US revokes visa for Colombias president after he urges American troopers to disobey Trump

Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated with the State Department saying it was revoking a visa for Gustavo Petro, President of the Latin American nation, after he participated in a New York protest the place he referred to as on American troopers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders.

The division stated on social media that “we’ll revoke Petro’s visa resulting from his reckless and incendiary actions.”

Mr. Petro was visiting for the annual U.N. Nations General Assembly. During a close-by protest Friday (September 26, 2025) over the battle in Gaza, he stated “I ask all of the troopers of the United States’ military, don’t level your rifles towards humanity” and “disobey the orders of Trump.”

It was unclear if the choice pressured Mr. Petro, who returned to Colombia on Saturday (September 27, 2025), to depart the U.S. sooner than anticipated. The State Department didn’t reply questions on whether or not the revocation would have an effect on future visits.

Mr. Petro, who has a historical past of talking off the cuff in meandering, ideologically charged speeches, wrote on social media that “I don’t care” concerning the punishment as a result of he’s additionally a European citizen. That means he doesn’t want a visa to journey to the U.S.

He additionally stated humanity should be free around the globe.

Colombia has lengthy been a prime U.S. ally in Latin America, cooperating carefully on the struggle towards drug trafficking. But there have been repeated clashes between Mr. Petro, a leftist and former insurgent chief, and Mr. Trump’s Republican administration.

Earlier this yr, Mr. Petro resisted deportation flights utilizing American army plane, resulting in a diplomatic disaster as Mr. Trump threatened to retaliate with greater tariffs and visa suspensions. The U.S. is Colombia’s largest buying and selling accomplice, and Mr. Petro’s authorities relented, saying it will settle for the planes.

The U.S. accused Colombia earlier this month of failing to cooperate with anti-narcotics efforts. Although the designation didn’t embrace sanctions that might have slashed U.S. help to the nation, it was a pointy rebuke that pissed off Mr. Petro.

He stated his nation had misplaced the lives of “policemen, troopers and common residents, making an attempt to cease cocaine” from reaching the United States.