to review his inclusion on the OFAC list and said he and his family were still included; the article described OFAC listing as blocking access to the financial system and noted Treasury had sanctioned Petro, his wife, his son, and Armando Benedetti in October.
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Treasury announced that OFAC designated Colombian President Gustavo Petro under counternarcotics authorities, along with his wife, son, and a close associate, and stated that their U.S. property and interests in property are blocked.
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OFAC’s recent-actions page records additions to the SDN List for Veronica Alcocer Garcia, Armando Benedetti Villaneda, Nicolas Petro Burgos, and Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego under ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059.
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Moreno’s Senate office said he issued a statement after President Trump sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
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Moreno’s Senate office announced that he, Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Rep. Byron Donalds were announcing new legislation to impose President Trump’s sanctions on Colombia after Petro refused repatriation flights.
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Moreno’s Senate office reposted AP excerpts saying Moreno expressed concern about Colombia’s direction under Petro and suggested that U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs, or other retaliatory actions might be needed.
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Pursuant to section 706(2)(A) of the FRAA, I hereby designate Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia as having failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to make substantial efforts to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements
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four countries—Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia—listed as having “failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to make substantial efforts to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements,”
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Type: | Individual | List: | SDN Last Name: | PETRO URREGO | Program: | ILLICIT-DRUGS-EO14059 First Name: | Gustavo Francisco | Nationality: | Colombia
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The following individuals have been added to OFAC's SDN List:
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“President Trump made the correct decision in decertifying Colombia as a counternarcotics partner. I applaud his leadership and the hard work Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau have put in to reach this decision.
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The visa sanctions issued by the State Department, and enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Protection, will remain in effect until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.
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four countries—Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia—listed as having “failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months”
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The visa sanctions issued by the State Department, and enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Protection, will remain in effect
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OFAC is designating Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego (Gustavo Petro), the President of Colombia
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PETRO URREGO, Gustavo Francisco, Bogota, Colombia
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President Trump made the correct decision in decertifying Colombia as a counternarcotics partner.
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Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself and Mr. MORENO) introduced the following bill
Assessments
The promised policy was to support U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs, or other retaliatory actions against Colombia if its government moved against U.S. interests. During Moreno's Senate term, the Trump administration implemented concrete retaliatory measures, including OFAC/Treasury sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro and close associates, and Moreno publicly supported that posture while also announcing legislation to impose or codify sanctions on Colombia. Because the federal action occurred while Moreno was in office and his public advocacy and legislative activity aligned with the promised outcome, this counts as delivered in the same term.
The promise was to support retaliatory U.S. action against Colombia, not necessarily to personally impose it alone. In office, Moreno publicly advocated sanctions, tariffs, and other pressure on the Petro government, then joined legislation to codify sanctions and publicly backed actual Trump administration measures including sanctions, tariffs, visa restrictions, and related retaliation. Because Moreno both advocated and materially advanced the policy and the retaliatory actions were implemented while he was in office, this is best scored as delivered in the same term.
Evidence shows Sen. Bernie Moreno publicly advocated for sanctions/tariffs against Colombia, raised the issue during a CODEL, issued statements endorsing President Trump’s subsequent sanctions (tariffs, visa revocations, travel restrictions), and joined colleagues to introduce legislation to impose sanctions. The retaliatory actions were implemented by the President/executive branch rather than through Moreno’s own enacted legislation, but Moreno materially advanced and supported the outcome in the same term. Because the actions occurred but were carried out by the administration (and Moreno’s bill was only introduced, not shown enacted), the claim is partially fulfilled.
Senator Bernie Moreno publicly advocated for and introduced legislation supporting U.S. sanctions, tariffs, or retaliatory actions against Colombia in response to the Petro government's policies. However, the evidence does not confirm that the sanctions or tariffs were enacted into law or fully implemented as a result of Moreno's efforts. The promise was partially fulfilled through advocacy and legislative attempts, but not fully delivered at the policy outcome level.
Senator Bernie Moreno voiced support for sanctions and other retaliatory actions against Colombia if its government opposed U.S. interests, consistent with his campaign promise. He also collaborated with colleagues to introduce legislation to impose sanctions on Colombia and issued public statements advocating such measures after specific provocations by the Colombian government. However, while legislative attempts and strong advocacy occurred, the available evidence does not confirm enactment or actual implementation of new U.S. sanctions or tariffs directly resulting from Moreno's efforts. Therefore, the promise is considered partially fulfilled due to significant legislative and rhetorical action, but not full delivery.