The U.S. Justice Department has assured Colombian President Gustavo Petro that he does not currently face criminal charges, even as federal investigators examine his possible connections to drug trafficking organizations.

U.S. officials have directly communicated to Petro that he is not facing charges "for now" related to ongoing investigations into potential ties with narcotics traffickers, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Justice Department probe represents a significant development in U.S.-Colombia relations, given Petro's role as the leader of one of America's key allies in the fight against drug trafficking in South America.

Petro, who took office as Colombia's first leftist president in August 2022, has advocated for changes to traditional drug policy approaches, including proposals to reduce emphasis on forced crop eradication and increase focus on alternative development programs.

The investigation's details and scope remain unclear, as does the timeline for any potential future developments. The assurance that Petro faces no immediate charges suggests the probe may be in preliminary stages or focused on gathering information rather than building a prosecutorial case.

Neither the Justice Department nor representatives for President Petro immediately responded to requests for comment about the ongoing examination.