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Senior cabinet members have been barred from U.S. after Petro’s defiant rally near Times Square, New York. Photo: X/MinCultura.

Mass visa revocations strip Petro’s cabinet of access to U.S

By Richard Emblin - September 30, 2025

Colombia’s confrontation with Washington escalated after the United States revoked President Gustavo Petro’s visa over incendiary remarks in New York, prompting key ministers to declare they would forfeit their own visas and leaving much of the government without the possibility of entering the United States.

Colombia Ramps Up Anti-Trafficking Efforts at Airports and Overland Borders

By The City Paper Staff - July 31, 2025

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Colombia reinforced efforts to combat human trafficking across airports and land borders, highlighting rescues abroad, citizen education, and tools like LibertApp, while strengthening international cooperation and judicial investigations against transnational trafficking networks.

Colombians to Pay Higher Visa Fees with Trump’s “Beautiful Bill”

By The City Paper Staff - July 21, 2025

Starting October 1, Colombians and other foreign nationals seeking to visit the United States will face significantly higher visa fees, following the approval of new immigration measures contained in Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”.

Germany and Colombia sign Migration Partnership aimed at curbing asylum claims

By The City Paper Staff - April 24, 2025

Germany and Colombia have signed a joint declaration to expand legal migration and curb irregular flows. The agreement aims to reduce asylum claims and promote labour, education, and training opportunities for Colombians, amid Germany’s push to fill skilled worker shortages.

Petro triggers political crisis with U.S. before temporary resolution

By The City Paper Staff - January 27, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro sparked a diplomatic crisis with the U.S. by rejecting deportee flights, prompting retaliatory tariffs and visa sanctions from President Trump. Petro ultimately relented, agreeing to U.S. demands to resume deportations under strict American conditions.

The London Eye was lit in the colors of the Colombian flag. (Photo Presidencia de la República)

UK to reinstate Visa Requirement for Colombian travelers

By The City Paper Staff - November 26, 2024

The United Kingdom will reintroduce visa requirements for Colombian nationals starting December 24, 2024, citing an increase in fraudulent asylum applications. Colombian Ambassador Roy Barreras confirmed the decision, stating it was prompted by a minority abusing the visa-free travel introduced in 2022.

Medellín leads Colombian cities with Venezuelan migrant population

By The City Paper Staff - June 21, 2024

Colombia’s second-largest city – Medellín – now hosts over 240,000 Venezuelan migrants, making up 10% of its population, amid concerns over rising xenophobia and declining tourism and hotel occupancy.

Travelers pass through Bogotá's El Dorado airport.

Colombians are emigrating in record numbers, some 1,200 every day

By Richard Emblin - June 4, 2024

The numbers of Colombians who are leaving the country to never return has reached historiic levels, with some 1,200 every day according to the country’s migration entity.

Record 170,000 Colombians apprehended at US border in 2023

By Richard Emblin - December 29, 2023

A record-breaking 170,000 Colombians were detained at the U.S. border in 2023, signaling a 30% increase from the previous year.

Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport faces migrant crisis, African minors abandoned

By The City Paper Staff - December 20, 2023

Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport is at the epicenter of a growing humanitarian crisis after the abandonment of two African minors. As health and sanitation concerns escalate among the majority of stranded African passengers, a daily influx of some 200 migrants, aiming to reach the United States via Central America, has authorities on alert.