MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti) - Colombia officially scrapped visa requirements for Russians traveling to the Latin American country on Monday, a spokesman for the Colombian embassy in Moscow said.

On March 4 the Colombian Foreign Ministry issued the decree, which entered force on April 20, introducing a visa-free regime for Russia. However, visas will still be required for Russians, wishing to remain in the country for more than 90 days or run a business there.

About 10,000 Russians visit Colombia annually.

Colombia has become the fifth state in Latin America to scrap visa requirements for Russian citizens, following Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Argentina and Russia have also signed a visa free deal, which is due to come into force soon.

Russian and Chilean presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Michelle Bachelet, stated their intention to work towards a visa-free travel regime for tourists during a meeting in April.