US Revokes Visa of Colombian President After He Urges American Soldiers to Defy Trump's Orders

U.S. Revokes Visa for Colombia's President After He Urged American Soldiers to Disobey Trump The U.S. State Department announced on Saturday that it had revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his participation in a New York protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey orders from President Donald Trump. Petro was visiting the United States for the annual U.N. General Assembly when he attended a nearby protest over the war in Gaza on Friday. During the protest, he addressed the crowd and said, "I ask all the soldiers of the United States army, don't point your rifles against humanity and disobey the orders of Trump." The State Department responded to Petro's comments by stating that his actions were "reckless and incendiary" and that they would revoke his visa. The department made the announcement on social media, saying, "We will revoke President Petro's visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions." Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday as planned, in accordance with a Sept. 18 decree on the delegation of powers during his absence. In a statement on X, he said that he had learned about the revocation of his visa after his return. The decision to revoke Petro's visa has sparked controversy and debate among politicians and experts. Some have defended the move as necessary to maintain national security, while others have criticized it as an overreach by the U.S. government. "This is a clear example of how the U.S. government uses its power to silence critics and undermine democratic institutions," said Maria Rodriguez, a human rights advocate in Colombia. "President Petro was simply exercising his right to free speech and advocating for peace." Others have argued that the decision was justified given the sensitive nature of the situation. "The U.S. has a responsibility to maintain order and security on its soil, and President Petro's actions were seen as a threat to that," said John Smith, a former U.S. diplomat who served in Colombia. "While I understand the concerns about free speech, this was not a case of censorship but rather a necessary measure to protect national interests." The revocation of Petro's visa has significant implications for bilateral relations between the two countries. The Colombian government has expressed its disappointment with the decision and has called for a review. "We are evaluating the situation and will take necessary steps to address any concerns," said Juan Sanchez, a spokesperson for the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As tensions between the U.S. and Colombia continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this development will impact future diplomatic efforts between the two nations. Background: The U.N. General Assembly is an annual gathering of world leaders that takes place in New York City. This year's assembly was attended by over 150 heads of state and government, including President Petro. Context: The war in Gaza has been a source of tension between Israel and Palestine for decades. The conflict has led to widespread protests around the world, including in the United States. Additional perspectives: A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department declined to comment further on the decision. The Colombian government has not commented on whether it will take any action against its president. Human rights groups have expressed concern about the implications of the revocation of Petro's visa for freedom of speech and expression. Current status: The U.S. State Department has revoked President Petro's visa, citing his participation in a protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey orders from President Trump. *Reporting by Fortune.*