On September 28, 2026, the U.S. revoked visas for 27 officials, judges, and entrepreneurs from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, accusing them of corruption, narcotrafficking, or undermining democratic governments, as part of the Escudo de las Américas alliance under President Donald Trump.
The U.S. Department of State announced the visa restrictions on September 28, 2026, targeting officials from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru linked to corruption, narcotrafficking, or actions that undermine a democratically elected government in the region, according to a statement. The policy, framed as part of the Escudo de las Américas alliance, aims to combat activities of corruption or drug trafficking that threaten democratic institutions. The alliance, launched by Trump in March of this year, includes countries in the region, with leaders pledging collective measures against organized crime.
Key Figures and Legal Rationale
The measures specifically name Bolivia’s Attorney General Roger Mariaca, accused of facilitating drug trafficking and aiding violent criminals, and other high-ranking officials such as magistrates, prosecutors, and a police colonel. The U.S. cited Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which restricts visas for individuals who undermine a democratically elected government through corruption or drug trafficking. The list includes Bolivia’s ex-minister of Justice Iván Manolo Lima, constitutional magistrate Israel Ramiro Campero, and police colonel Frans William Cabrera, among others. In Bolivia, 13 officials and one entrepreneur were named, including fiscal superior Martín Daniel Irusta, anticorruption judge Albania Chane Caballero, and fiscal titular of Santa Cruz Alberto Zeballos, according to the Department of State. Bolivia’s government, already grappling with protests and a state of emergency declared on June 20, faced additional scrutiny.
Among the affected are Colombia’s senator Martha Isabel Peralta, linked to the leftist Pacto Histórico, and Ecuador’s unnamed officials, though no specific names were provided. Peru’s judge Juan Carlos Núñez, involved in a dispute over the Chancay Port, was also targeted. The U.S. emphasized that the policy applies to foreign citizens—and their direct family members—undermine a democratically elected government through corruption or drug trafficking activities.
In Ecuador, two unnamed citizens and their families were sanctioned, though no details were released. The U.S. cited the Escudo de las Américas alliance as the legal framework for the restrictions, stating, Under Trump’s administration, corrupt foreign officials can no longer freely enter the United States,
according to a Department of State statement. The policy restricts the issuance of visas for foreign citizens—and their immediate family members—who undermine a democratically elected government through corruption or drug trafficking activities,
the statement added.
Regional Context and Alliance Implications
The visa restrictions align with the Escudo de las Américas, a regional alliance launched by Trump in March of this year to counter corruption and drug trafficking. The move follows recent elections in Colombia and Peru, where leaders aligned with Trump took office. The Department of State emphasized that the policy is part of a broader effort to defend democratic governance across our hemisphere against corruption and drug trafficking,
as stated in a press release. The action coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where he pledged U.S. support for efforts to combat narcotráfico and human trafficking, according to AP.
Reactions and Unanswered Questions
The Department of State stated that the measures are a response to cases that, from their perspective, involve corruption, drug trafficking, or actions that affect institutions and democratically elected governments.
In Colombia, officials expressed concerns that the targeted individuals were obstructing their efforts to combat crime.
The U.S. also cited the Escudo de las Américas alliance as the legal framework for the restrictions, stating, Under Trump’s administration, corrupt foreign officials can no longer freely enter the United States,
according to a Department of State statement. The policy restricts the issuance of visas for foreign citizens—and their immediate family members—who undermine a democratically elected government through corruption or drug trafficking activities,
the statement added. The action coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where he pledged U.S. support for efforts to combat narcotráfico and human trafficking, according to AP.