# US visa restrictions in Latin America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-visa-restrictions-in-latin-america
> Updated: 2026-09-28T15:55:00.000Z. Sources: 103. Developments: 2.

The United States has implemented visa revocations and new restriction policies targeting officials and individuals from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These actions are part of the ‘Shield of the Americas’ initiative, which aims to combat corruption, narcotics trafficking, and actions that undermine democratic governance.

Initial revocations targeted 27 individuals, including Bolivian Attorney General Roger Mariaca, several prosecutors, judges, and officials from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The State Department stated these measures are intended to ‘fulfill the commitments to defend democratic governance across our hemisphere against corruption and narco-trafficking.’ Specifically, Washington has accused Mariaca of abusing his public office to solicit and accept bribes to facilitate drug trafficking and assist violent criminals in evading justice. In response, Mariaca has rejected the accusations, calling for respect for Bolivian sovereignty. The Bolivian government has also indicated it will request additional evidence from the U.S. to understand the basis of these allegations.

The revocations, implemented under Section 7031(c) of U.S. law, also affect 12 other Bolivian citizens, including former Justice Minister Ivan Manolo Lima Magne and constitutional magistrate Israel Ramiro Campero Mendez. In Peru, restrictions have included judge Juan Carlos Núñez Matos. In Colombia, the scope of revocations has expanded to include Senator Martha Isabel Peralta Epieyú and businessman Euclides Antonio Torres Romero, as well as certain family members.

Subsequent policy expansions include new restrictions targeting those involved in international parental child abduction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted these measures aim to hold accountable judges, law enforcement, and judicial administrators who intentionally obstruct the return of minors to their country of habitual residence. These actions align with commitments made during the Doral Summit to defend the rule of law in the hemisphere.

## Claims

- The U.S. government revoked visas for 27 Latin American officials, former officials, and their families. (corroborated by 41 sources)
- Bolivian Attorney General Roger Mariaca is accused of abusing his public office to facilitate narcotics trafficking and corruption. (corroborated by 38 sources)
- The visa revocations are part of the Shield of the Americas initiative. (corroborated by 37 sources)
- The affected individuals include officials from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. (corroborated by 28 sources)
- Twelve Bolivian citizens and their families had their visas revoked. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- The U.S. sanctioned Colombian businessman Euclides Antonio Torres and Senator Martha Isabel Peralta. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Bolivian Attorney General Roger Mariaca rejected the U.S. accusations and called for respect for national sovereignty. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The U.S. is implementing a new policy to restrict visas for individuals responsible for or complicit in obstructing the resolution of international parental child abduction cases. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Visa revocations in Colombia also extend to certain family members of the senator and the businessman. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The U.S. revoked the visa of Peruvian judge Juan Carlos Núñez Matos. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: United States revokes visas for officials in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

The U.S. has revoked visas for 27 officials and their families from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, citing involvement in corruption and narcotics trafficking under the ‘Shield of the Americas’ initiative

89 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-revokes-visas-for-27-latin-american-officials

### 2026-09-28: United States implements new visa restrictions for child abduction and corruption

The U.S. is implementing new visa restrictions to target those obstructing international child abduction cases and individuals linked to corruption or drug trafficking under the ‘Shield of the Americas’ policy.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-announces-new-visa-restrictions-for-child-abduction-and-corruption

---
Cite as: US visa restrictions in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-visa-restrictions-in-latin-america