Colombian president says US blocked meeting with New York mayor
TLE Desk: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of restricting his freedom after he was allegedly prevented from meeting New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a recent visit to the country, reports AFP.
According to a report by The Washington Post, Petro had planned to meet Mamdani while attending meetings at the United Nations in New York. However, the meeting was reportedly cancelled after US officials warned that such an encounter could violate restrictions attached to Petro’s visa status.
Petro is currently permitted to enter the United States only on a diplomatic visa for official business following a visa ban imposed during a dispute with US President Donald Trump last year.
Responding on Thursday, Petro said he had never been informed that his movements would be restricted while in the United States.
“I consider it undemocratic that my freedom to speak with the mayor of New York was restricted… and that my freedom of thought was restricted by not allowing me to give a lecture to which I was invited in Boston,” he wrote on X.
Mamdani, a Democrat elected mayor of New York in November, campaigned on a progressive platform that included support for migrants and social welfare policies. His political positions have often been portrayed as being at odds with Trump’s agenda.
Relations between Petro and Trump have been strained over a range of issues, including migration policy, anti-narcotics operations and Colombia’s approach to combating drug trafficking.
Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president, has frequently criticised US policies and recently accused Washington of supporting political figures aligned with interests he opposes.
In an interview with AFP last week, Petro alleged that the United States was backing right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, a leading candidate in Colombia’s presidential election, despite his past legal work representing drug traffickers and other controversial clients.
De la Espriella, who is contesting the June 21 presidential runoff against left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda, has pledged to strengthen relations with Washington if elected.
Petro is set to leave office in the coming weeks after completing his presidential term.
