Hundreds of U.S. Visa Appointments Canceled in Colombia

Tensions between Colombia and the United States escalated when Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to allow two U.S. Air Force planes carrying deportees to land, resulting in the cancellation of numerous visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. Many Colombians arrived for their scheduled appointments only to find them canceled due to the Colombian government's stance on repatriation flights. The cancellations, which could lead to months of waiting for new appointments, left many visa seekers frustrated and uncertain about their travel plans. In response to the political standoff, the U.S. State Department announced a halt on issuing visas to Colombian nationals until deportation flights resumed. Following negotiations, Colombia agreed to allow the resumption of deportation flights, easing some tensions between the countries. However, the situation underscores the impact of diplomatic disputes on ordinary citizens seeking to travel.