Colombian President's Visa Revoked by US Amid Controversial Remarks

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:10:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a striking move, the US State Department has revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa, citing his incendiary comments during a New York protest. The incident raises questions about diplomatic relations and free speech.

President Gustavo Petro's visa has been revoked by the US after he made provocative statements urging US soldiers to defy orders. The State Department condemned his remarks during a pro-Palestinian protest in New York, stating they incited violence. The incident highlights deteriorating US-Colombia relations under Petro's leftist leadership, contrasting the treatment received by other world leaders. This situation has sparked further debate about free speech and diplomatic interactions.

The US State Department announced the revocation of Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa following his controversial remarks made during a pro-Palestinian protest in New York. Petro's statements included urging 'nations of the world' to form a military force larger than the United States and calling on US soldiers to 'disobey Trump's order.' In response, the State Department criticized his words as 'reckless and incendiary,' indicating that such actions warranted the revocation of his visa.

Petro's actions come amid tense relations with the Trump administration, as he has previously condemned US military operations against drug trafficking in the Caribbean as 'tyranny.' The revocation of his visa follows a pattern of strict US immigration stances, which have also affected Palestinian leaders attending UN meetings. The incident raises significant questions about diplomatic norms and free speech on the global stage.