State Department revokes Gustavo Petro’s visa over controversial statements

In a stunning diplomatic move, the U.S. State Department has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he made inflammatory comments during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York City.

This decision follows Petro’s participation in the protest while attending the United Nations General Assembly, where he urged U.S. soldiers to defy President Donald Trump’s orders and compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust, as Breitbart reports.

Petro’s visit to New York began earlier in the week with his attendance at the U.N. General Assembly. During these sessions, he openly criticized Trump, accusing him of “murder” over military strikes on drug-trafficking vessels. He also called for criminal proceedings against the U.S. president.

Criticism of Trump Sparks International Tension

On the day before the demonstration, Petro joined a meeting titled “In Defense of Democracy, Combating Extremism,” alongside leftist leaders from Latin America and Spain. At this event, he accused Trump of spreading falsehoods and stoking fears on issues like climate change, women’s rights, and migration in his U.N. speech.

The following day, Petro took to the streets of New York City for a pro-Palestinian demonstration. There, he made headlines by urging American soldiers to ignore Trump’s directives.

In his speech at the protest, Petro stated, “I ask all the soldiers of the United States Army not to point their guns at humanity.” He continued in a separate remark, “Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.”

Provocative Comparisons and Bold Proposals

Petro also drew a controversial parallel between Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the Holocaust during his demonstration speech. Additionally, he declared intentions to propose a U.N. resolution for an army surpassing the strength of both the U.S. and Israel to establish a Palestinian state.

As part of his remarks, Petro asserted, “We must set up an army more powerful than that of the United States and Israel.” This statement further escalated tensions with U.S. officials.

The U.S. State Department swiftly responded to Petro’s actions, labeling them as dangerous and inflammatory. In an official statement, they announced, “Earlier today, Colombian president @petrogustavo stood on a NYC street and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence.” They concluded, “We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions.”

Longstanding Friction with U.S. Policies

Petro, who is barred from running for re-election in 2026, has a history of challenging U.S. foreign policy. His criticisms often target American stances on Israel and narcotics enforcement strategies.

In 2024, Petro took the drastic step of cutting diplomatic ties between Colombia and Israel. He has also aligned himself with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro while opposing U.S. counternarcotics efforts in the region.

More recently, Petro expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict in Gaza could have repercussions for Colombia. This statement reflects his broader focus on international issues affecting his nation.

Domestic Moves Amid International Controversy

Amid these international disputes, Petro reinstated Equality Minister Juan Carlos Florián in Colombia. This appointment had previously faced obstacles, but Petro pushed forward with the decision.

The visa revocation marks a significant escalation in the strained relationship between the U.S. and Petro’s administration. It underscores the growing divide over ideological and policy differences, particularly regarding Israel and U.S. military actions.

As this situation unfolds, the international community watches closely to see how Petro will respond to the U.S. decision. The fallout from his New York remarks may have lasting impacts on Colombia’s diplomatic standing with the United States.