US cancels Colombia President Petro's visa after New York protests
Photo: scandal between the USA and Colombia (Getty Images)
The USA canceled the visa of the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, after his participation in protests in New York and calls for American servicemen to ignore the orders of President Donald Trump, according to Bloomberg.
The US State Department announced that it will withdraw Petro’s visa, calling his actions "reckless and incendiary actions." The American side emphasized that the head of state called for violence and attempted to provoke disobedience among US soldiers.
Protests in New York and calls for disobedience
Petro took part in protests on the streets of New York against the war in Palestine. In published videos he called on US military not to execute Trump’s orders. The administration of the Colombian leader has so far refrained from comment.
Escalation in relations between Washington and Bogotá
The decision to cancel the visa became another stage in the aggravation between the two countries after Trump earlier this month "decertified" Colombia in the framework of the fight against drug trafficking. This places the country in the same line with Venezuela, Bolivia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
Petro drives the country toward isolation
"Petro’s conduct has steered Colombia towards international isolation, placing at serious risk its relationship with a strategic ally," said political analyst of consulting firm IDDEA, Mario Carvajal.
According to him, the president is more focused on confrontation and anti-system rhetoric than on the long-term interests of the state.
Petro’s position on the war in Palestine
The Colombian leader consistently stands as one of the harshest critics of the war in Palestine. He broke diplomatic relations with Israel, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "genocide," and imposed a ban on exports to that country.
Criticism of the US at the UN General Assembly
During his speech at the UN General Assembly, Petro sharply addressed Washington. He stated about the failure of the war on drugs, called for the investigation of Trump’s actions regarding operations in the Caribbean basin, and condemned US support for Israel’s offensive in Palestine.
Record cocaine production
Against the backdrop of the largest surge in cocaine production in history, Colombia was stripped of its status as a partner in the joint fight against drug trafficking. According to data, most of the world’s production volumes come from this country.
Political prospects
Next year, presidential elections will take place in Colombia. Investors expect the country to change its political course and shift to the right, betting on more market-oriented economic approaches.
Recognition of Palestine
On 21 September, the independence of the State of Palestine was recognized by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal.
Also on 22 September, during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, France recognized the independence of Palestine.
In turn, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Western countries for recognizing Palestine. According to him, they send the signal that "tmurdering Jews pays off."
About the reasons for the mass recognition of Palestine by European states and their consequences — read in the RBC-Ukraine article.
