Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sparked international attention with his unapologetic response to the U.S. revocation of his visa, declaring on social media platform X: "I don't need it." The diplomatic rift emerged after Petro's controversial speech at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York, where he urged American military personnel to "obey humanity rather than Trump's orders."
The U.S. State Department labeled Petro's actions during the protest as "reckless and incendiary," citing them as grounds for the visa cancellation. However, the Colombian leader framed the move as an attack on free speech, emphasizing that "criticizing the killing of innocent babies in Gaza should never be criminalized."
Analysts suggest the incident highlights growing tensions between Washington and Latin American leaders over Middle East policies. Petro's remarks about "America's moral crisis" and his warning that military actions "won't make America great" have resonated across political circles, particularly among developing nations advocating for Palestinian rights.
This development comes as Colombia seeks to strengthen economic ties with Asian partners, with recent trade agreements signed with China and India. Business observers note that Petro's stance could influence Colombia's positioning in global supply chain realignments increasingly focused on Asia.
