Tensions between the United States and Colombia have intensified following the State Department's decision to revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro. This action comes after Petro participated in a protest in New York, where he urged American soldiers to disobey orders from President Donald Trump. The State Department announced on social media that it would revoke Petro's visa due to what it described as his "reckless and incendiary actions."

Petro was in the U.S. for the annual United Nations General Assembly. During a protest on Friday regarding the war in Gaza, he stated, "I ask all the soldiers of the United States’ army, don’t point your rifles against humanity" and urged them to "disobey the orders of Trump." It remains unclear whether the visa revocation forced Petro to leave the U.S. earlier than planned. He returned to Colombia on Saturday.

In a post on X directed at Trump, Petro asserted that "international law grants me immunity to go to the U.N. and that there should be no reprisals for my free opinion, because I am a free person." He also expressed indifference to the visa revocation, noting that as a European citizen, he does not require a visa to enter the U.S.

Colombia severed diplomatic ties with Israel last year amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, and Petro has frequently condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, labeling them as genocide. Historically, Colombia has been a key ally of the U.S. in Latin America, particularly in efforts to combat drug trafficking. However, Petro, a former member of a rebel group, has had a contentious relationship with Trump's administration.

Earlier this year, Petro opposed the use of American military aircraft for deportation flights, which led to a diplomatic crisis. Trump threatened to impose higher tariffs and suspend visas in response. Eventually, Petro's government agreed to accept the planes, as the U.S. is Colombia's largest trading partner.

Recently, the U.S. accused Colombia of not cooperating adequately with anti-narcotics initiatives. Although the U.S. did not impose sanctions that would have significantly reduced assistance to Colombia, the designation was a notable rebuke that frustrated Petro. He remarked that Colombia has lost the lives of "policemen, soldiers and regular citizens, trying to stop cocaine" from reaching the United States.