In an unexpected diplomatic twist, Colombian President Gustavo Petro revealed on April 21, 2025, that his U.S. travel visa had been revoked by the Trump administration. This action prevents him from participating in key international assemblies in Washington, D.C., and intensifies the strain between the two countries.
Petro disclosed this information during a televised cabinet meeting at Casa de Narino, the presidential residence in Bogotá. He stated: “I can’t go anymore because I think they took away my visa.” Thus, the Colombian president explained his absence from the spring meetings organized by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the U.S. capital.
The announcement emerged casually amidst discussions centered on other topics. The offhand remark during a live Cabinet session, convened to address a yellow fever outbreak, surprised his ministers and has since attracted considerable international attention.
Petro, the first leftist leader of Colombia, further commented on 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, referring to President Trump as “Donald Duck” in what seemed to be a dismissive comment.
The U.S. State Department has not confirmed or denied Petro’s assertion. As reported by multiple media outlets, when queried about the matter, officials refused to comment, citing the confidentiality of visa records.
Despite Petro’s claims, U.S. diplomatic sources in Bogotá and Washington deny that his visa has been revoked, according to El Espectador. Typically, such actions are accompanied by official notifications, which these sources indicate have not been issued.
The Colombian leader’s statement comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Colombia, a relationship that deteriorated following Trump’s re-election in January 2025. The nations, historically close allies in anti-narcotics efforts, have increasingly clashed over immigration and trade policies.
The most significant recent conflict arose in January when Petro initially refused to accept deportation flights from the U.S. military. The standoff nearly led to a full-scale trade war between the two nations.
In response to Colombia’s stance, Trump threatened to impose a 25 percent “emergency” tariff on Colombian imports, which would increase to a 50 percent tariff the following week if Petro’s government continued to block the deportation flights.
The threat extended beyond tariffs. Trump announced plans to enforce a “travel ban and immediate visa revocations” and “visa sanctions” on government officials and their family members and supporters, and to enhance border inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the administration’s firm stance, saying the United States was done being deceived or exploited by foreign governments. He emphasized that it is not just a request but a fundamental responsibility for each nation to promptly and seriously reclaim their citizens who are living illegally in the U.S., framing it as an issue of fairness and national security.
Under increasing pressure from the U.S., Petro eventually conceded. On a Sunday night in January, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that the impasse with the United States had been resolved and confirmed that Colombia would resume accepting its deported citizens, ensuring their dignified treatment and recognition of their rights.
Following the agreement, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Colombia in late March to meet with her counterpart, Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia. The two officials held what Noem described as a “candid” discussion 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 is accurate, he would be 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 drug traffickers, particularly the then-influential Cali Cartel, financed his presidential campaign.
The visa controversy underscores broader issues in the bilateral relationship. Disagreements over drug policy and a significant increase in coca cultivation have strained U.S.-Colombia relations. With an estimated 1.7 million 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 implications are substantial. According to economic analysts, Colombia relies on access to the U.S. market for about a third of its exports, or approximately 4% of its GDP. Any decline in trade relations could have profound consequences for Colombia’s economy.
In the short term, Colombia’s finance minister, Germán Avila, who was already in Washington, D.C. last week, will assume responsibilities that would typically require the president’s presence. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia traveled to New York to address the United Nations Security Council, allowing Colombia to continue its diplomatic efforts despite the president’s apparent visa issues.
This episode marks the latest chapter in the evolving relationship between the United States and Colombia under the Trump administration, which has taken significantly more aggressive positions on immigration and regional diplomacy than its predecessors.
