Former Costa Rican president and Nobel laureate Oscar Arias' US visa cancelled

Former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias revealed that the United States has revoked his visa, CNN reported.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the 84-year-old statesman said he was informed of the move through an email.

“I don’t know if the revoking of my visa is the product of some sort of retaliation, because I say what I think (and) write what I say,” Arias said.

The reason for the decision remains unclear. The Noble laureate acknowledged that the US has the right to cancel any visa but expressed uncertainty over what prompted the action.

In recent weeks, Arias has shared strong opinions online criticising US President Donald Trump and his administration. In one social media post, he likened Trump to “a Roman emperor” issuing commands to other nations.

He also accused Trump and vice president JD Vance of threatening and insulting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense White House meeting in February.

“If someone wants to use a reprisal to silence me, well obviously they’re not going to silence me,” he said.

Miguel Guillen, secretary general of Arias’ National Liberation Party, confirmed the former president received official notification of the visa cancellation via email.

The US State Department has yet to comment on the matter.

Arias served as President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his role in bringing an end to civil conflicts in Central America.