Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the US of violating international law after it revoked his visa over his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The US Department of State said on Friday it would take the measure after Mr Petro took to the streets of New York to join a pro-Palestinian demonstration and urged US soldiers to disobey the orders of President Donald Trump.
“I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States,” the Colombian president wrote in a post on X.
“I don’t care. I don’t need a visa … because I’m not only a Colombian citizen but a European citizen, and I truly consider myself a free person in the world.
“Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law.”
In another post, he noted that international law grants him immunity to attend the UN, and “there should be no reprisals for my free opinion”.
“Trump, distance yourself from Hitler; there is still time.”
The US Department of State accuses Gustavo Petro of inciting violence in comments he made at a protest. (Reuters: Bing Guan)
Israel has repeatedly denied genocide charges over its actions in Gaza and says it is acting in self-defence.
It calls its actions self-defence after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and in which over 250 were taken hostage.
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Addressing a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the UN headquarters in Manhattan, Mr Petro called for a global armed force with the priority to liberate Palestinians, adding, “this force has to be bigger than that of the United States”.
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that using visa revocation as a diplomatic weapon goes against the spirit of the UN, which protects freedom of expression and guarantees the independence of member states at UN events.
“The UN should find a completely neutral host country … that would allow the organisation itself to issue authorisation to enter the territory of that new host state,” the ministry said.
Mr Petro is not the first Colombian president to have his US visa revoked.
In 1996, then-president Ernesto Samper’s visa was cancelled over a political scandal involving allegations that the Cali drug cartel had funded his presidential campaign.
The US cancelled Ernesto Samper’s visa in 1996. (Reuters)
Relations between Bogota and Washington have frayed since Mr Trump returned to office.
Earlier this year, Mr Petro blocked deportation flights from the US, prompting threats of tariffs and sanctions.
The two sides later reached a deal.
In July, both countries recalled their ambassadors after Mr Petro accused US officials of plotting a coup — a claim Washington called baseless.
Mr Petro cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 and banned Colombian coal exports to the country.
Reuters