In a notable diplomatic turn, Colombian President Gustavo Petro revealed on Monday, April 21, 2025, that his U.S. travel visa was revoked by the Trump administration, barring him from attending key international meetings in Washington, D.C., and intensifying tensions between the two countries.
Speaking during a televised cabinet meeting at the Casa de Nariño in Bogotá, Petro stated: “I can’t go anymore because I think they took away my visa.” This comment explained his absence from the spring meetings organized by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington.
The announcement was made casually amid discussions on unrelated topics. Petro’s offhand remark during a live Cabinet meeting, which was initially set to address a yellow fever outbreak, surprised his ministers and has since attracted significant international attention.
Petro, Colombia’s first left-leaning president, expanded on the visa issue by saying, “I didn’t need a visa, but oh well. I’ve seen Donald Duck several times, so I’m going to see other things,” referring to President Trump by the nickname “Donald Duck” in what seemed to be a dismissive jab.
The U.S. State Department has not confirmed or denied Petro’s assertion. According to various media reports, officials refused to comment, citing the confidentiality of visa records.
However, contrary to Petro’s statement, U.S. diplomatic sources in Bogotá and Washington deny that Gustavo Petro’s visa has been revoked, as reported by El Espectador. They noted that such actions are typically accompanied by official notifications, which these sources claim have not been issued.
This development arises amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Colombia, a relationship that has deteriorated quickly following Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025. The two nations, historically close allies in anti-narcotics efforts, have increasingly clashed over immigration and trade policies.
The most significant recent dispute occurred in January when Petro initially refused to accept deportation flights from the U.S. military, a standoff that nearly led to a trade war between the two countries.
In response to Colombia’s refusal, Trump threatened to implement a 25 percent “emergency” tariff on Colombian imports, with plans to increase it to 50 percent if Petro’s administration continued to block the deportation flights.
The threat extended beyond tariffs. Trump announced plans for a “travel ban and immediate visa revocations” and “visa sanctions” on government officials, their family members, and supporters, along with enhanced border inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the administration’s firm stance, stating that the United States was tired of being deceived or exploited by foreign governments. He emphasized that it is not merely a request but a fundamental obligation for each nation to promptly and seriously reclaim their citizens residing illegally in the U.S., framing it as an issue of fairness and national security.
Under mounting U.S. pressure, Petro eventually acquiesced. On a Sunday night in January, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that the standoff with the United States had been resolved, confirming that Colombia would resume accepting its deported citizens and ensuring their dignified treatment and recognition of their rights.
Following the agreement, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Colombia in late March to meet with her counterpart, Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia. The two officials had what Noem described as a “candid” conversation and subsequently announced a data-sharing agreement to assist U.S. authorities in identifying illegal immigrants.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, relations remain tense. If Petro’s claim about his visa proves accurate, he would become only the second Colombian president in history to have his U.S. visa revoked, following Ernesto Samper in 1996 after allegations surfaced that his presidential campaign was financed by money from drug traffickers, specifically the then-powerful Cali Cartel.
The visa issue underscores broader challenges in the bilateral relationship. Disagreements over drug policy and a significant rise in coca cultivation have strained relations with the United States. With an estimated 1,710,000 acres of illicit crops, Colombia risks losing its certification status with the U.S., a decision that could severely impact security cooperation and trade terms.
The economic ramifications are substantial. According to economic analysts, Colombia relies on access to the U.S. market for about a third of its exports, or roughly 4% of its GDP. Any decline in trade relations could significantly affect Colombia’s economy.
In the short term, Colombia’s finance minister, Germán Avila—who is already in Washington, D.C., this week—will assume duties typically requiring the president’s presence. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia is preparing to travel to New York, where she will address the United Nations Security Council, allowing Colombia to maintain its diplomatic efforts despite the president’s apparent visa issues.
This situation marks the latest chapter in the evolving relationship between the United States and Colombia under the Trump administration, which has taken significantly more assertive positions on immigration and regional diplomacy than previous administrations.
