Colombia

The Trump administration announced a new measure against the Petro government: this time it affects Colombian diplomats in the United States.

The U.S. government will withdraw, starting June 16, the tax exemption benefit for Colombian diplomatic and consular officials accredited in its territory, including Ambassador Daniel García Peña.

Elsa Barrera

By

Elsa Barrera

06 Jun, 2025 10:09 a.m.

Updated: June 6, 2025, 11:29 a.m. EST

The US government will end

The U.S. government will end tax exemptions for Colombian diplomats starting June 16, requiring the return of their exemption cards - Colprensa credit

The United States government has decided to revoke the tax exemption benefit for Colombian diplomatic and consular officials accredited in its territory.

According to a diplomatic note published by W Radio, this measure will take effect on June 16 and directly affect all Colombian diplomats, including Ambassador Daniel García Peña, who will be required to return their tax exemption cards before that date.

The decision responds to Colombia's lack of reciprocity in extending similar benefits to U.S. diplomats on its territory.

The Department's tax measure

The State Department's tax measure will primarily affect diplomats like Ambassador Daniel García Peña - credit: Presidency of the Republic/Rebecca Cook/REUTERS

According to a diplomatic note sent by the State Department to the Colombian Embassy in Washington, Colombian officials will lose privileges that allowed them to avoid paying taxes on purchases, services, and the importation of personal property.

This benefit, regulated by the Vienna Convention, is based on the principle of reciprocity, which, according to the State Department, has not been effectively enforced in Colombia. In the United States, sales tax varies between 6% and 12%, depending on the state, which represented a significant savings for Colombian diplomats and their families.

In Colombia, although there has been a law guaranteeing tax exemption for foreign diplomats since 2014, its implementation is fraught with bureaucratic procedures that make it difficult to enforce.

Colombia has not simplified the

Colombia has not simplified the procedures required to refund taxes to U.S. diplomats since 2014 - credit: Ovidio González/Presidency

U.S. diplomats must go through cumbersome processes, such as filling out forms, submitting receipts, and waiting for approvals, to obtain tax refunds. This situation led the State Department to request the Colombian government, on April 30, to simplify these procedures. However, after 33 days without a response from the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN), the United States decided to take action.

The impact of this decision is significant, as Colombian diplomats will be required to pay full taxes in the United States, like any other citizen. For example, according to Daniel Coronell's report on W Radio, the sales tax in New York is 8.75%, while in Washington it is 10.75%, and in Miami it is 7%.

Until now, diplomats could avoid these fees by presenting a card issued by the Department of State's Office of Foreign Missions (OFM), which guaranteed tax exemption at the time of purchase.

The United States revokes the exemption

The United States has revoked tax exemptions for Colombian diplomats, citing a lack of reciprocity for similar benefits in Colombia. - Credit: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

The 2014 Colombian decree establishes that diplomatic and consular missions, as well as international organizations, are exempt from sales tax and national consumption tax, provided they comply with current international treaties or the principle of reciprocity.

“Exemption from sales tax and national consumption tax for diplomats, international organizations, and diplomatic and consular missions. Diplomatic and consular missions, international organizations, and technical cooperation and assistance missions shall enjoy exemption from sales tax and national consumption tax in Colombia in accordance with the provisions of current treaties, conventions, or international agreements that have been incorporated into domestic legislation, and in the absence of these, based on the strictest international reciprocity,” states the first article of the 2024 decree.

Gustavo Petro asked Donald Trump not to extradite Papa Smurf.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has made a direct request to U.S. President Donald Trump to prevent the extradition of Diego Marín Buitrago, known as Papa Smurf, to the United States.

Petro asked Donald Trump not to extradite Papa Smurf to the United States - credit: Presidency

Petro argued that it is essential for Marín to face Colombian justice and reveal details about his criminal activities over more than three decades, as well as his possible links to the country's politics.

In a speech prior to a Council of Ministers meeting, President Petro emphasized the importance of holding Marín, who has been labeled a "smuggling czar," accountable in Colombia. According to the president, this would shed light on his role in illicit activities and his alleged financing of political campaigns.