Sheinbaum Calls US Visa Revocation for Son of Former President Political Interference

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her morning press conference in Mexico City.

Mexico City — President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that the U.S. decision to revoke the visa of Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, son of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was politically motivated and amounts to “interference in Mexican politics.”

Speaking at her morning press conference, Sheinbaum questioned the criteria U.S. authorities use to cancel visas, arguing that the measures are not applied consistently across countries.

“The cancellation of visas has a political use above all, because it is not applied evenly in all countries. If it were about criminal activity, it would be applied evenly. That is my opinion. And it is interference in Mexican politics,” she said.

Sheinbaum defended López Beltrán, who recently stepped down as organizational secretary of the ruling Morena party to seek elected office in the 2027 elections. He confirmed the revocation in a letter to President Donald Trump, rejecting that there is any evidence of wrongdoing against him.

In the letter, López Beltrán accused U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau of being behind the decision, calling it “politicking” and “propagandistic.” He also said the cancellation reflects efforts by U.S. officials to intervene in other countries’ internal affairs, and added that the measure does not represent a problem for him. He asked Trump to respond to the allegations.

U.S. authorities have not publicly explained why the visa was revoked.

Discover more from Riviera Maya News

Sign up to receive a summary of the best news in your inbox, every day.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx