Guatemala band unable to get visas for Rose Parade
PASADENA, Calif. -- A band from Guatemala has been unable to get visas to participate in the New Year's Day Rose Parade.
The Tournament of Roses' music committee chairman, Richard De Jesu, says there's no word on why visas were denied for the 340-member Latin band Instituto Pedro Molina.
De Jesu tells the Pasadena Star-News that he's never encountered such a situation in his 25 years with the parade organization.
The Tournament said in a statement Tuesday that it's working with elected officials and the U.S. Embassy to assist the band in securing travel documents. But De Jesu says it doesn't appear the band will get necessary documents in time.
The band appeared in the Rose Parade five years ago.
CBS Los Angeles reports that the Tournament of Roses issued a statement that reads in part: "[We are] working collaboratively with elected officials and the U.S. Embassy [in] Guatemala City to assist the band in securing the necessary travel documents."