By [Dayo Ade], M10 News Reporter
28 September, 2025
US Cancels Visa Over Rally Speech
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has dismissed Washington’s decision to revoke his US visa, claiming it shows the United States “no longer respects international law.”
The move came after the US State Department announced on Friday that Petro’s travel documents would be cancelled over what it called his “reckless and incendiary actions” at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York.
Petro Calls for a Global Armed Force
Speaking outside the United Nations, Petro urged the creation of a global military force tasked with liberating Palestinians, telling supporters in Spanish that it “has to be bigger than that of the United States.”
Appearing at the rally alongside Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, Petro addressed US soldiers directly: “I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.”
President Defiant: ‘I Don’t Need a Visa’
Responding to the visa cancellation on social media, the Colombian leader struck a defiant tone.
“I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. I don’t care. I don’t need a visa because I’m not only a Colombian citizen but also a European citizen, and I truly consider myself a free person in the world,” Petro wrote.
He added: “Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law.”
War in Gaza and Genocide Allegations
The controversy comes amid continuing accusations of genocide against Israel over its military campaign in Gaza.
Since October 2023, Israel has carried out air and ground operations in the territory in response to Hamas’ deadly cross-border attack that left around 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 250 taken hostage.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, more than 65,000 people have been killed and 167,000 wounded since the conflict began. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians, but says women and children account for roughly half of the deaths.
Israel denies committing genocide, insisting its actions are self-defence against Hamas.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry Criticises the US
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Washington’s decision, arguing that revoking visas as a diplomatic tool undermines international cooperation.
“Using visa revocation as a diplomatic weapon goes against the spirit of the UN, which protects freedom of expression and guarantees the independence of member states at UN events,” the ministry said in a statement.
It further suggested the UN should consider moving to a neutral host country: “The UN should find a completely neutral host country that would allow the organisation itself to issue authorisation to enter the territory of that new host state.”
