US restricts visas for 47 Colombian and Bolivian politicians over corruption and drug trafficking
Washington sanctioned seven Colombians and 40 Bolivians, including former officials and legislators. The measures are framed within the Shield of the Americas.
Washington sanctions Colombian and Bolivian officials with visa restrictions
The United States announced on Thursday 22 October 2026 visa restrictions for seven Colombian citizens and another 40 Bolivians, among them former officials, legislators and figures linked to politics in both countries. According to elcomercio.com, the Donald Trump Government justified the measures as part of its regional strategy against corruption and drug trafficking.
In Colombia, the list includes Ricardo Roa, former president of state-owned oil company Ecopetrol and former campaign chief for former president Gustavo Petro. Also on the list are the mayor of Sincelejo, Yahir Acuña; senator-elect Wadith Manzur; elected representative Karen Manrique; former senators Julio Elías Chagüí and Liliana Bitar; and former congressman and former mayor of Envigado José Ignacio Mesa.
The State Department explained that the measures against Colombian citizens form part of the Shield of the Americas campaign, a regional alliance led by Trump to combat corruption and drug trafficking. The new Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, joined the initiative.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a statement that the Trump Administration supports the efforts of the Colombian Government to eliminate criminal influence. According to Rubio, that presence affects institutions such as courts, police forces and the legislative branch.
The restrictions are based on a policy announced on 28 September last, aimed at foreign citizens who, through corruption or drug trafficking, weaken Latin American governments.
Roa, among the most flagged
Among the Colombians affected, Ricardo Roa stepped back from the presidency of Ecopetrol on 7 April through an unpaid leave of absence, amid judicial and administrative investigations. The Colombian Prosecutor's Office charged him on 11 March with the crime of undue influence by a public official, in connection with the purchase of an apartment in Bogotá and its possible link to contracts awarded by Ecopetrol.
On 12 May, the Prosecutor's Office additionally charged him with violating campaign spending limits, for alleged irregularities in the financial report of Petro's 2022 presidential campaign, which Roa directed.
Wadith Manzur, Karen Manrique and Liliana Bitar face proceedings for alleged offers of contracts and projects for their regions in exchange for support for credit operations of the Petro Government in 2023.
40 Bolivians sanctioned, including direct family members
In Bolivia, the restrictions reach 15 officials or former officials and 25 direct family members. Among those affected are former attorney general Juan Lanchipa and Freddy Bismarck, former head of the anti-drug trafficking efforts in that country.
Washington accuses the Bolivians of participating in acts of corruption or of maintaining links to drug trafficking. The State Department communicated that it will apply the restrictions in compliance with commitments adopted in September during the follow-up summit of the Shield of the Americas.
The measures are not limited to those who held public office, but also reach members of their families. With these announcements, Washington extends to Colombia and Bolivia its policy of migration restrictions against people linked to corrupt practices or activities related to drug trafficking.
Source: Google News BO — Crime