"Command Like a Roman Emperor"... Former Costa Rican President Who Criticized Trump Has US Visa Revoked

"I Was Notified That My U.S. Visa Was Canceled"
"The Trump Administration Shows Characteristics of a Dictatorship"

Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who criticized the foreign policy of the Donald Trump administration, had his U.S. visa revoked.

On the 1st (local time), according to local daily La Naci?n and others, Oscar Arias held a press conference at his residence in the capital San Jos? and stated, "I would like to inform you that I have recently been notified that my U.S. visa has been canceled." He pointed out, "Unfortunately, the Trump administration is showing characteristics of a dictatorship." He added, "I do not have any plans to travel to the U.S. anyway, so it does not affect me at all," and "I do not know the reason for the cancellation, and it does not seem that the Costa Rican government was involved."

Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Local media speculated that Arias’s recent remarks targeting President Trump may have influenced the visa cancellation. Arias, who served as president of Costa Rica twice from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010, criticized the current government under Rodrigo Chaves on the 4th of last month, calling its diplomatic strategy toward the U.S. "submissive." He also strongly criticized President Trump’s emphasis on imposing tariffs.

Through his Facebook, he wrote, "It is never easy for a small country to express opinions different from the U.S. government, especially when the U.S. president commands others like a Roman emperor," adding, "When I was in office, Costa Rica was not a 'banana republic.'" The term "banana republic" refers to a country dependent solely on primary industries. Former President Arias also stated, "The U.S. is a country that seeks enemies, and today that enemy is China," adding, "(The U.S.) justifies increased military spending under the pretext of China."

Meanwhile, Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts in brokering a regional peace agreement, opposing the moves by major powers including the U.S. that hinted at 'military support' as a solution to the Central American conflicts caused by civil wars in the 1980s. After stepping down from the presidency, he established a peace foundation bearing his name and has been active in disarmament campaigns.