The United States government has officially announced that it is revoking the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he participated in a pro-Palestine demonstration and delivered remarks opposing US policies and orders from former President Donald Trump.
Reason for the US Action
According to the US State Department, the measure was taken due to Petro’s “reckless actions and inflammatory statements,” which Washington described as a threat to the security and stability of US personnel.
The statement highlighted that Petro had allegedly urged US military personnel to disobey presidential orders, an act considered provocative and potentially inciting unrest within the armed forces.
“We are revoking Petro’s visa due to his reckless and provocative behavior,” the State Department said in an official post on X (formerly Twitter).
Petro’s Speech in New York
On Friday, 19 September, President Petro spoke at a public demonstration outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, using a handheld megaphone. He called for the establishment of an international force prioritizing the liberation of Palestinians, adding that this force should be “greater than that of the United States.”
Petro also stated:
“As happened in the First World War, I want young people—boys and girls, workers and farmers, from both Israel and the United States—to turn their weapons not toward humanity, but toward oppression and fascists.”
These remarks significantly strained the Bogotá-Washington relationship, directly challenging US policy in the region.
US Response
The United States strongly condemned Petro’s speech, claiming it had encouraged US troops to disobey lawful orders, which they deemed a dangerous provocation.
In addition to revoking Petro’s visa, the US also denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials, effectively preventing their participation in the UN General Assembly.
Perspective from Colombia
Colombia’s Interior Minister responded by saying the US decision was “unfair,” suggesting that similar action should have been taken against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than solely against Petro.
“But because the monarchy shields him, they are violating the rights of the president who alone has the authority to speak the truth,” the minister wrote on X.
Relations between Colombia and the Trump administration had already been deteriorating in recent months, with Petro emerging as a left-wing leader actively opposing US policies in the region.
Petro Criticizes US Drone Strikes
During his UN speech, Petro also criticized US drone strikes targeting coca plantations, arguing that they were not solely anti-drug operations but tools used to impose control over Colombia and Latin America.
He noted that some victims of the strikes might be Colombian nationals, accusing US authorities of cooperating with drug trafficking groups, while his government encouraged farmers to stop cultivating coca. Petro described the aerial attacks as “acts of oppression” during an interview with the BBC.
Implications for International Relations
The visa revocation demonstrates how Petro’s policies and public statements can trigger strong reactions from Washington, potentially limiting Colombia’s participation in international forums.
Petro has also become one of the most prominent Latin American leaders openly supporting Palestine, highlighting growing political tensions between his administration, the US, and the broader Middle East, and emphasizing the need for careful diplomacy.
✍️ Author: Maxamed Cawil Jaamac
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