State Dept: Visa Restrictions for Foreign Nationals Undermining Democratically-Elected Governments in Western Hemisphere Countries

• U.S. Department of State publicly designated Bolivia’s Attorney General Roger Mariaca for significant corruption under Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026.
• U.S. Department of State took steps on September 28, 2026 to restrict visas for foreign nationals from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

The U.S. Department of State announced a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, targeting foreign nationals and their families who undermine democratically-elected governments through corruption or narcotrafficking. Immediate actions were taken against individuals from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, including revocation of existing visas and rendering others ineligible.

Bolivia’s Attorney General Roger Mariaca was publicly designated for significant corruption under Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026. This designation makes Mariaca and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States, reflecting a coordinated effort to defend democratic governance and combat narcoterrorism.

• Screen customer and transaction records for individuals named in the U.S. Department of State visa restriction policy, including Martin Daniel IRUSTA FLORES and Roger Mariaca.
• Update sanctions and watch lists to include persons designated under Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026.
• Review compliance procedures for transactions involving nationals from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru affected by Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

This story highlights the U.S. Department of State’s use of visa restrictions and public designations to target foreign officials involved in corruption and narcotrafficking, directly impacting AML/CFT compliance. Financial institutions must ensure robust screening against updated lists, as these actions can affect customer eligibility and expose institutions to regulatory risk. The coordinated approach under Section 212(a)(3)(C) and Section 7031(c) signals increased scrutiny and enforcement, requiring compliance officers to promptly adapt controls and monitor for affected individuals and entities.