Colombian leader reveals nickname for Donald Trump after having US visa revoked
by Emma Soteriou · LBCBy Emma Soteriou
Colombian president Gustavo Petro has revealed his nickname for Donald Trump after having his travel visa revoked.
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Petro claimed the Trump administration had revoked his visa to attend meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The leader will instead be replaced by the Minister of Finance Germán Avila.
Explaining why he would not be attending the upcoming meeting in the US, Petro said: "I can’t go anymore because I think they took away my visa."
He added: "I didn’t need a visa, but oh well. I’ve seen Donald Duck several times, so I’m going to see other things."
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It follows a period of heightened tension between Petro and Trump.
At the start of the year, Trump threatened a slew of sanctions on Colombia after Petro refused to allow repatriation flights carrying so-called illegal criminals to land.
Petro said at the time: "You don't like our freedom, okay. I don't shake hands with white slavers.
"Overthrow me, President, and the Americas and humanity will respond... You can try to carry out a coup with your economic strength and your arrogance."
Meanwhile, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia.
"This order was given by Colombia's Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people.
"Petro's denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States, so l have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures.
"These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!"
Colombia eventually backed down, agreeing to accept deported migrants, with the White House shelving their plans for tariffs.