US Revokes Visas for 50 Mexican Officials

Mexico City, Mexico — The United States government has revoked the visas of at least 50 Mexican politicians and officials, according to sources cited by the international news agency Reuters. The measure, which has caused a stir within the national political class, is part of a broader strategy by Washington to toughen its anti-narcotics policy and pressure Mexico on issues of security and the fight against corruption.

According to the report, visa cancellations are more common than had been publicly known, as this action has affected not only former officials or businesspeople but also active politicians, including members of the ruling Morena party and other political forces.

The sources consulted by Reuters indicated that the visa revocations were carried out under the argument of "activities contrary to the national interest of the United States," a cause that can include everything from alleged links to drug trafficking, corruption, or espionage, to the facilitation of illegal immigration.

To date, only four politicians have publicly confirmed the loss of their visas, among them the Governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila, who categorically denied having any ties to organized crime. However, Reuters could not confirm the names of the rest of those implicated due to the confidential nature of the process.

The U.S. Department of State responded to the agency that "visas, including those of foreign officials, can be revoked at any time" without the need for public justification. This policy has been applied by previous administrations, though, according to consulted diplomats, never with the breadth shown by the government of Donald Trump.

In response, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated in her press conference that she has no information about the alleged visa revocations. She explained that the United States generally does not notify the Mexican government about these cases, as it concerns personal information for each affected individual.

"We have no information. The United States government has been very clear that this is personal data. Only the affected person is informed; it is not something they share with the Government of Mexico," declared the president.

Sheinbaum emphasized that only in the event that one of the politicians was under investigation for matters of public security or narcotics would U.S. authorities officially notify the country. "Unless there was an investigation that already had to do with public safety, then it could be known," she added.

The Reuters agency highlighted that the case has provoked unease within the Mexican political elite, which is accustomed to frequent travel to the United States. Some analysts consider that this measure could mark a new chapter in the bilateral relationship, with Washington using diplomacy as a tool of pressure.

For now, neither the U.S. nor the Mexican government has revealed the names of the affected officials, keeping the matter in the realm of speculation.