In an unexpected diplomatic occurrence, Colombian President Gustavo Petro disclosed on Monday, April 21, 2025, that his U.S. travel visa had been revoked by the Trump administration. This decision prevents him from attending crucial international meetings in Washington, D.C., and has increased tensions between the two countries.
During a televised cabinet session at Casa de Nariño, the presidential palace in Bogotá, Petro remarked: “I can’t go anymore because I think they took away my visa.” He elaborated on his absence from the spring meetings held by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington.
The announcement was made casually amid discussions mainly focused on unrelated topics. Petro’s offhand comment during a live Cabinet meeting, initially convened to address a yellow fever outbreak, surprised his ministers and has attracted substantial international attention.
Serving as Colombia’s first leftist president, Petro didn’t limit himself to just announcing the visa issue. “I didn’t need a visa, but oh well. I’ve seen Donald Duck several times, so I’m going to see other things,” he added, using the nickname “Donald Duck” for President Trump, seemingly as a dismissive remark.
The U.S. State Department has neither confirmed nor refuted Petro’s claim. According to various media reports, officials declined to comment on the matter, citing the confidentiality of visa records.
Contrary to Petro’s assertion, U.S. diplomatic sources in Bogotá and Washington deny that his visa has been withdrawn, as reported by El Espectador. Such actions would typically involve official notifications, which these sources claim have not taken place.
The Colombian president’s statement arises amid worsening tensions between the U.S. and Colombia, a relationship that has deteriorated rapidly following Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025. The countries, historically close partners in counter-narcotics efforts, are increasingly at odds over immigration and trade policies.
A major recent conflict occurred in January when Petro initially refused to accept deportation flights from the U.S. military. This standoff nearly led to a full-scale trade war between the two nations.
In response to Colombia’s refusal, Trump threatened to impose a 25 percent “emergency” tariff on Colombian imports, with the rate set to increase to 50 percent the following week if Petro’s government continued its refusal of deportation flights.
The threats 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, as well as enhanced border inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the administration’s firm approach, stating that the United States was no longer willing to be deceived or exploited by foreign governments. He emphasized that it is not merely a request but a fundamental responsibility for each nation to promptly and seriously reclaim their citizens living illegally in the U.S., describing it as an issue of fairness and national security.
Under mounting pressure from the U.S., Petro ultimately conceded. 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, with assurances of treating them with dignity and recognizing 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 aid U.S. authorities in identifying illegal immigrants.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, relations remain tense. If Petro’s claim regarding his visa is confirmed, he would become only the second Colombian president in history to have his U.S. visa revoked. The first was Ernesto Samper, who lost his visa in 1996 after allegations surfaced that his presidential campaign was financed by drug traffickers, specifically the then-dominant 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. Such a decision could heavily impact security cooperation and trade terms.
The economic impact is substantial. According to economic analysts, Colombia depends 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 have serious consequences for Colombia’s economy.
In the short term, Colombia’s finance minister, Germán Avila, who is already in Washington, D.C., this week, will assume responsibilities that would typically require 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 continue its diplomatic efforts despite the president’s apparent visa complications.
This episode represents the latest development in the changing relationship between the United States and Colombia under the Trump administration, which has adopted significantly more aggressive positions on immigration and regional diplomacy than its predecessors.
