Colombian president’s US visa revoked after he urged American soldiers to disobey orders during anti-Israel rally

Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 23, 2025, at UN headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 23, 2025, at UN headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

The United States will revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa because he “urged US soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence” in New York on Friday, the US State Department says.

“We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions,” the State Department says on X.

Petro’s remarks came as he spoke at an anti-Israel rally held outside UN headquarters as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly, where the Colombian leader called for the formation of a global military force to “liberate Palestine.”

At another event in New York Friday, Petro said Colombia would enlist volunteers to fight in Gaza and was willing to go himself.

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