Colombian President Gustavo Petro has become the latest flashpoint in deepening diplomatic tensions between the United States and Latin America after the U.S. government revoked his visa in response to remarks he made at a pro-Palestinian protest in New York City. The move, announced on September 26, 2025, has ignited fierce debate over freedom of expression, international law, and the boundaries of diplomatic immunity at the United Nations.
President Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader and a figure known for his impassioned rhetoric, was in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly. On the sidelines of the event, he addressed a crowd at a pro-Palestinian rally outside the UN headquarters. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Roger Waters, the founding member of Pink Floyd, Petro called for global action to support Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
"I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity," Petro declared in Spanish, according to Reuters and The Hill. He went further, urging the creation of a global armed force to liberate Palestinians, stating that such a force "has to be bigger than that of the United States." These remarks, delivered in the charged atmosphere of the protest, were immediately picked up by U.S. officials.
The U.S. State Department responded swiftly. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the department announced, “We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions.” The official statement accused Petro of urging U.S. soldiers to incite violence and disobey orders, a move the department described as crossing a diplomatic line. The revocation was not just symbolic—it underscored a growing rift between the two countries, which have long been close allies in the region.
Petro, upon returning to Bogotá on September 27, learned of the visa revocation. His response was characteristically defiant. “I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. I don't care,” he wrote on social media. He added, “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.”
In another pointed statement, Petro accused the U.S. of violating international law, saying, “Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law.” He argued that international law grants him immunity to attend the United Nations and that there should be no reprisals for his free opinion. “International law grants me immunity to go to the U.N. and that there should be no reprisals for my free opinion, because I am a free person,” he posted on X, addressing former President Donald Trump directly.
The diplomatic fallout didn’t end with Petro’s personal statements. Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal protest, criticizing the U.S. for using visa revocation as a diplomatic weapon. The ministry’s statement argued that such actions are contrary to the spirit of the United Nations, which is meant to protect freedom of expression and guarantee the independence of member states at UN events. “The UN should find a completely neutral host country... that would allow the organisation itself to issue authorisation to enter the territory of that new host state,” the ministry suggested.
Colombia’s Minister of Interior, Armando Benedetti, also weighed in, describing Petro as one of the few leaders willing to denounce what he called “genocide against Palestine” at the UN. This sentiment echoed Petro’s repeated characterization of Israel’s siege of Gaza as genocide—a claim Israel has consistently denied. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, more than 65,000 people have died and over 167,000 have been wounded in the territory since Israel began its campaign in October 2023. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but notes that women and children make up about half the fatalities. Israel’s military action was launched in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, 48 of whom remain in Gaza.
Petro’s outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions has had broader diplomatic consequences. In 2024, Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza, marking a sharp departure from the country’s traditionally close relationship with both the U.S. and Israel. According to AP, the U.S. is Colombia’s largest trading partner, and the relationship has historically centered on cooperation in anti-narcotics efforts. However, under Petro’s administration, friction has increased. Earlier in 2025, Petro resisted U.S. deportation flights using American military aircraft, leading to a diplomatic standoff and threats of tariffs and further visa suspensions from the Trump administration.
The U.S. also recently accused Colombia of failing to cooperate with anti-narcotics efforts, though no sanctions were imposed. Petro responded by highlighting the sacrifices Colombia has made in the fight against drug trafficking, stating that his country had lost “policemen, soldiers and regular citizens, trying to stop cocaine” from reaching the United States.
Petro’s appearance at the New York protest was not his only act of defiance during his U.N. visit. In his General Assembly speech, he called for a criminal investigation of Donald Trump and other officials involved in deadly strikes on drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean earlier in the month. The White House has released little information about the operations or the legal authorities under which they were conducted, fueling further controversy.
The U.S. government’s decision to revoke Petro’s visa comes against a backdrop of broader restrictions. In August 2025, the State Department announced it would revoke U.S. visas for some members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, effectively barring them from attending the UN General Assembly. Petro cited this move as further evidence of the U.S. disregarding international norms and limiting open debate at the UN.
The episode has sparked intense debate in Colombia and abroad. Supporters of Petro see him as a courageous voice standing up for the oppressed and challenging U.S. hegemony. Critics, however, argue that his confrontational approach risks isolating Colombia at a time when international cooperation is more important than ever. The U.S. State Department has not clarified whether the visa revocation will affect future visits by Petro, leaving the door open for further diplomatic friction.
As the dust settles, the incident highlights the fragile balance between national sovereignty, international law, and the unwritten rules of diplomatic engagement. For now, President Petro remains undeterred, insisting on his right to speak out—even as the world watches closely to see how this high-stakes standoff unfolds.
