These words, which directly target President Donald Trump, who has regained influence in U.S. politics, were interpreted by Washington as incitement to disobedience within the army and as an attack on the institutional stability of the host country.
The President of the United States announced the cancellation of the Colombian leader's visa following his seditious remarks
These words, which directly target President Donald Trump, who has regained influence in U.S. politics, were interpreted by Washington as incitement to disobedience within the army and as an attack on the institutional stability of the host country.
The reaction of the U.S. government was swift. In a political environment increasingly polarized by issues such as immigration and conflicts in the Middle East, the Trump administration considered that Petro's statements crossed a diplomatic line and one of mutual respect.
The Colombian president, who has been in New York since Monday, September 22, to attend the UN General Assembly, also lashed out against the United States during his speech at that organization. In his address, he stated that he was "decertified" by the Trump government for political reasons, and he criticized U.S. operations in Venezuela on the grounds that they affect the migrant population.
From Colombia, reactions were immediate. The Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti, replied in defense of Petro, also through X: "The only one who should have had his visa revoked was Netanyahu, and today the UN unanimously revoked it as an unworthy citizen of the world. But since the empire protects him, it targets the only president who was capable of telling him the truth to his face."
The United States government announced this Friday that it will revoke the visa of Colombia's president, Gustavo Petro, following his controversial statements during a demonstration on the streets of New York.
According to the State Department, the Colombian president has incited U.S. soldiers to disobey orders, which is considered "reckless and incendiary" behavior.
The announcement was made through the official State Department account on the social network X: "Earlier today, Colombian President @petrogustavo was on a street in New York and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence. We will revoke Petro's visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions."
The statements that led to the diplomatic sanction were made in the context of a shameful protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, organized in New York to reject what the protesters describe as a "genocide in Palestine." Left-wing musician and activist Roger Waters also participated in this event.
Petro, with a megaphone in hand, stated: "From New York, I ask all soldiers of the United States Army not to point your rifles at humanity. Disobey Trump's order and obey the order of humanity."