US revokes Nobel Prize winner's visa as Marco Rubio's clampdown gathers pace

The 84-year-old statesman served two presidential terms and brokered peace in Central America.

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

A few weeks ago Óscar Arias compared Donald Trump to "a Roman emperor" for dictating global policies.

San Jose, Costa Rica: The United States has revoked the visa of former Costa Rican president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Óscar Arias, weeks after he compared Donald Trump to "a Roman emperor" for dictating global policies.

The 84-year-old statesman, who served two presidential terms and brokered peace in Central America, confirmed the abrupt suspension without explanation from U.S. authorities.

US President Barack Obama greets Costa Rica President Óscar Arias Sánchez during a reception at the Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad on 17 April 2009. Looking on between them is President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while the President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, is to the right.

Arias, a longtime advocate for diplomacy, had criticized both the Trump administration and Costa Rica’s current president, Rodrigo Chaves, for bowing to US pressure against Chinese influence in the region. In February, he condemned Washington’s interference after it stripped visas from three Costa Rican lawmakers who resisted excluding Chinese firms from 5G development — a move aligned with US demands.

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The visa cancellations follow US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s February visit, where he pledged to help Chaves "punish" officials working with "foreign actors" deemed cybersecurity threats. Arias’s outspokenness — including his remark that "small countries" face retaliation for dissent — appears to have triggered his own ban.

Costa Rica’s opposition decried the trend as political intimidation, noting a fourth lawmaker lost her US visa Tuesday.

Who is Óscar Arias?

Óscar Arias Sánchez, the Costa Rican politician and economist is best known for his role in promoting peace in Central America. He served as President of Costa Rica twice, from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010. Arias played a crucial role in ending conflicts in the region, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987.

During his first term, Central America was ravaged by civil wars, particularly in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Arias took the initiative to mediate peace talks, leading to the Esquipulas II Accord, a regional peace plan signed by five Central American presidents in 1987.

His second presidency, starting in 2006, saw him advocating for free trade and social development. One of his most controversial policies was his support for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which faced significant opposition but was ultimately approved through a national referendum.

Arias has also faced criticism, including allegations of misconduct later in his career.