U.S. Revokes Visa of Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias

Former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias says the United States has revoked his visa, a decision he learnt about weeks after publicly criticising former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Arias said he received only a terse, unexplained email from U.S. authorities informing him of the cancellation, according to a report from The BBC.

The 84-year-old, who played a key role in negotiating peace during Central America’s civil wars in the 1980s, suggested the decision may be linked to his decision during his 2006–2010 presidency to establish diplomatic ties with China at the expense of Taiwan.

He also noted his recent criticism of Trump, likening the former U.S. president’s behaviour to that of a Roman emperor and calling out what he views as heavy-handed U.S. influence in Central America.

Arias has been vocal in his criticism of what he sees as an overly close relationship between Chaves and the U.S.