The U.S. has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro following his remarks at a rally in Manhattan on Friday, where he called for the formation of “a big army, bigger than that of the US” for the “liberation of Gaza.” Petro also urged U.S. military personnel to disregard orders from President Donald Trump. The U.S. State Department described Petro’s actions as “reckless and inflammatory.”
This decision is notable as it is uncommon for the visa of a sitting head of state to be revoked, reflecting the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Colombia. Petro is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where he delivered a speech on Tuesday. During that address, he called for a “criminal trial” against Trump for U.S. attacks on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
