Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos dropped a bombshell last week when he suggested, on a national radio network, that the definition of a political crime ought to be broadened to include drug trafficking. Crimes committed for “political” reasons aimed at rebellion in Colombia do not bar a person from holding public office while felony convictions do.

A day later the president clarified his remarks. Not all drug traffickers would be eligible to have their crimes reclassified, he said. Instead the proposal would be a sweetener...