ISLAMABAD: Colombian President Gustavo Petro dismissed the United States’ decision to revoke his visa, accusing Washington of violating international law after he joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.

“I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. I don’t care. 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,” Petro said on social media Saturday.

The US State Department said on X it would revoke Petro’s visa “due to his reckless and incendiary actions.”

Petro had marched alongside pro-Palestinian protesters outside UN headquarters on Thursday, where he urged US soldiers “not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity,” Reuters reported.

Petro defends his stance
Petro argued that revoking his visa “for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law” on social media platform X.

A UN inquiry, earlier past month, concluded that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.

According to Palestinian authorities, 65,000 people have been killed in the enclave and the entire population has been displaced since the conflict began, while Israel cites the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, Reuters reported.

Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the United States' decision, saying that using visa revocation as a diplomatic weapon goes against the spirit of the United Nations, which protects freedom of expression and guarantees independence of member states.

It also suggested the UN should consider a “completely neutral host country” able to issue its own entry authorizations.

US-Colombia tensions grow

The move marks another flashpoint in already strained relations between Bogotá and Washington since Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency.

Reuters reported that earlier this year, Petro blocked deportation flights from the United States, prompting tariff and sanctions threats before a deal was reached.

In July, both countries recalled their ambassadors after Petro accused US officials of plotting a coup, a claim Washington rejected as baseless, British media reports.

Tensions have also extended to the Middle East. Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 and banned Colombian coal exports to the country.

Petro defends his stancePetro argued that revoking his visa “for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law” on social media platform X.

US-Colombia tensions grow

Petro defends his stance
Petro argued that revoking his visa “for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law” on social media platform X.

Articles tagged with "pro-Palestinian"

Colombian President says US decision to revoke visa violates international law