Washington Responds to President’s Actions
The United States has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after his conduct during a visit to New York drew sharp criticism. According to the State Department, his behavior during events held alongside the UN General Assembly amounted to “reckless and incendiary” actions unbefitting a foreign leader on American soil.
Provocative Appeal at Pro-Palestinian Protest
Petro took part in a demonstration outside the United Nations, where he told U.S. soldiers to reject their orders and advocated the creation of a multinational army stronger than Washington’s to fight on behalf of Palestine. The remarks spread quickly and sparked condemnation from U.S. authorities, who warned that his rhetoric risked fueling unrest.
Strain on Bilateral Relations
The unprecedented visa withdrawal has cast uncertainty over the future of U.S.–Colombian relations. While Washington has historically worked closely with Bogotá on regional security, the move could complicate Petro’s participation in future meetings within the United States. Colombia’s government has not yet issued a formal response, leaving open the question of how this diplomatic clash will unfold.
