Petro says he wasn't informed of visa restriction that blocked meeting with NYC mayor

Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated on Thursday that he was unaware of any U.S. visa restrictions that prevented him from meeting with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his recent visit to the city. Petro was in New York to participate in activities related to the UN Security Council.

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I was never informed of restrictions on my visa, and in fact, I went to the funeral of Jessi (sic) Jackson in Chicago (last March). I was never informed that I would be arrested.

Petro expressed his surprise on the social platform X, stating, "I was never informed of restrictions on my visa, and in fact, I went to the funeral of Jessi (sic) Jackson in Chicago (last March). I was never informed that I would be arrested." He added, "I believe that those of us who attend the United Nations General Assembly period as presidents of the republic are protected by U.S. law, which allows heads of state from around the world to speak freely and without consequences during that period."

The planned meeting with Mayor Mamdani was reportedly thwarted by the Trump administration, according to four individuals familiar with the matter who spoke to The Washington Post. Petro described the restriction on his freedom to speak with the mayor, a local U.S. authority, and his freedom of thought by not being allowed to give an invited lecture in Boston as "undemocratic."

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I believe that those of us who attend the United Nations General Assembly period as presidents of the republic are protected by U.S. law, which allows heads of state from around the world to speak freely and without consequences during that period.

This incident follows a previous revocation of Petro's visa in September after he urged U.S. soldiers to disobey then-President Trump regarding the Israeli offensive in Gaza during his visit to the UN High-Level Week. Petro regained his visa until the end of his term following an agreement with Trump in March. The relationship between Bogotá and Washington has been strained since January 2025, marked by significant differences, particularly concerning drug enforcement strategies.

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I consider it undemocratic that my freedom to speak with the mayor of New York, a local authority of the U.S., and my freedom of thought by not allowing me to give a conference to which I was invited in Boston, were restricted.