US reverses decision and extends visa to leading Colombian journalist
The United States State Department has reversed its decision to deny a visa to a leading Colombian journalist to take up a prestigious fellowship position.
Journalist Hollman Morris and his family picked up their visas at the US Embassy in Bogotá on Tuesday. Morris and his family can now travel to the US where Morris will attend Harvard for the year-long Nieman Foundation fellowship.
Last month, the 41-year-old Morris was told he was ruled permanently ineligible for a US visa under the terrorist activities clause of the USA Patriot Act.
Journalists, lawmakers and many human rights organizations, lobbied strongly for a reversal on the decision, calling the visa denial an attack on free speech.
Morris has reported on ties between illegal far-right militias and allies of outgoing President Álvaro Uribe, Washington's closest ally in Latin America.
He is one of 12 foreign journalists admitted to the prestigious Nieman Foundation Fellowship program for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Suggested Stories
-
Feb 06th 2012
Top US official for Latinamerica scheduled to visit Peru and Argentina
-
Feb 04th 2012
PM Cameron meets Obama in March ahead of the Falklands conflict anniversary
-
Feb 02nd 2012
US plans to wind down combat operations in Afghanistan by mid 2013
-
Feb 07th 2012
Britain steps up its claim to the Falkland Islands
1 comment Feed
Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.
With any luck we will see Mr. Uribe follow the steps of Ex- president of Panama, Manuel Noriega.
Prision..............
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!