In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, the United States has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro following his controversial remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Petro, a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, urged American soldiers to defy President Donald Trump’s orders and instead follow the ‘orders of humanity.’ His call for a global force to ‘free Palestine’ and his accusations of U.S. complicity in genocide in Gaza have further strained already fragile relations between Washington and Bogota. The U.S. State Department condemned Petro’s statements as ‘reckless and incendiary,’ prompting the visa revocation. Petro, who was in New York to address the UN General Assembly, criticized the decision as a violation of diplomatic immunity and international law. This incident marks the latest chapter in a tumultuous year for U.S.-Colombia relations, which have been marred by disputes over migration, drug trafficking, and military cooperation. Petro’s departure from the U.S. was reportedly underway when the State Department announced its decision. The Colombian leader also used his UN platform to call for criminal investigations into U.S. military strikes on suspected drug traffickers in South American waters. The revocation of Petro’s visa underscores the deepening rift between the two nations, once close allies in regional security efforts.
US revokes visa of Colombia’s Petro after he called on soldiers to disobey Trump
