Besides tariffs and sanctions, the United States is using this tactic again to control the Western Hemisphere
The New York Times published an article on August 16th stating that as part of its expansionist policy towards the Western Hemisphere, the US government is attempting to re-establish its dominant position through a series of US visas.
The article states that throughout Latin America, the US government has taken various tough measures to tighten its control over the region. Specific measures include imposing tariffs, imposing economic sanctions, striking ships in the Caribbean and Pacific, intervening in elections in other countries, and even forcibly controlling the president of a country in its capital. And one of the most flexible and precise means, which is highly personalized, is the US visa.
Visa becomes a tool for regional pressure
The US government has made no secret of using visas as a tool in the Americas. The US State Department issued a statement in April this year announcing the expansion of visa restrictions, targeting individuals in the Western Hemisphere who engage in activities that harm US interests and confront the US.
The article states that there are various goals that the United States hopes to achieve through the use of visa tools: in some countries, the United States is attempting to further enhance its influence; In other countries, the United States will support its right-wing allies who are obedient to it, and even suppress their political opponents. In some cases, the United States may force other governments to comply with US demands or punish those who question US policies.
This month, the US government revoked the visa of Maria Luiza Viotti, the Brazilian ambassador to the United States, in retaliation for Brazil's delay in approving President Trump's nomination for ambassador to Brazil and refusing to issue visas to several US diplomats. Previously, the United States had revoked the visa of a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice for conducting a judicial trial against former Brazilian President Bolsonaro, an ally of Trump.
The article quotes former US Ambassador to Panama John Feely as saying that revoking a visa can send a very strong signal, weaken the political authority of the person involved, and cut off their personal or work-related exchanges with the United States.
Due to the confidential nature of visa records, the US government rarely publicly discloses details of visa revocation cases, making it difficult to quantify the actual scale of the Trump administration's use of visas for political purposes.
The US State Department's email response to The New York Times stated that Secretary of State Rubio and other US officials have "broad discretion" to revoke visas "whenever and wherever it involves significant US policy interests.
Visa policy reflects a 'transactional' logic
Some analysts believe that the United States' adjustment of visa policies has abandoned the goal of promoting the rule of law in Latin America after the end of the Cold War and instead adopted a transactional logic.
An article in The New York Times quoted Anna Maria Mendes, the head of a human rights organization in Central America, as saying that when the United States no longer prioritizes democratic values, some politicians who were previously sanctioned by the United States can regain their privileges as long as their governments re engage with the White House.
During the Biden administration, the United States sanctioned several Central American officials under relevant laws, accusing them of corruption and undermining democracy. This includes three officials under the current President of El Salvador, Naib Bukele.
However, as Trump's second term begins and El Salvador's relationship with the United States continues to grow, the three individuals' US visas have been restored. The New York Times learned through a search of travel records that the three individuals had re entered the United States in June, July, and September 2025, respectively.
The policy of suppressing critical voices has significantly changed
Visa tools have also been used by the United States to suppress criticism of the Trump administration and even foreign leaders with good relations with the United States.
According to an article in The New York Times, two Panamanian politicians received notices of their US visas being revoked after criticizing their country's security agreement with the United States. The article quotes several former diplomats as saying that there have been numerous instances of secret and crude US intervention in Latin America throughout history, but the Trump administration's approach has undergone significant changes.
Former US Ambassador to Panama, John Feely, once said, "No recent US government has openly cracked down on freedom of speech on foreign soil
Former Mexican President Lopez maintained relatively good and pragmatic diplomatic relations with Trump during his tenure, but with Trump's shift in Mexico policy during his second term, Lopez also publicly criticized him. Lopez's son Andres Manuel Lopez Beltran announced on social media on August 13th that the United States has revoked his visa. He criticized in an open letter to Trump that this was purely a politically motivated "propaganda tactic" aimed at cracking down on foreign politicians who disagreed with Washington's political views.