US Revokes Visas Of Over 50 Mexican Politicians In Latest Trump’s War On Drugs

The U.S. government has cancelled the visas of no fewer than 50 politicians and government officials in Mexico, a step undertaken as part of the Trump administration’s intensifying campaign against drug cartels and their alleged political supporters, according to two Mexican officials.

While a handful of instances had been made public previously, reporting by Reuters reveals that the visa cancellations extend much more extensively than had been recognized before.

According to former U.S. ambassadors, although prior administrations have employed this mechanism, the present magnitude reflects President Donald Trump’s determination to leverage the diplomatic instrument to accomplish policy objectives. Former U.S. Ambassador Tony Wayne noted, “The Trump administration is finding new ways to exert more pressure on Mexico.”

The measure has generated subtle tremors within Mexico’s political establishment, since it markedly expands U.S. anti-narcotics initiatives by going after sitting politicians who are frequently viewed as excessively delicate from a diplomatic standpoint.

One senior Mexican politician said more than 50 politicians from the ruling Morena party have had their visas revoked, along with dozens of officials from other parties. Only four officials have publicly confirmed losing their visas so far, including Baja California state Governor Marina del Pilar Avila, who has denied any links to organized crime.

A senior U.S. State Department official confirmed that visas, including those of foreign officials, “may be revoked at any time” for “activities that run contrary to America’s national interest,” such as drug trafficking, corruption, or aiding illegal immigration. The U.S. is not required to provide explanations for visa revocations.

The extensive revocations, especially those affecting members of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s ruling Morena party, pose a risk of complicating the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Despite Sheinbaum’s choice to collaborate closely with the U.S. on cartels, she has condemned suggestions of unilateral U.S. military action in Mexico.

Christopher Landau, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and the State Department’s number two official, who has referred to himself as “El Quitavisas” (“The Visa Snatcher”), has made his preference for denying access to the U.S. clear.

The Trump administration has also been revoking visas elsewhere in Latin America against perceived political opponents, including in Colombia, Brazil, and Costa Rica.

A third source with knowledge of the process suggested the revocations are part of Trump’s security strategy, with the designation of some cartels as terrorist organizations meaning intelligence increasingly impacts visa status.

The lack of explanation for the revocations, which U.S. officials are not required to provide, has sown confusion and concern among Mexican officials that they could be under criminal investigation. Former Ambassador Roberta Jacobson warned that the widespread revocations could potentially backfire and strain U.S.-Mexico security cooperation.

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Nnamdi Okoli