On Friday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Havana for an official visit, where he was welcomed at the Palace of the Revolution by Miguel Díaz-Canel. This marks Petro's final international trip before handing over power on August 7.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on its official site that Petro landed at José Martí International Airport and was greeted on the tarmac by Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro.
The bilateral agenda, outlined by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focuses on "advancements in relations between the two countries," emphasizing economic and trade relations, investment, cooperation, and topics of regional and international interest.
Significance of Petro's Visit to Cuba
Scheduled to last around 48 hours, the visit carries significant symbolism: it is Petro's third trip to Cuba during his presidency and his final one as head of state.
Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio stated that the visit aimed to "express political solidarity with Cuba, thank the Cuban people, and reiterate in international forums the defense of state sovereignty and autonomy."
Petro had previously announced on his social media account that he replaced a planned trip to the United States with a visit to Cuba, a move some critics viewed as a last-minute political statement.
Controversy and Political Implications
The trip sparked controversy in Colombia. Carolina Gómez, spokesperson for President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, criticized the decision as irrelevant to Colombians' benefits.
The political context makes this visit a farewell gesture with historical implications. De la Espriella, who has right-wing tendencies and aligns with the Trump administration, announced on July 27 the severing of diplomatic ties with Cuba starting from his inauguration, marking Petro's visit as the final chapter of a period of rapprochement between the two nations.
Should this rupture occur, it would be the third in Cuba-Colombia relations history. The Cuban regime reacted to De la Espriella's announcement by labeling it as aligning with the United States, while Marco Rubio congratulated Colombia's president-elect after his win in June, and Trump celebrated the end of the Petro era.
Petro's Previous Visits and Support for Cuba
During his tenure, Petro visited Cuba twice before: in June 2023, for the conclusion of the third round of peace talks with the ELN—in which Cuba served as a guarantor and host—and in September of the same year, for the G77+China summit, where he also held bilateral discussions with Díaz-Canel.
Petro has been one of the few Latin American leaders to publicly support Cuba in the past year: he called on Trump to revise his policy towards the island, stated that Cuba "should be helped and applauded," and ordered the shipment of Colombian rice to the island in May 2026, a gesture for which Díaz-Canel publicly expressed gratitude.
Cuba's Crisis and Public Reception
The visit occurs amid Cuba's severe economic, energy, and social crisis, characterized by prolonged power outages, shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, and ongoing mass emigration. The regime attributes these issues to the U.S. embargo but they stem from decades of dictatorial governance.
On social media, Petro's reception generated mixed reactions among Cubans. Many questioned the practical value of the visit for a population facing daily shortages, while others viewed it as symbolic political support during a time of increasing international isolation for the regime.
Petro's Visit to Cuba: Key Questions Answered
Why did Gustavo Petro visit Cuba on his final trip as president?
Gustavo Petro visited Cuba to express political solidarity, thank the Cuban people, and reaffirm in international forums the defense of state sovereignty and autonomy.
What was the reaction to Petro's visit in Colombia?
The visit was controversial, with critics arguing it did not benefit Colombians, while some saw it as a political statement. Carolina Gómez, spokesperson for President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, criticized the decision.
What impact could De la Espriella's stance have on Cuba-Colombia relations?
De la Espriella's decision to cut diplomatic ties with Cuba could mark the third rupture in their relations, aligning more closely with the United States and ending the period of rapprochement initiated by Petro.