Statement of State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, October 30, 2001

Statement of State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, October 30, 2001
U.S. Revoking Visas of AUC Supporters

U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
October 30, 2001
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman

Versión en español

As part of our ongoing efforts to oppose terrorism, the United States Government is revoking the U.S. non-immigrant visas of four Colombian citizens who have collaborated with, or supported financially, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). We are also adding to our lookout systems the names of 45 individuals with links to the AUC to ensure that these individuals are denied U.S. visas or entry into the United States.

This is only a first step. As we develop additional information on individuals who belong to, collude with or support financially the AUC, we will proceed to revoke U.S. visas of those who hold them, and add to the watch list the names of those who do not. We will continue to work with the Government of Colombia to develop information on AUC members, supporters, and financiers.

On September 10, the U.S. Government designated the AUC a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) as defined by U.S. law. Organizations that we had previously designated as FTOs under U.S. law include the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Army of National Liberation (ELN). Our visa policy applies equally to individuals associated with all three groups, which were designated as FTOs under U.S. law due to their commission of massacres, kidnappings of civilians, and participation in the trafficking of narcotics.

As of October 31, this document was also available online at http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwhauc4.html