US Revokes Visa for Colombia’s Petro After Inciting Soldiers’ Disobedience

The United States has announced the revocation of Colombian President Gustavo Petro‘s visa following remarks he made in New York, urging U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence. The decision was confirmed by the U.S. State Department on September 27, 2025, after Petro delivered a speech during a gathering outside the United Nations General Assembly.

While addressing a crowd, Petro implored U.S. military personnel not to “point their guns at people,” directly challenging orders from former President Donald Trump. “Obey the orders of humanity!” he declared, according to the State Department’s official statement. The department stated that Petro’s actions were “reckless and incendiary,” prompting the visa revocation.

During his time at the U.N., Petro also participated in a demonstration alongside musician Roger Waters and voiced support for pro-Palestinian activists. His social media accounts featured several clips from the event, highlighting his calls for solidarity with Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.

Petro’s speech criticized military operations conducted by the Trump administration against alleged drug traffickers. He condemned airstrikes that occurred earlier in September, which the U.S. claimed targeted members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Petro argued that those killed were instead “poor young people from Latin America who had no other option.”

In an interview with the BBC, Petro described the strikes as “an act of tyranny,” questioning the need for lethal force when non-violent measures could suffice. He stated, “Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew? That’s what one would call murder.”

The Colombian president’s comments have intensified an already strained relationship with the U.S. The revocation of his visa marks a significant diplomatic rupture, particularly as Colombia has been a longstanding ally of the United States, receiving billions in aid since the 1990s.

Petro’s remarks on U.S. military actions were not limited to the strikes; he accused the Trump administration of using drug trafficking allegations as a pretext for military operations aimed at undermining his government. “The missiles in the Caribbean were used to stop drug trafficking. That is a lie stated here in this very rostrum,” he asserted, challenging Trump’s claims.

The U.S. administration has faced scrutiny regarding the legality of these military operations, with some members of the Democratic Party raising concerns about potential violations of international law. Human rights organizations have described the strikes as extrajudicial executions.

As tensions mount, Petro has also called for accountability for U.S. officials involved in the strikes, demanding that criminal proceedings be initiated against them, including Trump. He referred to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, asserting that “if Gaza falls, humanity dies,” further emphasizing his administration’s shift towards a more leftist foreign policy.

Since taking office, Petro has reestablished diplomatic relations with Venezuela, a move that reflects his broader strategy of regional cooperation. However, this latest incident could hinder Colombia’s diplomatic efforts and complicate its relationship with the United States.

As this situation unfolds, the implications of Petro’s remarks and the U.S. response could reverberate through diplomatic channels, impacting both countries’ stances on drug trafficking, military engagement, and human rights advocacy in Latin America.