John Otis

destroyed a boat carrying Colombian citizens and that a, quote, new war scenario had opened up in the Caribbean.

The White House called Petro's statement baseless and reprehensible.

For NPR News, I'm John Otis.

The decision to cancel President Gustavo Petro's visa came after he addressed a pro-Palestinian rally in New York where he called on American troops to disobey President Trump.

Back in Colombia Saturday, Petro scoffed at his visa cancellation and heaped even more scorn on Trump for his strong support for Israel in its war against Hamas.

On social media, Petro told Trump, do not surround yourself with the perpetrators of genocide.

Although the U.S.

and Colombia have a long history of cooperation, Trump and Petro have repeatedly clashed over everything from tariffs to recent U.S.

airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea.

For NPR News, I'm John Otis in Bogota, Colombia.