US Cancels Colombian President Visa, The United States has announced it will revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa following controversial remarks he made urging US soldiers to defy orders from then-President Donald Trump. Petro delivered his statements during a pro-Palestinian protest in New York, coinciding with his visit for the United Nations General Assembly. The US State Department described the Colombian leader’s actions as “reckless and incendiary,” prompting the unprecedented move.
Petro, who was already returning to Bogotá when the announcement was made, shared footage on social media showing him addressing a large crowd via megaphone. In his speech, he called for the creation of a “world salvation army” aimed at liberating Palestine. He also directly appealed to US soldiers: “Disobey Trump’s order! Obey the order of humanity!” emphasizing that young people in the military should turn their attention toward tyrants and fascists rather than ordinary civilians.
The US State Department strongly condemned Petro’s remarks, stating that the Colombian president had “urged US soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence.” The agency confirmed that his visa revocation was a direct response to these provocative actions. This announcement highlights the increasing tensions between the US and Petro, whose left-wing government has clashed with Washington over multiple policy issues.
US Cancels Colombian President Visa After Provocative Statements Spark Tensions
Colombia’s Interior Minister, Armando Benedetti, criticized the US decision on social media, suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visa should have been revoked instead. Benedetti framed the action as an example of the US targeting a leader courageous enough to speak directly about sensitive issues, asserting that Petro’s critique of US policies in Latin America made him a target.
Petro has long criticized US military operations in the region, particularly airstrikes targeting vessels suspected of transporting drugs in the Caribbean. Speaking at the UN, he accused the Trump administration of using anti-drug operations as a pretext to exert control over Colombia and Latin America. He further claimed that US officials were complicit with drug trafficking organizations, while his government worked to persuade farmers away from cultivating coca. Petro described the airstrikes as “acts of tyranny” in an interview with international media.
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The revocation of Petro’s visa follows similar actions by the United States, which also denied entry to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and roughly 80 other Palestinian officials, barring them from attending the UN General Assembly. While world leaders are typically allowed to visit UN headquarters regardless of bilateral relations with the US, this latest move reflects a growing willingness by Washington to leverage visa powers in response to perceived provocative statements or policy stances.
This decision has intensified scrutiny of Colombia-US relations, particularly as Petro leads the country’s first left-wing administration. The US Cancels Colombian President’s Visa action not only underscores tensions over Latin American policy and Middle East politics but also signals the sensitivity with which Washington treats statements seen as encouraging disobedience among military personnel.
