U.S. bars 21 Colombian nationals and their families from entry

The United States imposed visa restrictions on 21 Colombian nationals on Thursday, 22 October 2026, in an expansion of a policy aimed at barring entry to people in Latin America whom the Trump administration accuses of corruption or narcotrafficking. The State Department named seven former and current Colombian officials among those targeted and said the restrictions extend to their families.

Key facts

• Announced: Thursday, 22 October 2026, by the U.S. State Department and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• Who is affected: 21 Colombian nationals, including seven named former and current officials, plus their families.
• Reason given: Corruption or narcotrafficking allegations, investigations and convictions in Colombia.
• Policy basis: A State Department policy unveiled in September to restrict visas for people whose corruption or narcotrafficking undermines democratically elected governments in the Western Hemisphere.

Who has been named?

The State Department named seven former and current Colombian officials. Six of them have been linked to corruption or criminal investigations in Colombia.

The seventh is José Ignacio Mesa Betancur, a former congressman and mayor of Envigado, who was convicted and sentenced to 76 months in prison in May 2025. His conviction was upheld in late August over his involvement in a criminal organisation that financed his political campaigns and helped secure him votes going back to at least 1995, in exchange for influence over government decisions.

The other named targets are Ricardo Roa Barragán, former president of the state-run energy company Ecopetrol; Yahir Fernando Acuña Cardales, mayor of Sincelejo; Wadith Alberto Manzur Imbett, senator-elect and former member of the House of Representatives; Julio Elías Chagüí Flórez, former senator; and Liliana Esther Bitar Castilla, former senator.

Why is this happening?

The measures form part of a broader push by the Trump administration to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere. In March, President Donald Trump announced the Shield of the Americas initiative to combat transnational criminal organisations alongside Latin American nations led by right-leaning governments or those aligned with him. Colombia and Peru joined the initiative following right-wing electoral victories.

At the second leaders' meeting in New York City last month, the 15 participating governments issued a declaration stating their intention to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on members, associates and supporters of 24 identified criminal organisations. About a week later, the State Department set out the visa policy applied in this case.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy targets foreign nationals "regardless of their political affiliation", and that the administration stands with Colombia as it works to remove criminal influence from its courts, police forces and legislature.

The announcement concerns named individuals and their families. No further visa restrictions on ordinary travellers to or from Colombia were detailed.