Colombian President petro to Attend UN Security council Despite US Sanctions
colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced his intention to travel to New York to participate in sessions of the United Nations Security Council, even with recent sanctions imposed by the United States.Colombia is slated to become a member of the council on January 1, 2026.
The declaration comes despite the revocation of Petro’s US visa and his inclusion on the clinton list – a US mechanism for financial sanctions targeting individuals and entities allegedly linked to drug trafficking or money laundering. Petro,speaking to Al Jazeera,stated,”Colombia will be,as of january 1,a member of the Security Council.I will have the pleasure of returning to New York, even if the federal goverment does not want to receive me there.”
Petro intends to address escalating international conflicts during the council sessions,specifically citing the war in Sudan. He also expressed a willingness to yield Colombia’s seat to Palestinian representatives, acknowledging potential vetoes from the US. “I will give the seat to the Palestinians, knowing that they veto us,” he said.
The diplomatic tensions stem from Petro’s participation in a New York protest where he urged US soldiers to disobey orders from then-President Donald Trump. The US State Department responded by announcing the visa revocation, stating Petro’s actions were “reckless and inflammatory.”
In addition to the president, his wife, Veronica Alcocer, his son, Nicolas Petro, and Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti, have also been added to the Clinton list.All four have indicated plans to pursue legal action to have their names removed.
The sanctions are already impacting the Colombian Presidency’s operations. During a recent trip to the Middle East, several companies refused to refuel the presidential plane due to concerns about potential secondary sanctions from the US.
Petro characterized the US actions as political persecution, linking them to his international stances, notably his criticism of US military intervention in the caribbean and his support for the Palestinian people. He described the situation as “a chase,” noting the inclusion of himself, his ex-wife, and his eldest son on the list and the possibility of further individuals being added.
