Colombian President Hits Trump Where It Hurts — His Ego
Gustavo Petro as president of Colombia in 2022. Photo by Samantha Power (U.S. Agency for International Development). Public domain.
It started with a no-show in Washington and ended with a nickname that has diplomatic circles and social media feeds buzzing.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, known for his bluntness and anti-establishment flair, told his cabinet this week that he's been quietly barred from entering the United States. That allegation alone would've stirred headlines — but it was his follow-up crack that turned the incident into international political theater.
The question now: Was this a diplomatic misstep or a calculated jab dressed in cartoon colors?
A Mysterious Visa Revocation
Petro's revelation came during a nationally televised cabinet meeting meant to address a yellow fever outbreak. Instead, he stole his own spotlight by revealing why he wasn't attending the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, D.C. "I can't go [to the U.S.] anymore because I believe they took away my visa," he said, according to the Independent.
The U.S. State Department has not confirmed the claim. "Visa records are confidential under U.S. law; therefore, we cannot discuss the details of individual visa cases," a department spokesperson told the New York Post.
An official from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá echoed that sentiment, telling local press there has been "no formal notification of a visa revocation," as reported by the Daily Beast.
But the political backdrop makes Petro's allegation plausible — and charged.
Colombia's Clash With the Trump Administration
The likely trigger for this visa drama? A months-long standoff over U.S. deportation flights.
In January, Petro initially refused to accept the return of Colombian nationals deported by the Trump administration. On X, formerly Twitter, Petro wrote, "I do not authorize the entry of North American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory. The U.S. must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them. A migrant is not a criminal and should be treated with the dignity a human being deserves. We will receive our nationals in civilian airplanes, without treating them as criminals. Colombia must be respected," according to the Independent.
Trump responded swiftly — and forcefully. His administration halted visa applications for Colombians, promised emergency tariffs of up to 25%, and revoked the visas of Colombian government officials.
Under mounting pressure, Petro relented. He greenlit the flights and even offered the U.S. access to Colombia's presidential aircraft to facilitate the deportations.
That retreat may have avoided a trade war — but it didn't thaw the diplomatic chill. If anything, the bad blood only festered.
A Cartoon Comeback
This brings us back to that Cabinet meeting. After revealing his alleged visa revocation, Petro offered a parting line, according to the Independent, that ricocheted across global media, saying, "I didn't really need a visa, but anyway, I've already seen Donald Duck several times, so I'll go see other things."
And just like that, Donald Trump had a new international nickname — this time courtesy of a sitting head of state.
To some, it was an offhand joke. To others, it was a calculated slight aimed at a president known for his bombast and sensitivity to ridicule. Analysts compared it to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's 2023 jab when he also dubbed Trump "Donald Duck" for avoiding GOP primary debates.
Petro's use of the phrase may have been more deliberate. In Latin American politics, name-calling — especially involving animals or fictional characters — can serve as a form of satirical resistance. And with Trump intensifying deportations across the region, Petro's cartoon jab may have been his way of fighting back without drawing formal diplomatic fire.
Is This Just the Beginning?
Colombia's Finance Minister is now handling the country's official presence at U.S. meetings while Petro remains in Bogotá. His Foreign Minister is expected to travel to New York next week to address the United Nations Security Council — a sign that, while the tension is real, it hasn't yet reached a full rupture.
Still, Petro's comment might not be forgotten anytime soon. In the age of viral politics, a single line — especially one involving a famous cartoon duck — can carry more diplomatic weight than a press release.
Trump has yet to respond publicly, but given his history with nicknames, the next move may not be far behind.
References: Colombian President Gustavo Petro claims Trump administration revoked his US visa | Colombian president says US has revoked his visa and appears to mock Trump as ‘Donald Duck’ | World Leader Stunned After 'Donald Duck' Revokes His Visa
