The United States has announced its decision to 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 protesters, speaking through a megaphone and urging US soldiers to disobey orders.
According to the State Department, Petro’s actions were deemed incendiary, and he will have his visa revoked as a result. The Colombian leader had spoken at the protest, calling on US soldiers to “disobey Trump’s orders” and instead “obey humanity’s orders.” This statement was made in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which Petro has previously described as “genocide” in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
During his UN address, Petro criticized Western powers, accusing the US of perpetuating global inequality. He specifically targeted former President Donald Trump, stating that his actions in Gaza made him complicit in genocide. 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 US and Colombia.
The incident took place amidst protests in New York City, where thousands of demonstrators marched through Midtown Manhattan, calling for 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 US decision to revoke Petro’s visa.
The move by the US State Department may have significant implications for diplomatic relations between the two countries. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Colombian government will respond and what the consequences of the visa revocation will be. The US decision to revoke Petro’s visa has sparked attention internationally, with many watching to see how the situation will unfold.
