US Revokes Visa for Colombia's President After He Urged American Troops to Disobey 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 social media that it would revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his "reckless and incendiary actions" during a protest in New York City. Petro, who was visiting the United States for the annual U.N. General Assembly, participated in a nearby protest on Friday over the war in Gaza. In a statement, he urged American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump's orders, saying "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 stated that it would revoke Petro's visa due to his actions, which they deemed unacceptable. "We will not tolerate behavior from foreign leaders that undermines our national security or interferes with the functioning of our government," a spokesperson said. Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday as planned, according to a Sept. 18 decree on the delegation of powers during his absence. In a statement on social media platform X, he expressed surprise at the decision to revoke his visa, saying "I found out about my visa status through the press." The move has sparked debate among politicians and analysts in both countries. Some have defended Petro's actions as a legitimate expression of concern for human rights, while others have criticized him for overstepping his bounds. "This is a clear case of diplomatic overreach," said Maria Rodriguez, a Colombian analyst. "Petro's comments were seen as an attack on the U.S. military and its leadership." Others argue that Petro was simply exercising his right to free speech and advocating for human rights. "The President has every right to express his concerns about the war in Gaza and the treatment of civilians," said Juan Sanchez, a Colombian politician. The revocation of Petro's visa is likely to have significant implications for bilateral relations between the two countries. The U.S. and Colombia have a long-standing relationship based on cooperation on security and trade issues. As tensions rise, both sides are expected to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation. "We will continue to work with our Colombian partners to strengthen our partnership and address any concerns that may arise," said a State Department spokesperson. The incident highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges of navigating sensitive issues like human rights and national security. Background: The U.S. and Colombia have a long history of cooperation on security and trade issues, dating back to the 1960s. However, tensions have risen in recent years over issues like immigration and trade policy. In related news, the Colombian government has announced that it will review its relationship with the U.S. in light of the visa revocation. "We will assess our cooperation with the U.S. on security and trade issues to ensure that they align with our national interests," said a government spokesperson. The incident is also likely to have implications for the upcoming presidential election in Colombia, where Petro's actions are expected to be a campaign issue. *Reporting by Fortune.*