Background on President Gustavo Petro
Gustavo Petro is a Colombian politician and the current President of Colombia, serving since August 2018. A former member of the M-19 guerrilla group and a senator, Petro has been known for his progressive policies and advocacy for social justice. His presidency has been marked by efforts to address inequality, corruption, and violence in Colombia.
Controversial Statements and Actions
On a Friday in Manhattan, Petro used a megaphone to urge U.S. soldiers to disobey orders from then-President Donald Trump, stating, “¡I demand that all the soldiers of the U.S. army not point their rifles at humanity! Disobey Trump’s order! Obey the order of humanity!”
His actions reportedly led to the U.S. government revoking Petro’s visa for travel to the country.
Criticism from Colombian Politicians
A group of presidential hopefuls and political leaders in Colombia released a statement rejecting Petro’s declarations and actions. The document claims that his conduct violated the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and respect for foreign sovereignty.
The critics argue that Petro’s call for foreign soldiers to disobey orders contradicts the United Nations Charter and the OAS Charter, which uphold respect for national sovereignty.
The statement also asserts that Petro diverts attention from domestic violence and insecurity under his administration, while attempting to position himself as a global leader.
Signatories of the Criticism
The letter, signed by prominent political figures such as Mauricio Cárdenas, Felipe Córdoba, Juan Manuel Galán, and Mauricio Gómez Amín, emphasizes that Petro’s words do not represent Colombia or its citizens.
The document highlights that Colombia values cooperation, mutual respect, and friendship with the United States. The signatories call for Colombia to regain its serious and respectful voice on the global stage through diplomacy.
Petro’s Response to Visa Revocation
The Pato Donald Reference
Upon returning to Colombia, Petro downplayed the U.S. government’s decision regarding his visa. He wrote on Twitter, “I won’t see the Pato Donald again for now… I arrive in Bogotá. I no longer have a visa to travel to the U.S. It doesn’t matter… I am not just a Colombian citizen but also a European citizen, and in reality, I consider myself a free person in the world.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Gustavo Petro? Gustavo Petro is the current President of Colombia, known for his progressive policies and advocacy for social justice.
- What were Petro’s controversial statements? Petro urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders from then-President Donald Trump, which led to the revocation of his U.S. visa.
- Who criticized Petro’s actions? A group of Colombian politicians, including Mauricio Cárdenas, Felipe Córdoba, Juan Manuel Galán, and Mauricio Gómez Amín, released a statement rejecting Petro’s declarations.
- What were the main points of criticism? Critics argued that Petro’s actions violated principles of non-interference and respect for foreign sovereignty, and that he diverted attention from domestic issues.
- How did Petro respond to the visa revocation? Petro downplayed the U.S. government’s decision, stating that he is a free person in the world and not just a Colombian citizen.
