US Revokes Colombia President Petro's Visa Over Protests, Sparking Diplomatic Tensions

The U.S. State Department revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he joined a pro-Palestinian protest in New York and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump's orders, calling for them not to point their guns at humanity. Petro criticized Israel's war in Gaza, describing it as genocide, and called for an international armed force to liberate Palestinians. In response, the U.S. labeled his actions as reckless and incendiary, citing his encouragement of mutiny and violence against the U.S. government. Petro dismissed the visa revocation, asserting his rights under international law and highlighting his European citizenship, which allows him to travel to the U.S. without a visa. Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the U.S. decision as a misuse of diplomatic tools that undermines freedom of expression and UN principles. The incident reflects growing tensions between Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, and the Trump administration, especially over divergent views on the Israel-Hamas conflict and U.S. foreign policy.