US State Department announces visa restrictions for corruption and drug trafficking
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The U.S. State Department announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreigners who undermine democratically elected governments in the Western Hemisphere through corruption or drug trafficking. The policy, based on the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows visa bans for individuals whose presence could harm U.S. foreign policy. Initial measures affected citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Key Facts
- The U.S. State Department announced a new visa restriction policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act targeting corruption and drug trafficking.
- The policy is described as a permanent mechanism allowing restrictions as evidence emerges.
- The first measures affected citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
- The State Department revoked visas of 12 Bolivians and their family members, including former Justice Minister Iván Lima, judges, prosecutors, a police colonel, and a businessman.
- Bolivia's Attorney General Roger Mariaca was banned from entry along with his immediate relatives over alleged bribe-taking to facilitate drug trafficking.
Policy Announcement
The U.S. State Department announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreigners who undermine democratically elected governments in the Western Hemisphere through corruption or drug trafficking. The policy is based on the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows visa bans for individuals whose presence or suspected activities could have serious negative consequences for U.S. foreign policy. The State Department called the new mechanism permanent and capable of imposing restrictions as evidence emerges. The announcement references commitments made at the Doral summit and reaffirmed in the September 22 statement by leaders of the 'Shield of the Americas'.
Initial Visa Actions
The first measures affected citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The State Department revoked visas of 12 Bolivians and their family members, including former Justice Minister Iván Lima, judges, prosecutors, a police colonel, and a businessman. Nine additional Bolivian citizens without valid visas were barred from obtaining them. Washington also revoked visas of Colombian businessman Euclides Torres Romero and Senator Martha Peralta Epieyú, two unnamed Ecuadorian citizens, and Peruvian judge Juan Carlos Núñez Matos. The restrictions extend to their family members.
Bolivia Attorney General Ban
Separately, the State Department imposed an entry ban on Bolivia's Attorney General Roger Mariaca and his immediate relatives. The department accused Mariaca of accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking and helping individuals who committed violent crimes evade accountability. Mariaca's position was not included in the statement.
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