Rubio Sanctions Colombian Government Officials in Deportation Dustup
Trump Truth Social Post Set Off Tiff
Newly sworn-in U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against Colombian government officials and their families according to a U.S. State Department press release issued Sunday.
Citing section 212 (a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationalization Act, Rubio ordered a suspension of visa issuance at the U.S. Embassy Bogotá consular section and stated that he was “authorizing travel sanctions on individuals and their families, who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations.”
The Associated Press reported that consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia confirmed the suspension of visa issuance. At press time, the U.S. Embassy Bogatá’s consular section carried no mention of the suspension of visa operations.
The tiff began when Colombian President Gustavo Petro allegedly denied landing rights for U.S. military planes carrying migrants. Rubio claimed the landing rights were denied mid-flight.
Trump responded on his Truth Social account, saying that he was imposing “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures” against the Colombian government. The Rubio announcement followed.