US Embassy in Colombia Cancels Visa Appointments Amid Deportation Dispute

Trade tensions rise as countries negotiate deportation flight protocols
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Jan 28, 2025 2:15 AM CST
US Embassy in Colombia Cancels Visa Appointments Amid Deportation Dispute
People stand outside the U.S. embassy in Bogota, Colombia, where visa applicants were notified that appointments were canceled due to Colombian President Gustavo Petro's refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian citizens from the United States, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.   (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

The United States canceled visa appointments at its embassy in Colombia on Monday amid a diplomatic dispute between US President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over deportation flights. The issue arose when Petro refused to allow two US Air Force planes carrying Colombian deportees to land, insisting that deportation flights would only resume when protocols ensured dignified treatment for expelled migrants. Those whose visa appointments were canceled must probably now wait several months for a new appointment, affecting many travelers.

President Trump also announced potential economic penalties, including a 25% tariff on Colombian exports and revocation of US visas for Colombian officials. The US State Department paused visa issuance to Colombians until deportation flights resumed. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce remarked, "This was about reminding Colombia that there is a price to pay if you go against your agreements, things that you promise," and added, "Ultimately, what one would expect to happen did happen. They said 'oh, our bad,' and they reversed everything."

Following negotiations, Colombia agreed to US terms, sending an Air Force plane to pick up deportees from one of the refused flights. Tariffs on Colombian goods were put on hold, though visa measures remain until deportations successfully resume. Last year, Colombia accepted 124 deportation flights, highlighting its longstanding cooperation on such matters. The State Department has not commented on when visa appointments might resume.

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The situation affected Colombian citizens like Elio Camelo, who stated, "President Petro did not represent our interests," and Mauricio Manrique, who noted, "There is a lot of uncertainty now over what will happen next." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)