The United States announced it will revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders.
State Department Confirms Visa Revocation
“We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement posted on X.
Petro, addressing a rally outside the United Nations headquarters, called for a global armed force to liberate Palestinians, insisting it must be stronger than the U.S. military.
“From New York, I ask all soldiers of the U.S. Army not to point their guns at people. Disobey Trump’s orders. Obey humanity’s orders,” Petro declared in Spanish.
Neither Petro’s office nor Colombia’s foreign ministry immediately responded to requests for comment.
Escalating Tensions at the UN
Petro has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s war in Gaza. Earlier this week, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, he accused Trump of being “complicit in genocide” and called for criminal proceedings over U.S. missile strikes in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Western countries for recognizing Palestinian statehood, saying such actions sent the message that “murdering Jews pays off.”
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s campaign began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.
Strained U.S.–Colombia Relations
The U.S. remains Colombia’s largest trade partner and key ally against drug trafficking, but ties have soured since Trump’s return to office.
Earlier this year, Petro clashed with Washington by initially refusing deportation flights, only reversing course after tariff threats and U.S. visa cancellations for Colombians.
Trump also placed Colombia on a list of countries failing to uphold counter-narcotics commitments, further straining relations.
