Diplomatic tensions: US revokes visas for Colombian cabinet members

The Trump administration accused Petro of “inciting violence” during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York, where he also urged US soldiers to disobey orders.

In response, Petro doubled down on his criticism, accusing Donald Trump of being “an accomplice to genocide” in Gaza and declaring that the US president “deserves nothing but prison.” Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and Finance Minister Germán Ávila announced they had voluntarily given up their visas in solidarity with the president, while Mining Minister Edwin Palma and senior adviser Angie Rodríguez confirmed theirs had been cancelled by US authorities.

Petro took to social media to frame the cancellations as a badge of honour, writing: “It fills us with pride not to have the visa of a country whose government supports genocide.” Other cabinet members, including Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, suggested more resignations could follow, noting that his own visa had already been revoked twice in the past.

The fallout comes amid a series of confrontations between Bogotá and Washington. Petro has long clashed with Trump over migration, trade and drug policy, while Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 over the war in Gaza. During Monday’s cabinet meeting, the president announced an end to the free trade agreement with Israel and highlighted plans for Colombia to manufacture its own assault rifles, replacing Israeli imports.

Despite the strain, the US continues to provide Colombia with significant economic and military aid, even after withdrawing its certification as a reliable ally in anti-narcotics efforts earlier this month. With Petro now barred from the United States but holding Italian citizenship, analysts warn that the visa dispute could further complicate already fraught relations between the two countries.