Washington – The head of the United States diplomacy, Marco Rubio, announced a new policy to restrict visas to relatives and close partners of people sanctioned by drug trafficking in order to combat fentanyl traffic.
Overdose for this synthetic opioid is the main cause of death of Americans between 18 and 44 years.
More than 40% of Americans know someone who has died from opioids in the country, where more than 220 daily deaths have been registered due to overdose in 2024, according to official sources.
“Restriction policy”
“Today I announce a new visa restriction policy (…) that will apply to close personal and commercial partners of the people sanctioned” by drug trafficking, says Rubio in a statement.
This measure “will not only prevent them from entering the United States, but will also serve as a deterrent for the continuation of their illegal activities,” adds the Secretary of State.
The new policy is based on a decree signed by the former Democratic President Joe Biden in December 2021, which imposes sanctions, such as the freezing of assets and the restriction of visas, foreign persons and companies involved in drug trafficking.
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