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2 clusters · 174 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

US visa sanctions in the Western Hemisphere

Overview

Under the ‘Shield of the Americas’ (Escudo de las Américas) initiative, the United States government has revoked or canceled visas for 26 officials, former officials, and businesspeople from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The U.S. Department of State stated these measures aim to combat corruption, narcotics trafficking, and activities that undermine democratic governance and the rule of law.

In Bolivia, the sanctions specifically target the judicial and political sectors. Among those affected is Attorney General Roger Mariaca, whom the U.S. accuses of using his office to solicit bribes and facilitate drug trafficking, specifically by “helping violent criminals evade justice.” The visa cancellations coincide with Mariaca’s investigation into the ‘Cerimedo Case,’ which involves an alleged attempted murder of lawyer Nadia Beller and connections to political networks. While the U.S. has leveled these accusations, no evidence has been publicly presented.

Mariaca has rejected the U.S. actions, characterizing the decision as a violation of national sovereignty and asserting he will not “back down even a centimeter.” He maintains that political pressure must not impede judicial investigations. The investigation involves Fernando Cerimedo, an Argentine digital operator described by The Economist as “the MAGA man in Latin America,” who has provided advisory services to various regional leaders. Cerimedo faces allegations in Bolivia including attempted feminicide, drug trafficking, and illicit enrichment, following the discovery of a ‘click farm’ linked to him used for social media manipulation.

Other Bolivian officials, including former Justice Minister Iván Manolo Lima, have also been impacted. In Colombia, restrictions target Senator Martha Isabel Peralta and businessman Euclides Antonio Torres, while Peru and Ecuador also saw officials and citizens included in the measures.

Entities

U.S. Department of State · Donald Trump · United States Department of State · Roger Mariaca · Martha Isabel Peralta

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. about 16 hours ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 17 sources
    U.S. revokes visas of 26 Latin American officials, including Bolivian Attorney General

    The U.S. has revoked visas for 26 Latin American officials, including Bolivian Attorney General Roger Mariaca, amid investigations into digital strategist Fernando Cerimedo.

  2. 3 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 161 sources
    United States revokes visas for officials from 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

Sources

2001online.com · abriendobrecha.tv · actualidad.rt.com · ahora.com.pe · ahoradigital.net · albiladpress.com · aldiaonline.net · almasalah.com · alphatv.gr · alwakeelnews.com · anatolh.com · asuntoscentrales.com · asuntoslegales.com.co · bajotecho.com.do · bellerdigital.net · blueprint.ng · bolivia.com · boliviaprensa.com · boliviaverifica.bo · boyacadigital.com · brasilemfolhas.com.br · breitbart.com · brujuladigital.net · bsbtimes.com.br · businessdaily.gr · cabildeodigital.com · cablenoticias.tv · canaln.pe · capital.gr · capital.pe · caretas.pe · centrotvecuador.com · colmundoradio.com.co · colombia.com · combonoticias.com · comunhao.com.br · contextohn.com · contrapodernews.com · cronicadecantabria.com · curadas.com · delfino.cr · destakjornal.com.br · deultimominuto.net · diariocorreo.pe · diariodelhuila.com · diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · diarioextra.com · diariolibre.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history