Colombia airport protest Operación Tortuga delays nomads starting May 9

Airport delays may slow entry and exit

The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá says Operación Tortuga could cause significant delays at all Colombian airports after the protest began May 9. The alert applies to immigration services and customs lines, but it does not change visa rules or entry requirements.

Migración Colombia still has sole authority over who can enter or leave the country and the embassy said it can’t intervene in those decisions. The broader U.S. travel advisory for Colombia remains at Level 3, with some regions under don't Travel guidance.

Who should expect the biggest impact

The delay warning affects U.S. citizens, expats, digital nomads and other foreign travelers passing through Colombian airports. It also matters for Colombian nationals, since immigration controls apply to everyone moving through entry and exit checks.

Tight itineraries are the main risk. Missed connections, overstay problems and last-minute rebooking are more likely when immigration lines stretch for hours, especially for travelers relying on a 30-day or 90-day clock for onward plans.

What travelers should do now

Airline coordination matters more than usual. Travelers should arrive at the airport well ahead of departure, confirm check-in cutoffs with their carrier and keep some flexibility in case immigration processing runs slow.

The alert gives no end date, so travelers should assume the disruption may continue until the embassy or Colombian authorities issue an update. Read our full Colombia guide for the complete picture and check our visa updates page for more country changes.