U.S. expands visa bans to include nearly two dozen Colombian officials and relatives
The United States announced visa restrictions on almost 24 Colombian individuals, targeting former and current officials and their families for alleged corruption or drug trafficking.
On Thursday, the United States imposed visa restrictions on nearly two dozen Colombians, including seven named politicians and their families, as part of a broader effort to curb corruption and narcotrafficking. Six of the officials are linked to ongoing investigations, while former congressman José Ignacio Mesa Betancur was convicted and sentenced to 76 months for financing a criminal organization. The list also features former Ecopetrol chief Ricardo Roa Barragán, Sincelejo mayor Yahir Fernando Acuña Cardales, senator-elect Wadith Alberto Manzur Imbett, former senator Julio Elías Chagüí Flórez and former senators Liliana Esther Bitar Castilla.
The action aligns with the Shield of the Americas program announced by President Donald Trump, which aims to coordinate sanctions among 15 American nations. At a recent leaders’ meeting in New York City, participants pledged to target members and supporters of identified criminal groups. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the new visa policy targets foreign nationals irrespective of their political ties and backs Colombia’s fight against criminal influence in its institutions.
Why it matters
The bans signal heightened U.S. pressure on Latin American officials accused of corruption, affecting diplomatic ties and anti-crime cooperation.
In this story
