Oscar Arias, former Costa Rica president, reports his U.S. visa has been revoked. He criticizes U.S. tariffs and suggests his views on various conflicts may have influenced the decision. Arias promotes the importance of redirecting military funds towards humanitarian efforts. Despite the revocation, he remains supportive of the U.S.
Oscar Arias, the former president of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, announced the U.S. government has revoked his visa without explanation. He received an email from the U.S. State Department stating that new information had emerged questioning his visa eligibility. Arias would need to reapply if he wishes to travel to the U.S. The State Department provided no further details regarding the cancellation.
This announcement followed President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on various trading partners, including a 10% duty on imports from Costa Rica. Arias criticized this move, highlighting the contradiction of a country that historically champions free trade. He stated, “History proves it. You can empirically analyze that those countries with more open economies… are the ones that have grown more and have been able to improve in little time.”
Arias speculated that his visa issues might be linked to his critical views on topics such as the war in Ukraine, the U.S.-China trade dispute, and the Gaza situation. He expressed concern about disarmament, advocating for reduced military spending to redirect funds towards education and healthcare, and addressing other important priorities globally.
He also criticized the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which he believes has vital humanitarian roles. Arias contended that the decision reflects misplaced priorities and ethical values, leading to detrimental decisions.
Despite the visa revocation, Arias mentioned that he does not dwell on it, stating, “The United States already gave me 93 honorary degrees. They aren’t going to give me any more. I would have preferred this didn’t happen because I admire that country, I admire its people.”
In summary, Oscar Arias, former Costa Rican president, faces a revoked U.S. visa without explanation. He critiques U.S. tariff actions and suggests his criticism of various U.S. policies could be a factor. Arias advocates for prioritizing humanitarian needs over military spending and expresses disappointment at the cancellation. However, he remains undeterred, expressing admiration for the U.S. and its people despite the visa issues.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
