Visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia were canceled on Monday due to a dispute between President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over deportation flights from the U.S. The cancellation affected dozens of Colombians who had appointments scheduled at the embassy in Bogota. The Colombian government's refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals led to the cancellations.
Colombia's Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that a Colombian Air Force plane was dispatched to San Diego to pick up a group of Colombians who were on a deportation flight that was denied landing on Sunday morning. The incident highlighted the consequences countries may face if they oppose Trump's immigration policies.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasized that countries must adhere to their agreements, such as accepting deportees. The cancellation of visa appointments in Colombia may result in delays of several months for rescheduling, causing frustration among affected individuals.
The tensions between Colombia and the U.S. escalated when President Petro refused to allow U.S. Air Force planes carrying Colombian deportees to land in the country. In response, Trump threatened emergency tariffs on Colombian exports and visa restrictions on Colombian officials.
Following negotiations, Colombia agreed to resume deportation flights and accepted Trump's terms, leading to a temporary halt on tariffs. However, visa restrictions and enhanced customs inspections remain in place until the successful return of Colombian deportees.
As a result of the dispute, the issuance of visas for Colombian travelers at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota remains suspended. Last year, over 1.6 million Colombians traveled to the U.S. legally, making it the top destination for Colombian travelers abroad.
