US revokes visas of Costa Rica’s top newspaper executives, sparking press freedom concerns

U.S. Revokes Visas of La Nación Board Members, Raising Press Freedom Concerns in Costa Rica

The United States has revoked the visas of several board executives at La Nación, one of Costa Rica’s leading newspapers, sparking accusations that the U.S. government is working in conjunction with Costa Rican authorities to punish critics and political opponents.

According to a statement published as the newspaper’s front page on Sunday, the affected board members first learned about their visa revocations through reports in pro-government media outlets rather than through official channels. The U.S. State Department has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

“We fully recognize that the United States, like any sovereign state, has the power to determine the terms of entry into its territory,” La Nación’s statement read. “However, it is unprecedented in Costa Rica’s recent history for visas to be revoked from members of the board of a general-interest and independent newspaper.”

The newspaper has long been critical of outgoing Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, who has maintained close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump. Chaves has publicly berated the publication since it reported allegations of sexual harassment during his 2022 presidential campaign. Under Chaves’ administration, Costa Rica has agreed to accept up to 100 third-country deportees monthly as part of the Trump administration’s intensified deportation efforts.

Press freedom organizations in Costa Rica have condemned the visa revocations, demanding explanations from both governments. “If this decision is based on their critical stance toward this government, it would be yet another troubling signal for our democratic system,” the organizations stated, adding that a lack of transparency would “constitute an unacceptable form of complicity.”

Mauricio Herrera, a journalist and former Costa Rican communications minister from 2015 to 2018, offered a more direct assessment. “There is no doubt that the cancellation of visas for its board of directors is in response to a request from the Costa Rican government,” Herrera told The Associated Press. “The sanction seeks to intimidate those who dare to dissent and exercise their freedom of expression.”

This incident appears to be part of a larger pattern affecting high-profile critics of both administrations. Last year, the U.S. revoked the visa of Nobel laureate and former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias, an outspoken critic of President Trump. Arias’ brother Rodrigo, who served as legislative president, also lost his visa privileges and publicly stated his belief that President Chaves had requested the U.S. action.

Several opposition lawmakers have faced similar consequences, including Francisco Nicolás from the centrist National Liberation Party and independent legislator Cynthia Córdoba, both known for their vocal criticism of Chaves’ governing style, which has been characterized by some as eroding democratic norms. Constitutional Court Judge Fernando Cruz, an advocate for migrant rights, was also unable to travel to the United States last month to receive an award from Northwestern Law School due to visa issues.

The timing of these visa revocations comes as Chaves prepares to leave office on Friday, handing power to President-elect Laura Fernández. During his tenure, Chaves has cooperated extensively with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement, accepting deportees from other countries and extraditing suspected drug traffickers to the United States.

The situation has raised significant concerns about press freedom and the use of visa restrictions as a political tool. Media experts note that such measures could have a chilling effect on independent journalism in a country that has historically been regarded as one of Central America’s most stable democracies.

The U.S. Embassy in San José has maintained silence on the specific reasoning behind the visa revocations, fueling speculation about political motivations behind the decision. As the transition of power approaches in Costa Rica, many observers will be watching to see if the incoming administration will address these press freedom concerns and how U.S.-Costa Rican relations might evolve under new leadership.