Cartagena’s mayor expressed concern over a proposal to move the Spanish consulate from the Caribbean coastal city to the central city of Medellin, Caracol Radio reported Thursday.
Mayor Campo Elias Teran Dix said this move would greatly alter visa procedures for Colombians attempting to visit the European country.
Juan Martinez of the Spanish consultate said the Antioquia capital of Medellin would provide greater coverage of the country, but that the decision to move offices had not yet been formalized.
The consulate in Cartagena opened four years ago and was welcomed by residents and local business owners.
Should the consulate move, residents from Cartagena as well as from the northern departments of Guajira, Cesar, Magdalena, Atlantico, Bolivar, Cordoba, Sucre and San Andres will be forced to go much further inland to obtain their visas.