US Revokes Visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro Over "Reckless" Comments

US Revokes Visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro Amid Controversy The US Department of State announced on Friday that it will revoke the US visa held by left-wing Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his "reckless and incendiary actions." This decision comes after Petro's comments at a group of protesters in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) sparked controversy. Petro, who has been in New York for the UNGA, told protesters that US soldiers should "disobey the orders of Trump" and "Obey the orders of humanity!" These remarks seem to have crossed a line for the Trump administration. As President Donald Trump's administration pointed out, under the US Constitution, the president is the commander-in-chief of the US military. During his speech at the UNGA, Petro strongly criticized the Trump administration's strikes on alleged drug-trafficking Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean Sea. He even went so far as to say that Trump should face "criminal proceedings" over the killings. This harsh criticism has led to a backlash from the US government. "We cannot have foreign leaders telling our soldiers what to do," said a State Department spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "President Petro's actions are reckless and incendiary, and we will not tolerate such behavior." The revocation of Petro's visa is the latest development in a long-standing feud between the two countries. The Colombian president has been a vocal critic of Trump's policies, particularly his handling of Venezuela. Petro's comments at the UNGA were seen as a call to action for protesters and a challenge to the authority of the US government. "We will not be silenced," Petro said in an interview with a local news outlet. "The people have a right to know the truth about what is happening in our region." This move by the US Department of State has sparked debate among experts and politicians alike. Some see it as a necessary measure to protect national security, while others view it as an overreach of executive power. "This decision sets a dangerous precedent for future interactions between governments," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a professor of international relations at Columbia University. "It's essential that we maintain diplomatic channels and respect the sovereignty of other nations." The current status of Petro's visa revocation is unclear, but it is expected to have significant implications for Colombia-US relations in the coming weeks. Background: Gustavo Petro has been a vocal critic of Trump's policies since taking office as President of Colombia. He has repeatedly condemned the US government's handling of Venezuela and its alleged support for right-wing groups in the region. The controversy surrounding Petro's comments at the UNGA highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of navigating diplomatic channels. As tensions between nations continue to rise, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact future interactions between governments. Additional Perspectives: The Colombian government has yet to comment on the visa revocation. The Venezuelan government has condemned the US strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea. Human rights groups have called for an investigation into the killings of civilians during the US strikes. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. *Reporting by Dw.*