A diplomatic earthquake shakes Colombian travelers after learning that Donald Trump’s government, through the State Department, ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of visa procedures for citizens of 75 nations.

The measure, which will come into force next Wednesday, January 21, 2026, includes Colombia on a blacklist of countries whose nationals will not be able to process their entry documents under the argument of a security reassessment to prevent immigrants from becoming a “public charge.”

The order was confirmed by messages from White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt and follows a memorandum signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The document instructs consuls around the world to deny visas based on regulations that now consider factors such as the applicant’s weight, age, English proficiency and financial history.

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The mayor’s office seeks to close the path to those who may represent a cost to the American social welfare system, a policy that has been drastically toughened in this second Trump term.

This administrative paralysis generates total chaos in the face of the 2026 World Cup, an event that will be held in a few months. Thousands of Colombian fans who already have purchased tickets and air tickets would be left in legal limbo, since the “pause” on visas has no end date.

In addition to Colombia, countries such as Brazil, Uruguay and much of the Middle East and Africa are covered by this restriction that promises to raise diplomatic tensions to historic levels.

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