The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, as President Donald Trump intensified tensions with the longtime Latin American ally, accusing Petro of failing to curb the flow of cocaine into the U.S.

Tensions between Washington and many countries in the region have been mounting for weeks. The U.S. military has ratcheted up activity in the southern Caribbean, striking vessels in international waters that it has alleged without evidence are carrying drugs. Trump this week called Petro an “illegal drug leader” after the leftist president accused the U.S. of committing “murder” with the strikes.

Petro, whose term will end in 10 months, has always opposed the strikes. He has attempted to end Colombia’s six-decade conflict through peace and surrender

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