The Colombian government has accused the U.S. of breaching international law by revoking President Gustavo Petro’s visa. This decision came after he urged U.S. troops over the weekend not to follow President Trump’s orders.
Officials in Bogotá have labeled this action a “diplomatic weapon,” asserting that it infringes on Petro’s right to express himself freely.
In an official statement, Colombia’s Foreign Ministry contended that using visa rejections as diplomatic leverage undermines the essence of the 1945 U.N. Charter, which promotes the right to free opinion and expression across borders.
They emphasized that a neutral host country must issue permissions for entry without regard to political affiliations, adhering to international law that prioritizes diplomatic immunity and access over regular immigration policies.
Last week, President Petro attended the 80th U.N. General Assembly and delivered a speech critiquing Israel, alleging “genocide” in Gaza. He urged the U.N. to establish a multinational force in Palestine “for the salvation of humanity.” Additionally, he criticized Trump for the actions leading to civilian casualties during military operations in Gaza.
On Friday, Petro participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in New York, where he expressed that although he has friends who are Jewish, he has serious concerns regarding the ongoing conflict. He also referred to his previous affiliations with the Marxist M19 group and connected it to the Palestinian cause.
During these demonstrations, he called upon U.S. soldiers to disobey Trump’s directives, promoting an alternate vision of a “free Palestine” that, in his view, should overwhelmingly surpass U.S. military efforts.
Later, the U.S. State Department announced the revocation of Petro’s visa due to what they described as “reckless” behavior during his trip.
Upon returning to Bogotá, Petro stated on social media that he was unfazed by the visa cancellation, mentioning he prefers an electronic travel system instead. He feels he doesn’t need to rely on conventional visa methods anyway.
Colombia’s Foreign Office reiterated that condemning actions against the Palestinian population is not a violation of law, but rather a moral obligation, especially in light of potential humanitarian law breaches.
Over the weekend, Petra used his social media to criticize Trump and the U.S. visa revocation. He expressed hope that the Israeli populace would resist their government’s actions. He made a rather cryptic remark about never wishing to see Trump again, reflecting the tense political climate.
Petro argued that if the U.S. military cannot support international legal decisions regarding Palestine, it should be up to the U.N. to organize a force to aid in its liberation.
A Saturday post saw him directly addressing Trump, calling him the “genocide leader” and expressing his disapproval over civilian casualties, especially children.
He stated that violence should not be directed at civilians, emphasizing the humanity even amidst the ongoing crisis.
In a later post, Petro asserted that the visa cancellation represented a broader affront against UN principles, and he announced plans to lead a rally advocating for “dignity and democracy” in Ibagué, Colombia.
Petro has previously mentioned his Italian citizenship, which he claimed allows him to travel to the U.S. without a visa, although technically, this status can still be revoked at the discretion of authorities.
He also proclaimed that if Europe continued to support actions in Gaza, he would renounce his Italian citizenship, drawing attention to how these geopolitical matters intertwine with individual rights and identities.
Members of Petro’s administration have continued to express solidarity with him, framing the visa revocation as a symbolic affront rather than a personal defeat. Notably, Minister of Home Affairs Armando Benedetti and other officials have publicly supported Petro, reinforcing the notion that dignity transcends borders.
