President Donald Trump’s administration has announced plans to cancel visas of foreign nationals involved in corruption and drug-trafficking, noting that their actions undermine democracy and endanger efforts to combat narcoterrorism.
A Department of State statement on Monday said the visa restriction would also apply to immediate family members of targeted foreigners in Western Hemisphere countries.
“This policy restricts visas for foreign nationals—and their immediate family members—who undermine a democratically elected government through corruption or narcotrafficking activities in our region,” the statement said.
The administration has already imposed a visa ban on 12 Bolivian nationals, including magistrates, lawyers, and judges. Their family members were also issued a corresponding visa restriction.
Rosario Ximena Flores Paniagua, a criminal instruction judge in the Department of Santa Cruz and magistrate Israel Ramiro Campero Mendez were among those affected.
U.S. designated Bolivia’s attorney-general, Roger Mariaca, for soliciting and accepting bribes to facilitate narcotrafficking and helping violent criminals evade justice.
The same policy was implemented in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, where certain individuals were singled out for alleged corruption that undermines democracy.
“President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s message is simple: corrupt officials—and the criminals they protect— are not welcome in the United States,” the statement declared.