The former US administration revoked the visas of at least 50 politicians and government officials in Mexico as part of its fight against drug cartels and their suspected political allies. Reuters reported this.
Redaksiya reports that two Mexican officials provided this information. The politicians and officials were members of the country's ruling Morena Party, led by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and dozens of individuals from other parties were also included in the list. Their names have not been publicly disclosed, but at least four officials have admitted losing their visas, one of whom was Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, though she stated she had no connection to organized crime.
A US State Department official did not confirm the report but stated that visas can be revoked for various reasons that violate US law and are contrary to American national interests. The official emphasized that visas are a privilege, not a right. The official told Fox News Digital that the Trump administration had good working relations with the Sheinbaum government and hopes to continue its bilateral relations by supporting the "America First" foreign policy agenda. The Trump administration demonstrated zero tolerance for drug trafficking, which was a key promise of its presidential election campaign. Several suspected drug vessels heading to the US were intercepted by US military forces, many of which were claimed to be coming from Venezuela. Last month, the Trump administration revoked the US visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Officials linked this to his participation in a demonstration against Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York City. Petro also demanded a criminal investigation against President Donald Trump and other administration officials for deadly strikes against vessels in the Caribbean. The administration also revoked the visas of more than 20 judges in Brazil and 14 political and business representatives in Costa Rica, including former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias.
Former US Ambassador to Mexico Tony Wayne (2011-2015) stated that “the Trump administration is finding new ways to put more pressure on Mexico.” The visa revocations are part of Trump's security strategy and his “war on drugs.”