[By Guancha Observer Network, Chen Sijia] According to a report by the New York Post on April 22, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated at a cabinet meeting that he believed the US government had revoked his US visa, preventing him from attending a meeting in the United States. The US State Department refused to confirm or deny Petro's statement, citing the need to keep visa records confidential.

Petro revealed at the cabinet meeting that the visa issue prevented him from attending the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington this week. "I can't go because I believe they have already revoked my US visa," he said.

Petro added, "Actually, I don't need a visa anyway. After all, I've met Donald Duck (Donald Trump) several times, so I want to see other things." The New York Post and other American media believe that Petro's remarks were clearly a satire on former US President Trump (Donald Trump).

Petro did not specify when his visa was revoked. His last visit to the United States was in September 2024, when he attended a climate conference in Chicago and the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Video screenshot of Colombian President Petro

In response to Petro's statement, the US State Department refused to confirm or deny related reports due to the confidentiality of visa records. A spokesperson for the State Department said, "According to US law, visa records are confidential. Therefore, we cannot discuss specific details of individual cases."

In January, Trump had a conflict with Petro over immigration issues. After taking office, the US government began using planes to deport illegal immigrants within its borders. This move was opposed by Petro, who announced on January 26 that he would not allow US flights carrying Colombian immigrants to enter the country and demanded that the US formulate agreements to treat immigrants with dignity.

However, Trump immediately made a tough response, threatening visa sanctions against Colombian officials, strengthening passenger inspections, and imposing up to 50% tariffs. Ultimately, the Colombian government made concessions and agreed to accept the return of immigrants deported by the US.

CNN reported that on January 27, then Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Hilvert Murillo announced that Colombia allowed US deportation flights to enter and would deploy the presidential aircraft to help immigrants return home. The White House withdrew its threat of sanctions against the Colombian government.

According to Colombia's El Tiempo newspaper, Petro's speech at the cabinet meeting on April 22 attracted widespread attention because it is rare for a head of state's visa to be revoked. However, the newspaper cited a source from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that this might also be a misunderstanding.

The source stated that after high-level officials in Colombia communicated with the US government, the Trump administration abandoned sanctions, and visa sanctions targeting the Colombian president, senior officials, and their families were never truly implemented. They pointed out that current Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia arrived in New York on the 22nd to deliver a speech at the United Nations. "If sanctions were imposed, she would not be able to attend this meeting," they said.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496397889384530486/

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