BOGOTÁ, Colombia (BN24) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday condemned the United States’ decision to revoke his visa, accusing Washington of violating international law and suppressing political dissent following his participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York.
The U.S. State Department announced Friday it would revoke Petro’s travel visa in response to what it called “reckless and incendiary actions” during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly, where he joined demonstrators criticizing Israel’s military operations in Gaza. During the protest, Petro called on U.S. soldiers to disobey orders from President Donald Trump and urged the international community to intervene on behalf of Palestinians.
Addressing the decision publicly, Petro said he no longer had a visa to enter the United States, but claimed he was unbothered. “I don’t care. I don’t need a visa,” he posted on the social platform X, formerly Twitter. “I’m not only a Colombian citizen but a European citizen, and I truly consider myself a free person in the world.”
He went on to accuse the U.S. of targeting him for his condemnation of Israel’s war in Gaza, saying, “Revoking [the visa] for denouncing genocide shows the U.S. no longer respects international law.”
Petro has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where more than 65,000 people have been killed, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave. The entire population has been internally displaced, prompting accusations from international rights organizations and a United Nations inquiry that Israel’s campaign may amount to genocide—allegations Israel firmly denies. Israeli officials maintain their military actions are a justified response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken.
Speaking outside the U.N. headquarters in Manhattan, Petro told protesters that the world must create a global armed force to “liberate Palestine” and directly urged U.S. military personnel to defy commands. “Do not point your guns at people,” he said. “Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.”
The U.S. State Department cited those remarks in its justification for revoking his visa, calling them unacceptable for a visiting head of state.
The diplomatic fallout drew sharp criticism from Colombian officials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the U.S. move, calling the use of visa policy as a political tool inconsistent with international norms. The ministry urged the United Nations to consider relocating its headquarters to a more neutral country, one that would not weaponize entry permissions to control discourse among member states.
“The U.N. should find a completely neutral host country … that would allow the Organization itself to issue authorization to enter the territory of that new host State,” the statement read.
Tensions between Bogotá and Washington have escalated since Trump’s return to the White House. Earlier this year, Petro halted deportation flights from the U.S., a move that led to threats of economic sanctions. Although the two governments later reached an agreement, friction remained.
In July, both countries withdrew their ambassadors after Petro accused U.S. officials of conspiring to overthrow his government—an allegation that U.S. diplomats rejected as baseless.
Petro’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict has also contributed to deteriorating ties. In 2024, Colombia cut diplomatic relations with Israel. It imposed a ban on coal exports to the country, marking one of the most severe breaks between the South American nation and a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.
The visa revocation brings back memories of a previous diplomatic scandal in Colombia. In 1996, then-President Ernesto Samper had his U.S. visa canceled over allegations that his presidential campaign received funding from the Cali drug cartel.
For Petro, the latest move underscores what he claims is a growing crackdown on leaders who speak out against the West’s geopolitical interests. He reiterated his position on Saturday, insisting that human rights and international law should take precedence over political alliances.
The U.S. has not indicated whether additional sanctions or diplomatic measures may follow.
