American expats: thoughts about the upcoming elections?

This is an interesting series of questions. It's hard to make any real predictions without having a Time Stone 😂Do we know the opposition is (or will be)? Anyway, let me answer with some generalities, from my personal perspective:

If Petro remains president:

I'll still be here struggling with the ups and downs of this relatively unstable country, and I have to keep raising $1,500 every year in order to get a time-wasting Digital Nomad Visa. I say "time-wasting" because the Nomad visa does not accrue time towards Residency, so it's practically a waste of time (from my POV).

If an anti-Petro president wins:

I'd have to find out about his/her policies regarding immigration and property ownership by foreigners. I don't want to be a victim of a Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe)-style property seizure by the government.

Either way, I no longer feel comfortable investing in Colombia (buying property) until I feel like the country is more stable (processes) and more trustworthy (law enforcement at all levels of society). Maybe if I find a Colombian partner and get a "M" visa, THEN I'll bring in a chunk of my savings from the USA, buy property, and create an actual home.

Colombia now limits each elected President to just one 4 year term.

So Petro will not remain as President.  If he does it will be because he has decided to become a dictator instead.

Colombia now limits each elected President to just one 4 year term.
So Petro will not remain as President. If he does it will be because he has decided to become a dictator instead. - @OsageArcher

Oh snap! Well dang, I didn't know that. Thanks for the information. So, this begs the question: who's the top candidate to replace him, and what's that candidate's Policy Profile?

I'll do some research online but any links here would be appreciated...

@OsageArcher

In some respects, Colombia is the most democratic country in the.world..i.e. with the 4.year term.

In comparison to Canada where we have been suffering under that under qualified woke wannabe dictater who wont take a hint and walk in the snow for almost 10 years

No need to have a Jan. 6 uprising..just appoint all your Liberal.buddies as judges and senators.

.

@nico peligro

Did I mention that he is also an ex snowboatd instructor, drama teacher, first year engineering flunkie?

This is about the "American"election

Well we are all Americans from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but if you are talking about the US election, you couldnt have chosen 2 worse candidates.

Regarding the upcoming U.S. presidential election, I'm hoping Harris wins, if for no other reason than to keep things "normal" and protect the country's democracy, as flawed as she or any candidate, party, or platform may be. If their Project 2025 begins to be implemented, the country will dramatically change (in my opinion, for the worse).  Either way I want to leave the U.S.  I'm planning to move to northern Bogotá and rent for a year first, while I sell my home in Florida. The big change for me would be if and how often I would possibly return to the U.S. to visit friends and family. I would not return under a President Trump. Not even for one of my parents' funerals. I do not trust his erratic behavior and what unthinkable laws or policies he may initiate, encourage, or support. I also would not trust that my 401k or other investments would be safe in the U.S.; I would seriously look into options of where to move my assets. Yes, I'm a very liberal Democrat, but this election is not the usual Democrats versus Republicans. Listen to the countless Republicans like Liz and Dick Chaney and Trump's own former Vice President, Mike Pence.  When so may Republicans tell us Trump is not fit and doesn't represent the Republican party, we should believe them. (I'm not here to debate anyone. Just sharing my personal thoughts and opinions.)

@Colt45 - To us expats from the US to Colombia, like myself originally from Los Angeles, California, yes the once beautiful State of California that your "pride and joy" "toes in the air Harris"destroyed (yes I know first hand her horrific history in California), and so now after I had been exploring the all of Colombia since my first extended months long stay in Bogota in November of 1990, so 34 years exploring Colombia and now with close to 15 years in Medellin with the past 10 years full time here..............Colombia may not be the place for woke progressive wack head libs as its just not a fit with the humble and hard working Colombians, why not try Venezuela where you will have shared views. Frankly Colombia does not want this garbage mindset here.

Even crazy Berrie is twisting and uncomfortable with the dem candidate.

Is not this post asking about the next Colombian President?

Almost every Colombian local that I speak to, the vast majority that is to say, which number literally thousands from every populous region/department of Colombia (eg Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Quibdo, Pasto, Ibague, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Monteria, Santa Marta, Riohacha, Armenia, Valledupar, Cucuta, etc., etc. and YES I have been to them all) refer to Petro as a puta who has done nothing for Colombian, empty promises just like the past 4 years of the corrupt, divisive and destructive BIDDEN-HARRIS regime.

As for the US, in 10 days we will all find out.

Also just my opine, and yes noteworthy is that I have only returned ONCE in 5 years to visit family and friends in California and happy as a clam in the bottom of the ocean in my little pueblo north of Medellin.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts with us. - @Ameerah Arjanee

Rene Descartes said, "I think therefore I am"

Much as existence might well be proven by the ability to think. our French friend didn't say much about the quality of those thoughts.

@Colt75 I feel exactly the same. I worry for our democracy. We want to relocate to the poblado area. We sold our home in Florida and now working with a law firm to get our   VISA and rent. Trump is so eratic  it is scary.

@Colt75 I feel exactly the same. I worry for our democracy. We want to relocate to the poblado area. We sold our home in Florida and now working with a law firm to get our VISA and rent. Trump is so eratic it is scary. - @crespobrenda

Keep in mind, Poblado area of Medellin is super-gentrified and very expensive (San Francisco prices).

Hey, be careful when mentioning anything "negative" about Trump in most expat forums (even just repeating what Trump has said openly and plainly, will make you a target of angry reality-deniers). Apparently, a large majority of expats from the USA are unapologetically pro-fascism, pro-Nazi, or (at best) indifferent to the prospect of the USA's Democracy being destroyed from within. This realization was kind of eye-opening to me, and I really don't know what to do.

Sensible immigrants to who fled/escaped authoritarian regimes and made safer lives in the USA are quite baffled and alarmed at this seemingly inevitable transformation of our beloved adopted country. Seems unfathomable, 20 years ago, yet here we are.

Anyway... take care.

Sensible immigrants to who fled/escaped authoritarian regimes and made safer lives in the USA are quite baffled and alarmed at this seemingly inevitable transformation of our beloved adopted country. Seems unfathomable, 20 years ago, yet here we are.

Anyway... take care. - @ChineduOpara

All the people I've heard who lived under and escaped from totalitarian regimes, are worried that our country is headed the same way as the places they escaped from, because of Democrat policies.  They are almost all for Trump.  Oh and by the way, the one who promised and worked for a "fundamental transformation" of our constitutional Republic was Obama, not Trump.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics … r-AA1sVTDq

Sensible immigrants to who fled/escaped authoritarian regimes and made safer lives in the USA are quite baffled and alarmed at this seemingly inevitable transformation of our beloved adopted country. Seems unfathomable, 20 years ago, yet here we are.Anyway... take care. - @ChineduOpara


All the people I've heard who lived under and escaped from totalitarian regimes, are worried that our country is headed the same way as the places they escaped from, because of Democrat policies. They are almost all for Trump. Oh and by the way, the one who promised and worked for a "fundamental transformation" of our constitutional Republic was Obama, not Trump.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics … r-AA1sVTDq - @OsageArcher

I'm not going to argue because this is the wrong forum for that, I was just doing a "reality-awareness" check. Thanks for openly confirming your beliefs and thought process 👍🏾

Now we can all get back to the expat-related issues, ideas, and support!

Now we can all get back to the expat-related issues, ideas, and support! - @ChineduOpara

I only replied to you first moving away from expat-related issues, ideas, and support...

Surprised the Admins are permitting these questions to go through.  Previous political discussions have been banned.

How do you think the results will affect your life as an expat?

The results of the US election won't have any affect on any expats.  Neither candidate has talked about 'reeling' in expats.  One candidate has proposed not taxing Social Security income, which would be great for many expats.  But less tax income for the country may not help, and needs to be offset with lower spending.  Just think: There really was no affect to expat lives that were dependent on the multiple previous administration's policies.  The biggest one I can think of is the FACTA (I think that's the abbreviation), where all foreign income is taxed and foreign banks need to report to the IRS...this has lead to many foreign banks not allowing, or not doing business with, US citizens.

Might it affect your decision to stay where you are or return to your home country?

Not in the least.  It's an irrational fear for those who say otherwise.  The rhetoric about Trump being fascist or a dictator is just that: rhetoric.  The rhetoric about Kamala leading toward socialism is just that: rhetoric.  Seriously....turn off the news.  They are the only ones dividing the country.

What are your worries and hopes?

As a Libertarian, I'm disappointed in all three major candidates.  But there is one candidate's proposals that will help the country more, if they can get passed.  And that's a big part of the country's success...Democracy.  Removing the Electoral College or loading the Supreme Court is more against democracy than anything the opposite side has suggested.  A solid Democracy is also the reason that Colombia is doing fairly well now too...The current Admin's policies are not getting passed, or are greatly minimized.

Do you think the result might affect practical issues such as your taxes, pension, or prospects for getting a visa for your spouse (if she/he is not a US citizen)?

Could affect taxes.  Limiting tax on ss has been proposed.  Perhaps that will lead to pensions not being taxed, as is the case in Colombia.  There has been absolutely no discussions on the limitation of LEGAL migration into the US, so either candidates proposals should not affect getting a VISA through legal routes. 

@mtbe

Kis:

keep

it

simple-

what if’s are nothing to build on. What if I die tomorrow? I would concern myself with what I have control of. That would be myself. We all can adapt to change as needed. Hope you all are having an eye opening out of this country day.Yes Lord!!!

@Eric Collier

I agree.  Politicians proposals and our, or the media's, opinions on them are just 'what ifs'.

@Colt75

Trump said no project2025

Harris said no fracking ban.

What if Harris wins and lied, bans fracking and oil goes to $300 a barrel and the world goes into an economic depressión,?

Just sayin.

@mtbe

Most logical  pragmatic non emotional non hyperbolic  response MTBE

I hear liberals al the time saying they are going to move to Canada if Trump gets in. Never happens...just talk..

Anybody that says they are gonna move to Colombia because of politics is lieing.

We arent living here for job or economic oportunities.

For every US expat in Colombia there are a hundred Colombians in the US and hundreds more dieing to  live the " Sueño Americano" no matter who is president.

We are here because we are alĺ on fixed income of some type..pension, investments   digital nomad and are here for cheap cost of living  good climate , bueaty and for some maybe " easy" women.