Former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Oscar Arias, disclosed that his US visa has been canceled, following his stark criticism of former President Donald Trump. Arias, who was instrumental in resolving conflicts in Central America, conveyed that he received the notification from US officials through a brief email, lacking any detailed explanation.
At 84, Arias expressed his bewilderment over the revocation during a press conference in the Costa Rican capital, San José. He hinted that the cancellation could be linked to his diplomatic relations with China, established during his presidency from 2006 to 2010 when he shifted ties from Taiwan to the Chinese government.
Despite his conjectures, Arias clarified that he believed the decision stemmed from the US State Department rather than Trump directly. He remarked that established relationships like his with China might have drawn disapproval from the current US administration, which has been vocal against Chinese influence in Central America.
Arias' recent comments about Trump, where he likened the former president's governing style to that of a "Roman emperor," intensified the scrutiny over his visa status. He referenced Costa Rica's independence in foreign policy decisions during his leadership, stating, "During my governments, Costa Rica never received orders from Washington as if we were a banana republic."
Arias is not alone in his challenges; three members of Costa Rica's national assembly, who have clashed with President Rodrigo Chaves' government, have also faced visa cancellations. The situation raises questions about the implications of US foreign policy and its impact on political dissenters in Latin America.
