Avianca cancels Gustavo Petro's flights due to U.S. sanctions

Avianca has canceled flight reservations for former Colombian President Gustavo Petro for a trip between Bogotá and Mexico City, citing compliance with international sanctions. The airline stated that Petro appears on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list, managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Avianca explained that its commercial, financial, and corporate ties to the United States—including operating in U.S. territory, processing transactions in dollars, and using American technology—obligate it to adhere to these regulations. The airline emphasized that the decision was strictly regulatory and not based on political motivations, noting that it has already issued a full refund for Petro’s tickets.

Petro has contested the decision, labeling it “political discrimination.” He argued that because Avianca is not a U.S. entity, the OFAC regulations should not apply to his travel. Following the cancellation, Petro launched a boycott campaign against the airline and eventually traveled to Mexico via another carrier, where he met with President Claudia Sheinbaum.