Colombian President Petro’s US Visa Revoked After UN Speech

The United States has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The decision follows his controversial speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The US State Department cited “incendiary actions” as the reason for the cancellation.

This move represents a significant diplomatic rupture between the two nations. It occurred just days after President Petro delivered a sharp critique of US foreign policy from the UN podium.

Official Reason for the Visa Cancellation

A spokesperson for the US State Department announced the decision on social media. The statement directly referenced President Petro’s conduct during his visit. It accused him of urging US soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence.

According to Reuters, the action was linked to a video Petro posted online. In the video, he is seen addressing a pro-Palestinian rally with a megaphone. He called for soldiers to “obey the order of humanity” rather than follow commands they deem unjust.

Petro’s Response and Accusations of Diplomatic Breach

President Petro responded fiercely after learning of the visa revocation upon landing in Bogotá. He declared the US action a violation of diplomatic norms governing the UN General Assembly. He stated that heads of state attending the assembly are granted total immunity.

Petro suggested a link between his visa cancellation and his vocal criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He accused the US government of no longer complying with international law. His statements, reported by the Associated Press, highlight the deepening diplomatic friction.

The Colombian leader directly addressed former President Donald Trump in his response. He questioned how anyone could support actions that result in the deaths of children. This personal appeal underscored the emotional and political charge of the dispute.

This visa revocation marks one of the most public fractures in US-Colombia relations in recent years, with the US visa revocation threatening to impact broader cooperation on issues like drug trafficking and regional security.

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Q1: Why was President Petro’s US visa revoked?

The US State Department revoked the visa due to what it called “incendiary actions.” This specifically referred to a speech where Petro urged US soldiers to disobey orders, which officials deemed a call to incite violence.

Q2: Does diplomatic immunity protect a president’s visa status?

Diplomatic immunity protects heads of state from legal prosecution while on official business. However, visa issuance is a sovereign right of a country. The US maintains the authority to revoke entry permits at its discretion.

Q3: How has President Petro reacted to the decision?

Petro has reacted with anger. He called the move a breach of the diplomatic norms that protect leaders attending the UN General Assembly. He also connected it to his criticism of US policy in Gaza.

Q4: What does this mean for US-Colombia relations?

The visa revocation signals a serious diplomatic rift. It could strain cooperation on key shared interests, including anti-narcotics efforts and regional security strategies moving forward.

Q5: Can President Petro appeal the visa decision?

Visa revocations are typically final and difficult to appeal. As a head of state, future travel would likely require high-level diplomatic clearance rather than a standard tourist or diplomatic visa.