Desk Report:
The United States has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro. He attended a pro-Palestinian protest in New York and called on US troops to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders. The US State Department decided to revoke his visa after the incident.
In a statement on Friday, the US State Department described Petro’s remarks as “reckless and provocative”.
In response, Petro said on social media on Saturday, “I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. So what? I don’t need one. I am not only a Colombian, but also a European citizen. I consider myself a free man.’
Petro, on the other hand, accused the United States of violating international law, saying, ‘The cancellation of my visa for referring to Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide is tantamount to a violation of international law.’
In a speech given at a protest outside the United Nations headquarters, Petro said, ‘A global armed force must be formed to liberate the Palestinians, a force that will be stronger than the United States.’
Petro is not the first Colombian president whose visa has been canceled by the United States. In 1996, the visa of then-President Ernesto Sampar was also canceled due to a political scandal.
Relations between Washington and Bogota have been strained since Trump returned to power. Earlier this year, when Petro blocked flights to repatriate US deportees, the US administration threatened tariffs and sanctions. A settlement was later reached. Both countries recalled their ambassadors in July after Petro accused US officials of plotting a coup, which Washington dismissed as baseless.
In 2024, Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel and halted Colombian coal exports to the country.
