U.S. revokes Colombian president's visa during UN visit after urging troops to disobey Trump at NYC protest
State Department cites Petro’s remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally with Roger Waters as the reason for revocation.
The United States revoked the visa of Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro on Friday, citing his remarks at a New York protest linked to pro-Palestinian activists that included Roger Waters. The State Department said Petro’s actions were reckless and incendiary, and that his call for U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and to “obey the order of humanity” crossed a line during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly visit.
Petro, in New York for the U.N. gathering, addressed anti-Israel demonstrators outside the U.N. headquarters, urging U.S. troops not to point their rifles at people and to disobey the orders of President Donald Trump. He spoke through a megaphone as Waters stood nearby, and the two later posed for photos beside a large Palestinian flag. Petro posted the moment on X, writing, “With Roger Waters. Free Palestine,” and adding, “If Gaza falls, humanity dies.” The remarks were captured as part of a broader protest narrative surrounding the U.N. session.
The U.S. action followed Petro’s weeklong engagement at the U.N., including a separate address at the General Assembly noted by AP. The State Department said the visa decision was based on Petro’s “incendiary actions” during the protest. Petro had arrived in New York earlier in the week for the U.N. General Assembly and was en route back to Bogota by Friday night, according to Colombian outlets cited by international wire services.
The White House and State Department have a fraught history with Petro, whose presidency in Colombia has at times strained relations with Washington. In his public sparring with the Trump administration earlier this year over migrant deportations, Trump threatened visa sanctions, heightened inspections for travelers, and possibly tariffs on Colombia if Petro did not comply with deportation demands. Petro reversed course after those threats and, in a gesture of cooperation, even suggested the United States could use Colombia’s presidential aircraft to transfer migrants back to Colombia.
Roger Waters, the British Pink Floyd founder who accompanied Petro at the protest, is known for outspoken criticism of Israel and support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Waters has drawn international attention for high-profile criticisms and controversial remarks about Israel in past performances. In 2023, he sparked backlash after a Berlin show that included a display referencing Holocaust victims and a Nazi-era costume, prompting a response from Israeli authorities. Waters has maintained a long history of provocative stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has colored coverage of his appearances with political figures.
The visa revocation adds to a wave of U.S. visa actions tied to UNGA week, including denials of entry for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials. The revocation also underscores the volatile mix of global diplomacy, domestic politics, and street-level protests that can ripple through bilateral relations even as states seek to navigate a crowded international agenda.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry and Petro’s office have not issued immediate public comments following the U.S. decision. Colombian analysts say the visa move could complicate Petro’s pending schedule in New York and his ability to engage with other world leaders during the UN session. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Petro’s left-leaning domestic agenda and U.S. policy priorities in the region, including security and drug-trafficking operations in the Caribbean.
Image notes: The protest in New York drew attention to Petro’s UNGA appearance and his collaboration with international critics of Israeli policy. The U.S. government has indicated a broader stance toward individuals perceived as stoking violence or undermining diplomatic norms during high-profile international gatherings.
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As the UN General Assembly continues, analysts say the visa revocation may signal a firmer line from Washington toward foreign leaders who choose to use transnational platforms to challenge U.S. policy. Officials cautioned that such actions are specific to the conduct in question and do not represent a broad shift in bilateral relations with Colombia, though the Petro episode has certainly added a new dimension to diplomatic dialogue surrounding governance, migration, and regional security in the Americas.