The former Costa Rican President, Oscar Arias, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, announced on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, that the United States government had revoked his visa. Arias stated that no explanation was given for this action.
The 84-year-old, who led the Central American country during two separate terms (1986-1990 and 2006-2010), mentioned that he was informed of the visa suspension through a brief email from U.S. officials.
“I received an email from the U.S. government informing me that they have suspended the visa I have in my passport. The communication was very terse, it does not give reasons. One could have conjectures,” Arias said during a news conference in San José, Costa Rica’s capital city.
This revocation follows Arias’s public criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, where he compared Trump to “a Roman emperor.” While there is no confirmed reason for the visa action, the timing has led to speculation about a link to his remarks.
Arias, recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his work in the Central American peace process, suspects multiple reasons might be behind the revocation. Reports suggest U.S. Embassy staff in Costa Rica pointed to his relations with China as a factor.
In 2007, during his second term, Arias established diplomatic ties with China, severing relations with Taiwan. This decision has reportedly been under scrutiny by the current U.S. administration, which aims to counter China’s influence in Central America.
The revocation seems part of broader diplomatic strains. Three Costa Rican assembly members who opposed President Rodrigo Chaves Robles’ directive to exclude Chinese firms from the 5G rollout also had their U.S. visas revoked. Washington’s demands reportedly influenced this directive.
In February, Arias criticized the Costa Rican government for allegedly succumbing to U.S. pressure on policies concerning China. Reports suggest that Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Costa Rica and offered to “punish” officials collaborating with “foreign actors” posing cybersecurity threats, indicating political motives in the visa revocations.
Arias maintains strong ties with the United States, where his children were educated. According to him, he has received numerous honorary degrees from American universities -93 in total—which were a primary reason for his visits to the U.S.
The former leader expressed concern over the current U.S. administration’s intolerance for criticism. Arias believes the Trump administration targets individuals who are perceived as having a “hostile attitude” toward the U.S., even if they have longstanding connections with the country.
“I feel one should not dare to criticize the U.S. these days, as they could be punished for it,” Arias stated, according to reports.
Despite the visa issue, Arias intends to continue advocating for causes he supports, such as disarmament, prioritizing education and healthcare over military spending, and promoting ethical policymaking. He has also criticized U.S. policies on Ukraine, the trade conflict with China, and Gaza.
The pacifist also commented on Trump’s 10% tariff announcement against Costa Rica, a nation traditionally favoring free trade. During his presidency, Arias promoted a free trade agreement with the U.S.
The U.S. State Department has not yet provided an official statement on the situation, leaving the reasons for the decision unclear.
