The Consular Section of the US Embassy in Colombia will temporarily suspend visa services. This was stated in a statement by the State Department press service.
“Following Colombian President Gustavo Petro's refusal to accept two repatriation flights that he had previously authorized, [US] Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately ordered the suspension of visa services at the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Bogota“, the document states.
It is specified that in this way the United States imposes travel restrictions on Colombian officials responsible for refusing to accept the two flights carrying deported migrants. These restrictions will also apply to their families.
The statement stressed that this decision, which essentially affects all Colombians applying for US visas, not just officials against whom Washington has imposed sanctions, will remain in force until Colombia fulfills its obligations to accept deported fellow citizens.
On Sunday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro banned US military planes carrying deported Colombian migrants from landing in the country. In response, US President Donald Trump said that Washington would impose visa and financial sanctions against Colombia, as well as a 25% trade tariff on Colombian goods. The owner of the White House indicated that in a week they will increase to 50%, adding that this is "just the beginning".
The Republican has repeatedly spoken out in favor of tightening immigration policy and the forced deportation of illegal immigrants.
The Petro administration reported that Colombia is actively negotiating with the United States on the issue of deporting compatriots and is preparing a presidential plane for their return. At the same time, Petro said that his country is introducing retaliatory tariffs on goods from the United States in the amount of 25%.