US restricts visas of 27 Latin American figures over alleged corruption and narco-trafficking

The State Department announced on Monday that it had revoked or restricted US visas for 27 Latin American individuals. 1 2 Those targeted are from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and include officials, former officials and family members. 1 Breitbart reports the list also includes lawmakers, judges, police officers and businesspeople, and that immediate relatives are covered. 2

The Hill describes the basis as allegations of corruption and drug-trafficking ties. 1 Breitbart quotes the State Department as saying the policy, under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, targets those who undermine a democratically elected government through corruption or drug trafficking. 2 Bolivia accounts for the most cases: 12 people had visas revoked and nine others were made ineligible. 2

The State Department publicly designated Bolivian Attorney General Roger Mariaca, alleging he solicited and accepted bribes to facilitate narco-trafficking. 2 1 Mariaca called the move interference and a surprise, said he respects each nation's decisions, and said he would not let his career or family be unfairly affected. 2 In Colombia, businessman Euclides Torres and Senator Martha Isabel Peralta lost visas; Peralta said she learned of it through the media and would seek a formal explanation. 2

A Peruvian constitutional court judge and two unnamed Ecuadorians were also affected. 2