The United States has revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he joined a pro-Palestinian protest in New York during the UN General Assembly, sparking a fresh diplomatic clash between Washington and Bogotá.
Petro confirmed the move on social media, accusing the US of violating international law and punishing him for criticizing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. “Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law,” he wrote on X, insisting that, as both a Colombian and European citizen, he does not depend on an American visa.
During his visit to New York, Petro took part in demonstrations outside UN headquarters, urging US soldiers to reject President Donald Trump’s orders and calling for a global armed force “stronger than the United States” to liberate Palestinians. He also warned Trump to “distance yourself from Hitler; there is still time.”
The US State Department said the decision followed Petro’s inflammatory remarks and actions. Israel, meanwhile, has repeatedly rejected accusations of genocide, saying its operations in Gaza are acts of self-defence after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, that left 1,200 dead and more than 250 taken hostage.
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the visa cancellation, calling it a misuse of diplomatic tools that undermines UN principles of free expression and state independence. The ministry suggested relocating UN headquarters to a neutral host country to avoid such reprisals in the future.
This is not the first time a Colombian president has faced such action. In 1996, Washington revoked President Ernesto Samper’s visa over allegations of cartel funding in his campaign.
Tensions between Colombia and the US have escalated since Trump returned to power. Earlier this year, Petro halted US deportation flights, prompting threats of tariffs and sanctions before a temporary deal was reached. In July, both nations withdrew their ambassadors after Petro accused Washington of plotting a coup a claim the US dismissed.
Relations further soured after Colombia cut ties with Israel in 2024 and banned coal exports to the country, deepening rifts that now appear to be widening.
