Colombian president faces US visa revocation after pro-Palestinian rally remarks

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — The United States announced the revocation of Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he delivered what officials described as “reckless and incendiary” remarks at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York.

In a statement posted on X, the State Department said: “Earlier today, Colombian President @petrogustavo stood on a NYC street and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence. We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions.”

Petro had joined demonstrators alongside British musician Roger Waters while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Addressing the rally, Petro said, “What is happening in Gaza is clearly out of discussion — it is a genocide,” accusing Washington of destroying diplomatic prospects with its repeated vetoes at the Security Council.

He further appealed to U.S. troops, urging them not to follow President Donald Trump’s commands. “From New York, I ask all the soldiers of the U.S. army not to put your hands against the people. Disobey Trump’s order, obey the order of humanity,” he declared, drawing parallels to U.S. soldiers who fought Nazi forces in Europe.

The remarks triggered backlash in Washington, while in Colombia, Interior Minister Armando Benedetti defended Petro, saying Netanyahu’s visa should have been revoked instead. “But since the empire protects him, it’s taking it out on the only president who was capable enough to tell him the truth to his face,” Benedetti wrote on X.

Colombian media reported that Petro had already departed New York for Bogotá late Friday. Meanwhile, U.S. officials also confirmed they denied visas to several Palestinian representatives, including President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing them from attending the UN General Assembly.