**Oscar Arias: US Visa Revocation Sparks Controversy for Nobel Laureate**

Arias speculates on the motives behind the decision, hinting at tensions over US-China relations during his presidency.

Former President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, has confirmed that his US visa has been revoked, a development he disclosed during a recent news conference in San José. The cancellation comes in the wake of Arias publicly criticizing the actions of US President Donald Trump, whom he compared to a Roman emperor. At 84 years old, Arias, a lauded Nobel Peace Prize recipient for mediating peace in Central America, expressed his confusion regarding the decision, noting that he had received only a brief email about the visa revocation.

While Arias refrained from outright blaming President Trump, he suggested that the US State Department may be behind the action, alluding to his diplomatic ties with China established during his presidency from 2006 to 2010. During the press event, he reflected on his 2007 decision to sever ties with Taiwan and build relations with China, a move that has sparked speculation about the reasons for his visa complications.

This diplomatic strain is notable, especially as the Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against China’s growing influence in Central America. Meanwhile, the current Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves has garnered praise from US authorities for distancing the nation from Chinese investments, particularly regarding the deployment of 5G technology.

Arias, echoed concerns that smaller nations often face pressures when articulating their independence in the face of US priorities. "During my governments, Costa Rica never received orders from Washington as if we were a banana republic," he asserted. Notably, Arias is not isolated in this predicament, as three members of Costa Rica's national assembly who opposed President Chaves’s decree regarding 5G have also seen their US visas revoked. This situation raises ongoing questions regarding US diplomatic relations and the implications for Central American governance and autonomy.