Source: China News Weekly
local timeAt 10 p.m. on September 26, the U.S. State Department announced the removal of Colombian President Guaidó.·Petro’s U.S. visa
Petro called on American soldiers during pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the streets of New York, the United States said“Defying Trump's orders”their behavior“recklessly”And“Incitement is strong.”。
Interior Minister AmandoBenedict said on social media that day: “The only person who should be visa-free is (Israel’s prime minister) Netanyahu, the UN has today unanimously declared that he is ‘not worthy of being a citizen of the world’” and he also said that the United States has asylumed Netanyahu, so take “the (Colombian) president who dares to tell the truth in front of him.”
“Defying Trump's orders!”
This incident, which led to the deterioration of relations between the United States and Colombia, was triggered by a pro-Palestinian protest that Petro participated in during the United Nations General Assembly.
Earlier on September 26, Doug, outside the United Nations headquarters in New York.·At Hamasherd Square, Pedro gathered with thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters and spoke to the crowd in Spanish via a handheld extender, which was translated into English.
Petro said Colombia plans to submit an initiative to the United Nations to establish a“The army to save the world.”and by“Liberation of Palestine”He said that the army should“bigger than the US army.”, and“Carry out the orders of international justice”。
Then Peter cried out:“I amCall on U.S. soldiers not to target guns against humans. violate Trump’s orders! obey human orders!”
In fact, Petro’s previous speeches at the United Nations General Assembly have sparked great controversy.He directly referred to the recent U.S. airstrikes in the Caribbean that suspected drug trafficking vessels, causing the deaths of innocent young people, and publicly said Trump should accept this.“criminal trial”He also condemned the U.S. position on the Gaza issue.“Israeli Complices in Genocide”。
Petro reiterated the issue of immigration and drugs, and criticized the United States for“Racial superiority is an excuse.”Treat South American immigrants, and say that the immigration issue is used as a pressure tool for rich white society in the United States. He said that several political advisers to the President of the United States are actually“Collusion with the cocaine mafia.”His colleagues, and recalled himself as a senator had exposed politicians with paramilitary organizations to conspire to drug. Petro said in his speech:“They tried to kill me many times, but now they want me to remain silent after being president.”
Petro is there.At the end of the 41 minute speech, applause won, and Brazilian President Lula even directly embraced him and kissed Petro’s head, while the U.S. delegation collectively left the venue five minutes after the opening to protest.
Petro's comments on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly went viral on social media, and the U.S. State Department ultimately identified his remarks“Crossing the line”According to Colombian media reports, Petro had flown back to Colombia's capital Bogotá on the night the visa was revoked.
“New hatred and old hatred”
Annual ReportPetro, 65, often wears glasses and loves to discuss sharp topics such as Latin American geopolitics for a long time.In 2022, he defeated the right-wing construction giant Rudolf in the presidential election.·Hernandez became the first left-wing president in Colombian history.
Early in his youth, Pedro showed a rebellious character.At the age of 17, he joined the City Guerrilla.“Movement on April 19”（M-19), which was one of the many left-wing armed groups that opposed the government at the time.“by Aureliano”A pseudonym, taken from Garcia·Marx's character in "A Hundred Years of Solitude" has been jailed for illegally holding weapons.16 months.
After his release, Petro turned into politics, serving as Senator, Deputy and Mayor of Bogotá. He exposed to Congress the conspiracy between politicians and paramilitary organizations, including the President and his friends. Despite fierce opposition, the accusations eventually settled, and many of the perpetrators were convicted. Petro recalled that during that time he had been constantly threatened with death.“I even had to put my assault rifle under my bed in case something happened”。
In recent years, the relationship between the United States and the United States has been frightened by issues such as immigration and anti-drug issues, and has long hidden cracks. Colombia has always been one of the most important security partners of the United States in Latin America, but since Petro took office, Colombia has gradually adjusted its diplomatic route, emphasizing independence and balance, and reducing its reliance on Washington.
Trump this year.After returning to the White House in January, a series of tough policies against Latin America were quickly introduced, and Colombia became the bull's-eye many times. In his first week in office, Trump launched a large-scale deportation plan.
“The United States cannot treat Colombian immigrants as criminals.”Petro also wrote on social media,“We are opposed to the Nazis and do not allow American flights carrying Colombian immigrants to enter our territory.”He pointed out that Colombian citizens were treated like criminals in this process. There have been reports that some migrants were handcuffed on the plane. At the time of his statement, two U.S. flights carrying Colombian migrants were in the air and were subsequently denied entry.
Trump then replied that Petro’s actions threatened U.S. national security and announced a series of retaliatory measures: a tax on all Colombian goods entering the U.S.25% tariff and will increase to 50% within a week; Impose travel ban and visa revocation on Colombian government officials; At the same time, emergency fiscal, banking and financial sanctions were launched.
Later, diplomats from the two countries reached an agreement that Colombia sent its own air force planes to receive immigrants. Petro said the move ensured they were subject to“have dignity.”Treatment, and will not put handcuffs on them. The White House subsequently issued a statement saying,“Today’s events show the world that America is respected again.”。
For a long time, the United States has been both Colombia’s largest trading partner and a key ally in drug-fighting cooperation.In August 2025, the United States“Combating Latin American drug trafficking”In the name, it announced the deployment of an amphibious squadron to the Caribbean waters near Venezuela.
The move has further escalated tensions between the two countries.Petro said that both Venezuela and Colombia have a relationship.2219 kilometers of land boundary line, if Americans think“The invasion of Venezuela can solve the problem, and they’re crazy.”Not only would this put Venezuela in the same situation as Syria, but it would also drag Colombia into the same situation.
In early September, the Trump administration re-increased the quota and included Colombia.“Failure to effectively fulfill international anti-drug obligations”The list of countries, withdrawing their drug-fighting partnership status, along with Afghanistan, Myanmar, Bolivia and Venezuela“The drug country.”The U.S. government claims that the cocaine production of Colombia in Petro has been“New historical high.”Colombia rejects U.S. involvement in the war on drugs“No building trees.”Criticism is called“War on drugs.”It is just a pressure tool.
Petro responded on the same day, saying the U.S. has ignored the huge cost paid by Colombia in the war on drugs.As a countermeasure, the Colombian armed forces will cease to rely on weapons supplied by the United States, and the defense minister will be responsible for independent procurement.
At the same time, Petro's position on the Gaza issue is even more dissatisfied with the United States and Israel. He has repeatedly condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza as“The Genocide”And publicly praised France, Britain, Australia and Canada for their decision to recognize the Palestinian state. This clear anti-Israel stance has further worsened relations with Washington.
toDuring the United Nations General Assembly in late September, in this series of disputes, U.S.-Government relations have become sword-breaking from past close allies.In a recent interview, when asked whether or not concerned about further isolation by the United States, Petro replied:“It was Trump’s foreign policy that isolated the United States.”, and mentioned“Trump insulted me during the presidential campaign and called me a terrorist.”。
According to local Colombian scholars, relations between the two countries are facing the most severe test in decades. The visa cancellation incident is not only a conflict of diplomatic rituals, but also a sign that the relationship between the two countries has gone from traditional security cooperation to a relational game. In the short term, this could inspire nationalistic sentiment in Colombia and also give Petro some support in domestic politics. But in the long run, the two sides still have to find a fragile and pragmatic balance between the reality of close dependence and the sharp contradiction.
The Journalist:by Murielzheng@gmail.com）