Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, revealed Tuesday that the United States government has revoked his visa without providing any explanation for the decision.
The 84-year-old statesman, who served as president of the Central American nation for two terms (1986-1990 and 2006-2010), disclosed that he received a terse email from U.S. authorities informing him of the visa suspension.
“I received an email from the U.S. government informing me that they have suspended the visa I have in my passport. The communication was very terse, it does not give reasons. One could have conjectures,” Arias said during a news conference in San José, Costa Rica’s capital.
The visa revocation comes just weeks after Arias publicly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, where he compared the American leader to “a Roman emperor.” While no official reason was provided for the decision, the timing has raised questions about a potential connection to his remarks.
Arias, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his pivotal role in brokering peace during the Central American conflicts of the 1980s, believes there may be multiple factors behind the decision. According to reports, U.S. Embassy workers in Costa Rica suggested his visa was revoked due to his close ties with the Chinese government.
During his second presidential term, Arias established diplomatic relations with China in 2007, cutting ties with Taiwan – a move that reportedly has drawn scrutiny from the current administration. The Trump administration has actively sought to counter China’s growing influence in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Central America.
The visa situation appears to be part of a broader diplomatic tension. Three members of Costa Rica’s national assembly who opposed President Rodrigo Chaves’s decree to exclude Chinese firms from participating in the development of 5G technology in the country have also had their U.S. visas revoked. This decree reportedly came following demands from Washington.
In February, Arias had criticized the current Costa Rican government for allegedly yielding to U.S. pressure regarding policies toward China. Reports indicate that the U.S. Secretary of State had visited Costa Rica and offered to help “punish” officials who collaborate with “foreign actors who pose a threat to the country’s cybersecurity,” suggesting potential political motivations behind the visa revocations.
Despite the situation, Arias maintains that he has longstanding ties to the United States. His children were educated in the U.S., and he has received numerous honorary degrees from American institutions – 93 by his own count. He has indicated that receiving these accolades was his primary reason for visiting the United States.
The former president expressed concern about what he perceives as an intolerance of criticism by the current U.S. administration. Arias argues that the Trump administration appears to be targeting individuals deemed to have a “hostile attitude” toward the United States, even if they are longtime friends of the country.
“I feel one should not dare to criticize the U.S. these days, as they could be punished for it,” Arias stated, according to reports.
Despite the visa revocation, Arias maintains that he will continue to speak out on issues he believes in, including disarmament, prioritizing education and healthcare over military spending, and promoting ethical values in policymaking. He has also been critical of U.S. policies on Ukraine, the trade conflict with China, and the situation in Gaza.
The self-proclaimed pacifist also commented on Trump’s announcement of tariffs against Costa Rica, a country that has traditionally promoted free trade. During his presidency, Arias advanced a free trade agreement with the United States.
While acknowledging that the United States has the right to make such decisions regarding visas, Arias expressed puzzlement over the move. He stated that the visa revocation would not prevent him from continuing his public advocacy.
The U.S. State Department has not yet issued an official comment on the matter, leaving questions about the specific reasons behind the decision unanswered.
