A sharp escalation in tensions has rocked relations between the United States and Colombia. The U.S. State Department announced it was revoking the visa for Colombian President Gustavo Petro. This drastic action came after Petro took part in a protest in New York, where he controversially urged American soldiers to defy orders from then-President Donald Trump.
In a public statement on social media, the department declared, “we will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions,” underscoring the severity of his comments.
President Petro was in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly. While there, he joined a protest focused on the conflict in Gaza. During the event, he made a direct appeal, stating, “I ask all the soldiers of the United States’ army, don’t point your rifles against humanity” and unequivocally called on them to “disobey the orders of Trump.”
It remains uncertain if this decision compelled President Petro to depart the U.S. sooner than planned; he returned to Colombia the following day. The State Department has not provided clarity on how this revocation might impact his ability to visit the U.S. in the future.
Known for his often impromptu and ideologically driven speeches, Petro responded on social media by asserting, “I don’t care” about the visa revocation. He noted that as a European citizen, he does not require a visa for U.S. travel. He further emphasized his belief that humanity should be free globally.
Historically, Colombia has been a steadfast ally of the U.S. in Latin America, particularly in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking. However, President Petro, a self-identified leftist and former rebel leader, has frequently found himself at odds with Donald Trump’s Republican administration, leading to recurring diplomatic friction.
Earlier in the year, a prior dispute arose when Petro’s administration resisted the use of American military aircraft for deportation flights. This ignited a diplomatic crisis, with then-President Trump threatening severe economic repercussions, including increased tariffs and visa suspensions. Given that the U.S. is Colombia’s primary trading partner, Petro’s government eventually conceded and agreed to accept the flights.
More recently, the U.S. criticized Colombia for a perceived lack of cooperation in anti-narcotics initiatives. While this accusation did not result in immediate sanctions that would cut U.S. aid, it served as a strong reprimand that visibly frustrated President Petro. Petro responded by highlighting the heavy toll his country has paid, emphasizing that Colombian “policemen, soldiers and regular citizens” have sacrificed their lives in efforts to prevent cocaine from reaching American shores.