Tue Jan 28 02:12:26 UTC 2025: ## US Visa Appointments in Colombia Cancelled Amidst Deportation Dispute

**Bogota, Colombia** – A diplomatic spat between Colombia and the United States over deportation flights led to the cancellation of hundreds of U.S. visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota on Monday. Dozens of Colombians arrived to find their appointments cancelled due to the Colombian government’s initial refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals from the U.S.

The conflict began Sunday when Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he would not allow two U.S. Air Force planes carrying deportees to land in Colombia, citing concerns over the treatment of expelled migrants. He shared a video showing deportees arriving in Brazil in shackles, further fueling the tension.

In response, former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, threatened to impose a 25% emergency tariff on Colombian exports and revoke the U.S. visas of Colombian government officials, while also demanding enhanced customs inspections. The State Department initially announced a halt to issuing visas to Colombian nationals until deportation flights resumed.

The situation escalated quickly, causing significant disruption for Colombians seeking U.S. visas, many of whom had waited up to two years for appointments. Those whose appointments were cancelled expressed frustration and uncertainty about when they might be rescheduled.

Negotiations ensued, resulting in Colombia agreeing to resume deportation flights, albeit under conditions that addressed President Petro’s concerns regarding the humane treatment of deportees. While the threatened tariffs were put on hold, the enhanced customs inspections and visa restrictions on Colombian officials remain in place until the successful return of a planeload of deportees. The State Department has yet to comment on the resumption of visa appointments. The incident highlights the significant impact of diplomatic disputes on ordinary citizens. The long wait times for visa appointments in Bogotá, which also handles applications from neighboring Venezuela, exacerbate the situation further. Last year, over 1.6 million Colombians legally traveled to the U.S., underscoring the importance of smooth diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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