Colombian President Claims Visa Revoked by Trump!

In a surprising twist, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Tuesday that his access to the United States has been revoked, referring to President Donald Trump as 'Donald Duck' in a cabinet meeting at the Casa de Nariño, his presidential office in Bogotá.

"I can’t go anymore because they took away my visa," remarked Petro, revealing the reason for his absence from a key International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington, D.C. He added, with a hint of sarcasm, "I didn’t need a visa, but oh well. I’ve seen Donald Duck several times, so I’m going to see other things."

International Tensions Heat Up!

This eyebrow-raising incident unfolds as Colombia's Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia, prepares for a pivotal trip to New York to address the United Nations Security Council. With Petro unable to attend, Finance Minister Germán Avila will represent Colombia at official functions this week.

The escalating tensions trace back to earlier threats from Trump, who warned of "decisive retaliatory measures" against Colombian officials for blocking U.S. military flights carrying migrants in January. Although those threats were diffused through diplomatic efforts, Petro’s comments suggest that retaliatory actions may already be in play.

The Back-and-Forth Continues!

In January, Trump announced a series of punitive measures on Truth Social, which included a staggering 25% emergency tariff and revoked visas for key Colombian officials. Petro responded with his own measures, directing his foreign trade minister to raise tariffs on U.S. imports by the same amount.

A Viral Controversy!

Meanwhile, an old video resurfaced online amid the diplomatic spat, showing Petro allegedly walking arm in arm with transgender newscaster Linda Yepes during a trip to Panama. Despite the uproar, Petro has yet to deny his presence in the footage.

Changing Relationships with the U.S.

After a cordial meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House in April 2023, the relationship between Colombia and the U.S. appears to be on shaky ground now.

Official Response Remains Ambiguous!

A representative from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, when approached by BLU Radio, declined to confirm the validity of Petro's statement, citing that visa records are confidential under U.S. law. They emphasized that there has been no formal notification of any visa revocation.

The Daily Beast has also reached out for comments from the Trump administration, leaving many wondering about the future of U.S.-Colombia relations.

What's Next?

As this saga unfolds, all eyes are on the diplomatic dance between Petro and Trump, leaving many to speculate: what will happen next in this high-stakes international drama?