US revokes Colombian leader Gustavo Petro’s visa amid critique of Trump
In a stunning diplomatic move, the U.S. State Department has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro following his controversial remarks urging American soldiers to defy President Donald Trump’s orders, as Breitbart reports.
The decision came after Petro’s inflammatory rhetoric during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York City, where he also criticized U.S. foreign policy and compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust, while attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Petro’s actions unfolded during his visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, starting with his address on Tuesday.
In his speech, he accused Trump of “murder” related to U.S. military strikes on drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. He also made a striking claim that most drug dealers were “blond and blue-eyed.”
Petro’s bold claims stir controversy
Continuing his criticism, Petro called for international criminal proceedings against Trump during the same U.N. address. His remarks added to a history of opposing U.S. policies, including severing Colombia’s ties with Israel in 2024.
On Thursday, Petro participated in a sidelines meeting titled “In Defense of Democracy, Combating Extremism,” alongside leftist leaders from Latin America and Spain.
Moderated by Chilean President Gabriel Boric, the event excluded Trump, whom Petro accused of spreading “lies” and fueling “fears” on issues like climate and migration.
By Friday, tensions escalated as Petro joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the streets of New York City. There, he delivered a fiery speech targeting both U.S. and Israeli policies.
Street protest sparks visa action
In his address at the demonstration, Petro urged the creation of an army “more powerful” than those of the U.S. and Israel. He also announced plans to propose a U.N. resolution for a force supporting a Palestinian state.
Addressing American troops directly, Petro implored them with strong words. He stated, “I ask all the soldiers of the United States Army not to point their guns at humanity.”
He continued, “Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.” These remarks drew sharp criticism from U.S. officials.
State Department responds
The U.S. State Department quickly condemned Petro’s statements as “reckless and incendiary.” In an official release, they noted, “Earlier today, Colombian president @petrogustavo stood on a NYC street and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence.”
They added, “We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions.” This decision marked a significant strain in U.S.-Colombia relations.
Petro’s rhetoric also included a dire warning to his own citizens back home. He cautioned, “The bombs falling in Gaza will also fall here,” linking distant conflicts to local concerns.
Petro’s history of pointed critiques
Petro’s history of opposing American influence in Latin America is well-documented, including accusations that U.S. counternarcotics efforts aim to dominate the region. He has also aligned himself with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a fugitive in the eyes of many international bodies.
Domestically, Petro faces challenges as he is barred from running for re-election in Colombia’s 2026 presidential race under constitutional limits.
Recently, he reinstated Equality Minister Juan Carlos Florián, whose appointment had faced legal hurdles over gender parity laws.
The visa revocation underscores the deepening rift between Petro and the U.S. government, fueled by his outspoken criticism of Trump and broader American foreign policy. As tensions persist, the fallout from this diplomatic clash will likely resonate in both Washington and Bogotá for the foreseeable future.