Colombian Senator Mauricio Aguilar calls for security agency DAS to be given the power to revoke the entry visas of foreign visitors to Colombia who are caught consuming drugs.
These “narco-tourists” come from countries such as the U.K., Germany, Israel and Italy, according to the lawmaker.
Newspaper El Espectador reports that the PIN senator wants to reform current tourism legislation to counter the allegedly growing number of foreigners who visit the country to use drugs.
“Some foreigners visit Colombia without wanting to know our biodiversity, culture and history, but come only with the intention of buying and consuming hallucinogenic substances,” the senator was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Aguilar also proposed denying entry to drug addicts who seek to travel to Colombia, and placing sanctions on tourist companies who help visitors to buy drugs.
According to official figures, tourism to Colombia grew 9% in 2009. There are no official figures on the number of tourists who consume drugs in Colombia.
