The US State Department announced it has revoked the visas of Euclides Torres and Colombian Senator Martha Peralta Epieyú, two figures closely aligned with President Gustavo Petro. The move is part of a broader wave of visa cancellations targeting foreign nationals accused of weakening democratically elected governments across the Western Hemisphere.
According to US officials, the decision reflects Washington’s growing concern over actions it considers threats to democratic order in Latin America. While the State Department did not detail the specific conduct that triggered the sanctions against Torres and Peralta, the announcement fits a pattern of recent US measures aimed at individuals seen as destabilizing forces in the region’s political systems.
Peralta, a sitting senator, and Torres are both seen as figures within Petro’s political orbit, though their exact roles in the alleged undermining of democratic institutions were not spelled out publicly. The visa revocations add to a series of diplomatic frictions between Washington and members of Petro’s government and allies, though neither Torres nor Peralta has issued a public response as of this report.
This action follows other recent US moves against perceived threats to press freedom and democratic norms, including similar visa revocations and pressure campaigns in the region.
For the full story and additional context, read the original report at El Tiempo.
Source: EE. UU. revoca las visas de Euclides Torres y Martha Peralta: los señala de ‘socavar gobiernos democráticos’ (eltiempo.com).
Image: German federal government.