US Embassy in Colombia Halts Visa Issuance After Colombian President Blocks Deportation Flights

The US Embassy in Colombia announced the suspension of its visa section, effective this Monday, January 27, 2025. This decision follows Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to allow US flights carrying deported Colombian nationals to land in the country.

With the intensification of deportation policies in President Donald Trump’s administration, two flights from California, carried out on US military C-17 aircraft and carrying about 80 Colombian migrants each, were supposed to land in Bogotá on the morning of January 26, according to NBC News.

President Petro initially announced a warm welcome of returning deportees, inviting Colombians to greet them “with flags and flowers,” via X/Twitter. However, less than an hour later the tweet was deleted, and another one was sent, emphasizing the need for the US government to implement “dignified treatment protocols” for Colombian nationals before they would be accepted back. “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I deauthorize the entry of US planes with Colombian migrants into our territory,” said Petro.

The reversal triggered a quick reaction from the US government. According to journalist Juan Camilo Merlano of popular Colombian news program Noticias Caracol, sources close to the US administration revealed plans for retaliatory measures. The immediate step was the suspension of visa services in Colombia.

“In response to President Petro’s refusal to accept two deportation flights, which he had previously approved at the highest instances of government, the US Embassy in Colombia will close its visa section starting January 27. Additional retaliatory measures will follow,” the journalist tweeted.

While no official confirmation has been issued by the US State Department, the visa suspension marks a significant blow to bilateral relations.

The deportations carried out by the United States have already sparked controversy with several Latin American leaders, as Brazil has also denounced that the US authorities have used handcuffs against Brazilian citizens on these flights, something that is not established within the conditions of a repatriation flight.

New Colombian Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia, defended President Petro’s decision, citing concerns about the treatment of Colombian deportees. Sarabia stated that the government remains open to dialogue with the United States but emphasized the need for humane and respectful deportation protocols.

“The Colombian government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a dignified return for our nationals. We seek respectful, humane treatment and adequate conditions, including civil and dignified transportation. We are open to dialogue with the US to verify and strengthen deportation protocols,” Sarabia stated.

Headline photo: President Gustavo Petro (Photo: Presidencia de la República)