The United States has revoked the visas of at least 50 Mexican politicians and government officials as part of the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on drug cartels and their suspected political allies, according to two Mexican officials. The move has sent shockwaves through Mexico's political elite, who frequently travel to the US, and marks a significant broadening of US anti-narcotics action by targeting active politicians usually considered diplomatically sensitive.
While a handful of cases have been publicised, the actual number of visa cancellations is far more widespread than previously reported. One senior Mexican politician said more than 50 officials from the ruling Morena party have had their visas revoked, along with dozens from other parties. So far, only four have publicly confirmed losing their visas, including Baja California state governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, who has denied any links to organised crime.
Former US ambassadors noted that while previous administrations have revoked visas in this manner, the scale under Donald Trump is unprecedented. Tony Wayne, US ambassador to Mexico from 2011 to 2015, said the Trump administration is finding new ways to exert pressure on Mexico. The US does not need to provide explanations for revoking visas, and the threshold is lower than for sanctions or prosecution.
A senior US State Department official stated that visas may be revoked at any time for activities contrary to America's national interest, adding that the administration has a good working relationship with the Sheinbaum government. However, the widespread revocations—particularly targeting members of President Claudia Sheinbaum's Morena party—threaten to complicate the already uneasy bilateral relationship, especially amid high-stakes trade and security talks.
The Trump administration has also revoked visas elsewhere in Latin America, including for Colombian President Gustavo Petro and more than 20 top judges and officials in Brazil. In Costa Rica, former president and Nobel laureate Óscar Arias had his visa revoked after criticising Trump on social media. A source with knowledge of the process said the revocations are part of Trump's security strategy, with the designation of cartels as terrorist organisations meaning DEA intelligence increasingly affects visa status.
