Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his strong disapproval on Saturday regarding the United States’ decision to revoke his visa following his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing Washington of violating international law.
On Friday, the United States announced that it would cancel Petro’s visa after he participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York and urged American soldiers to disobey orders from President Donald Trump.
In a post on social media, Petro stated, “I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t need it… because I am not only a Colombian citizen but also a European citizen, and I truly consider myself a free person in this world.”
He further asserted on platform X that the revocation of his visa due to his denunciation of genocide indicates that Washington no longer respects international law.
Israel has repeatedly denied allegations of genocide regarding its actions in Gaza, claiming it is acting in self-defense.
The plight of starving Palestinians, including children, has sparked global outrage against Israeli aggression in Gaza, which local authorities estimate has resulted in 65,000 fatalities and the displacement of the entire population of the sector.
Several human rights experts and United Nations investigations assert that these actions qualify as genocide.
Israel describes its military operations as self-defense following a Hamas attack in October 2023 that killed 1,200 individuals and left over 250 held as hostages, according to Israeli statistics.
During a speech to pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, Petro called for the establishment of a global armed force with the primary goal of liberating Palestinians, urging American soldiers to “not direct their weapons at people,” and adding, “Do not obey Trump’s orders. Obey the commands of humanity.”
The U.S. State Department stated on platform X that it would “revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and inciting actions.”
In a statement, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked that using visa cancellation as a diplomatic weapon contradicts the United Nations’ spirit, which upholds freedom of expression and ensures the independence of member states in United Nations activities.
The Ministry added, “The United Nations should find a completely neutral host country… that allows the organization itself to issue a permit for entry into the territory of this new host country.”
Petro is not the first Colombian president to have his U.S. visa revoked. In 1996, then-president Ernesto Samper had his visa canceled due to a political scandal involving allegations of drug cartel funding for his presidential campaign.
Relations between Bogotá and Washington have been strained since Trump resumed office.
Earlier this year, Petro rejected the repatriation of migrants from the United States, which led to threats of tariffs and sanctions. The two nations later reached an agreement.
In July, both countries recalled their ambassadors after Petro accused U.S. officials of plotting a coup, a claim dismissed by Washington as completely unfounded.
In 2024, Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel and banned coal exports to the country.