Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias announced the cancellation of his U.S. visa, which occurred after he criticized President Trump. The lack of explanation from U.S. authorities led Arias to speculate about links to his past establishment of diplomatic relations with China. He voiced concerns about the U.S.-Costa Rica relationship under President Chaves, with three assembly members also having their visas revoked.

Oscar Arias, the former president of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has announced the revocation of his U.S. visa. This development came shortly after he publicly criticized President Donald Trump, likening his behavior to that of a Roman emperor. Arias, who received the Nobel Prize for his efforts in resolving Central American conflicts, noted that U.S. officials did not provide a reason for the cancellation.

During a news conference in San José, Arias expressed uncertainty regarding the motives behind the visa cancellation. He disclosed that he received a brief email from the U.S. government informing him of the decision and speculated that the action was taken by the State Department rather than President Trump.

Arias suggested that the decision might be linked to his past diplomatic relations with China, established during his presidency from 2006 to 2010. In 2007, he severed ties with Taiwan to recognize China, a move that had global ramifications. He remarked, “I established diplomatic relations with China. That, of course, is known throughout the world.”

The Trump administration has actively opposed increasing Chinese influence in Latin America and criticized various Central American governments for their ties to China. This includes ongoing support for the current Costa Rican president, Rodrigo Chaves, who has distanced his administration from Chinese companies in 5G developments.

Arias has publicly expressed his discontent with the current U.S.-Costa Rica relationship under President Chaves, stating that small nations often find it difficult to contradict U.S. policy. He remarked on social media that, “it has never been easy for a small country to disagree with the U.S. government, less so when its president behaves like a Roman emperor.”

Arias is not the sole figure from Costa Rica facing visa issues, as three members of the national assembly who opposed Chaves’ exclusion of Chinese firms from 5G projects have also had their U.S. visas revoked.

The recent revocation of Oscar Arias’s U.S. visa raises questions regarding the motivations behind such actions, particularly following his public criticism of President Trump and his historical dealings with China. Arias’s concerns reflect a broader tension between small nations and U.S. foreign policy, especially in the context of emerging superpowers. Additionally, his case underscores a trend of political repercussions faced by Costa Ricans who oppose current government alignments with the United States.

Original Source: www.bbc.com

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