U.S. restricts visas for 27 officials and associates from four South American countries
On September 28, 2026, the United States announced visa cancellations or restrictions affecting 27 people from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru over alleged corruption, narcotrafficking or threats to democratic institutions.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Event date: The United States announced the visa cancellations or restrictions on September 28, 2026. [1]
What happened
The U.S. administration announced cancellation or limitation of visas for 27 individuals from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The affected people were described as judges, prosecutors, businesspeople and public officials. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Estados Unidos retira visados a funcionarios de cuatro países de Sudamérica por corrupción y narcotráficotribuna.com.mx · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 10:49 PM UTC
The State Department said the policy targets foreign actors accused of undermining democratically elected governments through corruption, money laundering, bribery or narcotrafficking. The announcement publicly highlighted Bolivia’s attorney general, Roger Mariaca. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- Estados Unidos retira visados a funcionarios de cuatro países de Sudamérica por corrupción y narcotráficotribuna.com.mx · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 10:49 PM UTC
- EEUU revoca visa a Mariaca y otros funcionarios bolivianos en el marradiofides.com · Recorded source date: Sep 29, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC
The measures cover different visa situations: some existing visas were revoked, while nine Bolivian citizens who did not currently hold visas were generally excluded from obtaining one. The available reporting also says restrictions extended to some family members. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- EEUU revoca visa a Mariaca y otros funcionarios bolivianos en el marradiofides.com · Recorded source date: Sep 29, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC
The action against Mariaca was described as relying on section 7031(c) of the U.S. appropriations law, which allows the secretary of state to publicly designate foreign officials linked to corruption or human-rights abuses. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Estados Unidos retira visados a funcionarios de cuatro países de Sudamérica por corrupción y narcotráficotribuna.com.mx · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 10:49 PM UTC
A separate account identified section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act as the basis for the broader visa policy targeting foreigners and immediate family members accused of corruption or narcotrafficking. [3]
References for this detail (1)
- EE. UU. restringe visas por corrupción a funcionariosamericatv.com.pe · Article published: Sep 28, 2026, 10:28 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The State Department presented the restrictions as part of an initiative called the “Shield of the Americas” and said the mechanism can be applied quickly when new evidence emerges and in coordination with allies. [1]
The announcement followed strengthened U.S. security and counternarcotics cooperation with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru during September, according to the reporting. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [3] EE. UU. restringe visas por corrupción a funcionariosamericatv.com.peReferenced for: detail 5
- [1] Estados Unidos retira visados a funcionarios de cuatro países de Sudamérica por corrupción y narcotráficotribuna.com.mxReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 4
- [2] EEUU revoca visa a Mariaca y otros funcionarios bolivianos en el marradiofides.comReferenced for: detail 2, detail 3
Questions answered by the reporting
Who was affected by the U.S. action?
The named groups include judges, prosecutors, businesspeople and public officials, along with some family members. Twelve Bolivian citizens were specifically identified as affected in the available reporting. [1][2]
What does the restriction do?
Some existing visas were revoked, while people without current visas were generally barred from obtaining one under the announced policy. [2]
What this could mean for you
The designated people and some relatives may be unable to enter the United States or obtain U.S. visas.
Existing visas can be revoked and visa applications can be restricted under the announced policy.
Reported basis: [1][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: The individual or relative must fall within the covered designations or restrictions.
Cross-border professional and governmental meetings involving designated individuals could become harder to arrange.
Visa loss removes or limits physical access to the United States for officials, prosecutors, businesspeople and relatives.
Reported basis: [1][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: The relevant work or meeting must require travel to the United States.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Additional evidence or designations under the policy could expand the number of restricted people.
A diplomatic response by an affected government could make travel or official cooperation more difficult.
Pressure eases if…
A successful review, legal challenge or removal of a designation could restore eligibility for a visa.
Clarification of individual cases could limit uncertainty for relatives and organizations linked to the affected people.
Still unclear
The available reporting does not identify all 27 people or specify each person's visa status.
The sources do not establish whether the affected governments will challenge the designations or change cooperation with Washington.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
La administración estadounidense dio a conocer el retiro o restricción de visados a un total de 27 individuos, abarcando a magistrados, fiscales, empresarios y servidores…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Se sostuvo que las acciones atribuidas al fiscal general ponen en riesgo los esfuerzos del Gobierno de Donald Trump para combatir el narcoterrorismo. El Departamento…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
"El Departamento de Estado de EE. UU. anunció una nueva política de restricción de visados dirigida a extranjeros y a sus familiares directos implicados en…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
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