The United States has announced that it will revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his “reckless and incendiary actions” during a recent street protest in New York City. The incident occurred when Petro addressed a crowd of pro‑Palestinian demonstrators, speaking through a megaphone and urging U.S. soldiers to disobey orders. According to the State Department, his remarks were deemed incendiary, and the visa revocation will be carried out as a result.
At the protest, Petro called on U.S. soldiers to “disobey Trump’s orders” and instead “obey humanity’s orders.” He made the statement in the context of the ongoing Gaza conflict, which he has previously described as “genocide” in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. In that UN address, Petro criticized Western powers, accusing the United States of perpetuating global inequality and specifically targeting former President Donald Trump, whom he said was complicit in genocide because of his actions in Gaza.
The State Department has not provided further details on the implications of the visa revocation or how it may affect future diplomatic engagements between the United States and Colombia. The incident unfolded amid larger protests in New York City, where thousands of demonstrators marched through Midtown Manhattan demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and denouncing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal.”
The Colombian government has not yet issued an official response to the U.S. decision. The move by the State Department could have significant implications for diplomatic relations between the two countries, and observers are watching closely to see how Colombia will react and what consequences the visa revocation may entail. The decision has attracted international attention, with many awaiting further developments.
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