U.S. Expands Visa Sanctions on Colombian Officials in Anti-Corruption Push

The U.S. Department of State is intensifying its efforts to combat corruption and drug trafficking across Latin America. These moves build upon prior commitments made during the Doral Summit in March and reaffirmed in the Shield of the Americas leaders’ statement on September 22. The aim is to bolster regional stability and democratic governance through targeted sanctions.

Under the policy introduced on September 28, the Department has now designated 21 additional individuals in Colombia under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This provision enables the Secretary of State to deny visas to foreign nationals whose presence in the United States could pose significant risks to U.S. foreign policy interests. Those targeted are individuals involved in corrupt practices or narcotrafficking networks that threaten democratic institutions—regardless of their political affiliations. The Trump administration continues to express solidarity with Colombia’s ongoing fight against criminal organizations embedded within its judiciary, law enforcement, and legislative branches.

Colombia: As part of this latest designation round, seven new Colombian nationals have been sanctioned under this authority:

• Ricardo ROA BARRAGAN, Former President of Ecopetrol
• Yahir Fernando ACUNA CARDALES, Mayor of Sincelejo
• Wadith Alberto MANZUR IMBETT, Senator-elect and Former Member of the House of Representatives
• Karen Astrith MANRIQUE OLARTE, Representative-elect for the House of Representatives
• Julio Elias CHAGUI FLOREZ, Former Senator
• Liliana Esther BITAR CASTILLA, Former Senator
• Jose Ignacio MESA BETANCUR, Former Congressman and Former Mayor of Envigado

These designations reflect a continued U.S. commitment to holding accountable those whose actions undermine peace and security in the Western Hemisphere. Families of the sanctioned individuals are also included in the restrictions.

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