Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of violating international law after Washington revoked his visa, citing his outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and his participation in a pro-Palestinian protest in New York.
Speaking on social media Saturday, Petro confirmed the revocation and dismissed its impact, saying, “I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. I don’t care. I don’t need a visa because I’m not only a Colombian citizen but a European citizen, and I truly consider myself a free person in the world.”
He added, “Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law.” Israel has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, asserting that its actions are in self-defense, reports Reuters.
The US State Department announced the visa revocation on Friday, calling Petro’s conduct “reckless and incendiary” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The decision followed Petro’s appearance at a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, where he called for a global armed force to “liberate Palestinians” and urged US soldiers to disobey orders from President Donald Trump, saying, “Do not point your guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.”
In response, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the US move, calling it a misuse of diplomatic tools. “Using visa revocation as a diplomatic weapon goes against the spirit of the United Nations, which protects freedom of expression and guarantees the independence of member states at UN events,” the ministry said in a statement. It further suggested that the UN consider relocating to a neutral host country that would allow the organization to control access independently.
Petro is not the first Colombian leader to face visa issues with the US In 1996, then-President Ernesto Samper had his visa revoked amid allegations that the Cali drug cartel financed his election campaign.
Tensions between Bogotá and Washington have been escalating since Donald Trump returned to the White House. Earlier this year, Petro blocked US deportation flights, prompting threats of trade sanctions, though the two sides eventually reached an agreement. In July, both countries recalled their ambassadors after Petro accused the US of plotting a coup—an allegation Washington denied as baseless.
Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024 and banned Colombian coal exports to the country.
