TL;DR : The U.S. government plans to cancel Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he told U.S. soldiers to disobey orders during a protest in New York. The State Department called his comments dangerous and is taking action. This adds to growing tensions between the two countries.
What Happened
- The U.S. State Department announced on September 26, 2025, that it is revoking the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro due to his “reckless and incendiary” actions during a protest in New York.
- During the UN General Assembly, Petro spoke at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and urged U.S. military personnel to disobey orders, which the State Department viewed as inciting unrest.
Background & Context
- This marks a new low point in U.S.-Colombia relations, already strained due to earlier visa cancellations, deportation disputes, and trade issues.
- In January 2025, former President Trump had threatened retaliatory measures, including visa restrictions on Colombian officials.
Current Status
- The revocation has not been officially confirmed publicly by the State Department as of the morning of September 27, 2025, but multiple sources report the process is underway.
- The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá has declined to comment, citing confidentiality.
Possible Impact
- If finalized, Petro would no longer be allowed to enter the U.S., affecting future participation in international events like UN meetings.
- This would be a rare action against a sitting head of state, raising diplomatic and sovereignty questions.
Additional Context
- Petro’s remarks and visa issues are also connected to his criticism of U.S. support for Israel, refusal to accept deportation flights, and rising tensions over Colombia's drug crop levels.
- Petro has not commented yet on this development, but he has previously addressed similar topics via his X (formerly Twitter) account.