The United States announced plans to revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders. The decision comes amid rising diplomatic tensions, with Petro accusing the U.S. of complicity in Gaza violence.
State Department Announcement
On Friday, the U.S. State Department said it would revoke President Gustavo Petro’s visa following his participation in a pro-Palestinian rally outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan. Officials cited his “reckless and incendiary actions,” particularly his call for U.S. soldiers to disobey presidential orders.
Petro, speaking in Spanish to a crowd of protesters, urged the creation of a global armed force to “liberate Palestinians.” He also told American soldiers to put “the orders of humanity” above those of President Trump. His remarks prompted immediate backlash in Washington, where officials described them as a direct incitement against U.S. authority.
Petro’s U.N. Speech and Criticism of Trump
Petro’s rally comments followed a fiery address to the U.N. General Assembly earlier in the week. During his speech, he accused Trump of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza. He called for criminal proceedings over U.S. military actions in the Caribbean.
The Colombian leader’s accusations added to mounting tensions surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza. While several Western nations, including France, Britain, Canada, and Australia, have recently recognized a Palestinian state, the U.S. has closely supported Israel. This stance has drawn sharp criticism from pro-Palestinian leaders and activists around the world.
Gaza War Context
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began after Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in hundreds of hostages. Since then, Gaza’s health authorities report more than 65,000 Palestinians killed, with the enclave’s entire population displaced. Human rights experts have described the campaign as genocide, an allegation Israel strongly denies.
During his U.N. address on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Western recognition of Palestinian statehood, saying it sent the message that “murdering Jews pays off.” The sharp divide at the U.N. underscored how deeply the conflict has unsettled global diplomacy.
Diplomatic Fallout with Colombia
The visa revocation highlights worsening U.S.-Colombia relations under Petro’s presidency. The U.S. is Colombia’s largest trading partner and key ally in counter-narcotics operations. Yet tensions surfaced earlier this year when Petro initially refused U.S. flights carrying deportees, only reversing after trade threats and canceled visa appointments for Colombians.
The Trump administration has also added Colombia to a list of nations deemed noncompliant with counter-narcotics agreements, further straining relations. For Washington, Petro’s recent rhetoric risks undermining cooperation not only on drug enforcement but also on migration policy, where Colombia has played a key role in managing the regional flow of Venezuelan migrants.
Petro’s call for American soldiers to defy their commander-in-chief is likely to increase mistrust. Analysts warn that the incident may push ties with Washington to an all-time low, putting cooperation on security, trade, and humanitarian issues at risk.
A Look Ahead
The State Department has not confirmed when Petro’s visa will be revoked or if he is still in New York. His office and Colombia’s foreign ministry have not responded. Observers warn that this decision, if made, could lead to a broader diplomatic standoff between the two countries.
As the situation develops, this case underscores the increasing interconnection between U.S. immigration policy, foreign alliances, and global conflicts. ImmigrationQuestion.com will continue to follow updates at the crossroads of immigration, diplomacy, and international law.
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Resources:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-revoke-colombia-president-petros-visa-over-reckless-actions-new-york-2025-09-27/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/world/latin-america/colombia-president-gustavo-petro-us-visa-revoked-palestinian-comments-rcna234055
- https://thehill.com/policy/international/5524888-us-revokes-colombia-president-visa/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9jv8kne7no
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/27/us-revokes-colombian-president-petros-visa-over-reckless-actions-in-nyc
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