BOGOTÁ, colombia – A political firestorm has erupted in Colombia after former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva Durán publicly accused President Gustavo Petro of drug addiction, alleging it impairs his ability to govern. The accusation, delivered in a scathing four-page letter released Wednesday, has sent shockwaves through the Colombian political landscape, already reeling from a series of scandals and internal conflicts.

Leyva, an 82-year-old political veteran who once served as one of petro’s closest allies and chief architects of his “total peace” initiative, claims he “confirmed that you had the problem of drug addiction” during an official visit to Paris in June 2023, when Petro allegedly “disappeared two days.”

Petro’s Rebuttal and the Fallout

president petro swiftly responded to the allegations via X, his preferred social media platform, without directly naming Leyva. “The only way for the press to publish letters, is insulting me. Not only speaks badly of the writer, but of the press,” Petro wrote. He then added, “Do I have no daughters and granddaughters in Paris, much more engaging than the writer?” referencing his daughters Andrea and Sofia, who resided in the French capital at the time.

In a subsequent public address, Petro offered a more direct counterattack, stating, “We are addicted to love on purpose… Why do you lose two days,companion? Do not think much (…) What happens is that the writer can no longer do that.”

The allegations come at a notably vulnerable time for Petro, whose presidency has been plagued by scandals involving his son, Nicolás, accused of illicit campaign contributions; his brother, Juan Fernando; the mysterious loss of a suitcase filled with money from the home of his close aide, Laura Sarabia; and leaked audios of his then-Interior Minister Armando Benedetti verbally attacking Sarabia.

Leyva’s letter further fans the flames of discord between Benedetti and Sarabia, who are currently embroiled in a public feud despite Sarabia now serving as Petro’s chancellor. “You are still a victim of those questioned officials,” Leyva wrote to Petro, knowing his words would be “ammunition for your critics.”

Political Reactions and Calls for Examination

The accusations have triggered a wave of reactions across the Colombian political spectrum. Sergio Fajardo,a former presidential candidate,stated,”Álvaro Leyva’s letter confirms everything… Petro’s ex-chancellor says it, one of his closest men: ther are chaos, crisis and contradictions in the president’s head. It truly seems joke, but it is indeed the hard reality. Ability to lead him seriously and rigorly.”

Right-wing political figures have gone further, demanding a medical examination to determine Petro’s fitness to govern and calling for toxicological tests. Meanwhile, Petro’s supporters have dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign. “That the only resource is to undermine his private life is from Canallas [scoundrels],” said Senator María José Pizarro.

The situation is amplified by Leyva’s recent history: he is currently suspended from holding public office for 10 years due to his improper cancellation of a passport tender in late 2024.

From Peace Negotiator to Vocal Critic

Leyva,once a celebrated figure in Petro’s management,played a key role in the president’s “total peace” initiative,aimed at negotiating with various armed groups in Colombia. When announcing Leyva as his Foreign Minister in August 2022, Petro stated, “Colombia will contribute to the world all its effort to overcome the climatic and the world we expect all the effort to overcome our endemic violence.”

During his tenure, Leyva was instrumental in restoring diplomatic relations with Venezuela under nicolás Maduro and strengthening ties with Cuba, both of which became guarantors in peace talks with the ELN guerrillas and FARC dissidents. Though, his focus on the peace process frequently enough overshadowed other diplomatic priorities, leading to controversies and criticisms.

his dismissal as Foreign Minister came after a dispute over a passport tender,which led to a heated exchange with the director of the State Legal Defense Agency,Martha Lucía Zamora. According to journalist Daniel Coronell, Petro sided with Leyva in the dispute, leading to Zamora’s removal.

A Fractured Relationship and Public Disagreements

In early 2025, Leyva began expressing his discontent with the Petro administration through cryptic messages on social media. He criticized Petro’s handling of a diplomatic crisis with the United States and hinted at questionable appointments within the government.The apparent targets of his criticism then were Laura Sarabia’s appointment as Chancellor and Armando Benedetti’s role as head of the Casa de Nariño. “Discounted to those who have abused you, who have taken advantage of their very complex situation and who have done and continue to do it terrible damage,” he advises the president, “as if the letter was not the fuel that lights a new bonfire for petro.”

Implications for U.S.-Colombia Relations

The political turmoil in Colombia could have implications for U.S.-Colombia relations, particularly in areas such as drug policy and trade. The United States has historically been a strong ally of Colombia, providing important financial and security assistance.Though, Petro’s leftist policies and his administration’s internal instability could strain this relationship. The allegations against Petro could embolden critics in the U.S. Congress who are skeptical of his administration and its policies. This could lead to increased scrutiny of U.S. aid to colombia and potentially impact bilateral cooperation on key issues.

One potential counterargument is that Leyva’s accusations should be viewed with skepticism, given his own legal troubles and history of political maneuvering. His motives could be driven by personal grievances or a desire to destabilize the Petro administration for his own political gain. Though, the seriousness of the allegations and the context of ongoing scandals surrounding Petro warrant careful attention and investigation.