Oscar Arias’ US Visa Revoked Amidst Political Tensions

The former president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, announced the revocation of his US visa, which he suspects may stem from his diplomatic ties with China and recent criticism of President Trump.

Former Costa Rican president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Oscar Arias, has announced that his US visa has been revoked, a decision he claims was communicated to him in an abrupt email from the US government. The announcement follows his public criticism of President Donald Trump, whom he likened to a “Roman emperor” for his authoritarian style.

At a news conference held in San José, Arias, now 84, expressed his bewilderment at the lack of explanation for the decision, suggesting it may be linked to his administration's diplomatic relations with China, which he established during his presidency from 2006 to 2010. He noted that he received a succinct email informing him of the visa cancellation but an explanation was conspicuously absent.

Speculating on the factors behind the revocation, Arias reflected on his historical decision to sever ties with Taiwan and establish them with China in 2007, a move which has been under scrutiny by the Trump administration as it seeks to curb China’s influence across Latin America. Arias emphasized that the decision likely stems from the US State Department rather than direct orders from President Trump.

In his recent social media posts, Arias has openly criticized the current Costa Rican government's alignment with the US, particularly lamenting the exclusion of Chinese companies from involvement in Costa Rica's 5G development. He emphasized his previous stance during his own administration, insisting that Costa Rica operated independently of US influence, unlike the current political dynamics.

Arias is not alone in facing visa issues; other Costa Rican officials who oppose current President Rodrigo Chaves' administration have also reported cancellations of their US visas, raising concerns over the increasing political tensions and implications for dissenting voices in the region.