Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro shrugged off the Trump administration’s decision to revoke his visa after he participated in a pro-Palestine protest in New York this week

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro shrugged off the Trump administration’s decision to revoke his visa after he participated in a pro-Palestine protest in New York this week

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has dismissed the Trump administration’s decision to revoke his visa, stating that he remains unaffected by the move. The decision, announced by the U.S. State Department, stems from Petro’s participation in a pro-Palestine protest in New York City where he called on American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders .

Petro, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, was criticized for his remarks during a protest over the war in Gaza. The State Department cited his “incendiary actions” as the reason for revoking his visa . Petro, however, has shrugged off the decision, noting that he holds European citizenship, which allows him to travel to the U.S. without a visa .

Colombia’s Interior Minister, Armando Benedetti, condemned the move, describing it as politically motivated. He defended Petro as one of the few leaders to denounce the genocide against Palestine at the UN and accused the U.S. of shielding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .

The visa revocation comes amidst ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Colombia. Earlier this year, Petro resisted deportation flights using American military aircraft, leading to a diplomatic crisis. The U.S. is Colombia’s largest trading partner, and the two countries have cooperated closely on anti-narcotics efforts .

Despite the political fallout, Colombia’s economy has shown resilience. The country has been making strides in diversifying its economy and reducing its dependence on oil. Petro’s government has been focusing on social and economic reforms aimed at reducing poverty and inequality .

The revocation of Petro’s visa is likely to further strain U.S.-Colombia relations. However, it is unclear how the move will impact Colombia’s economic prospects in the near term. The country’s strong ties with other international partners, including the European Union and China, may help mitigate any potential negative effects.