The US announced Friday it would revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he publicly called on his soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders, further straining relations between Washington and Bogota.
“It (global power) must be stronger than the United States. That’s why I’m in New York, asking all American soldiers not to point their guns at humanity,” Petro said in a video posted on social media.
“Disobey Trump’s orders. Obey humanity’s orders,” he added.
The US State Department later posted on X.net: “Earlier today, the President of Colombia stood on the streets of New York, urging US soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence.”
“Due to Petro’s reckless and inflammatory behavior, we are revoking his visa.” In response, Petro said the US decision “violates all the immunity norms under which the United Nations and its General Assembly operate.”
Relations between the Colombian president and the White House have been rocky this year. Just over a week into Trump’s second term, Petro blocked the landing of two US military planes carrying deported migrants, accusing the US of treating Colombian migrants as criminals.
The Andean nation was once Washington’s most reliable ally for national security and defense in South America.
The article is excerpted from CNN
