Q COSTARICA — The president of the Legislative Assembly, Rodrigo Arias, asserted that President Rodrigo Chaves intervened to have the United States government revoke his entry visa nearly a year ago.
“In my case, when the previous ambassador (Cynthia Telles) had just left and an official was appointed to head the American embassy—an official who got along very well with the president—in that context, I have no doubt whatsoever that my visa was revoked at the request of the president of the Republic. I have no doubt,” Arias told the newspaper La Nación.
Just days before leaving his post as a legislator and president of the Legislature, Arias added that, in his opinion, there is evidence to support his claim.
“The proof is very simple: the president announced the revocation of my visa 30 minutes before I received official notification from the U.S. embassy regarding the revocation,” he stated.
On July 9, 2025, Arias reported receiving an email from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica notifying him of the cancellation of his entry visa.
“At 2:59 p.m. (July 9, 2025), I received a notification in my personal email from the U.S. Embassy in San José, informing me that the U.S. government was revoking my tourist visa for entry into that country. The decision made today is deeply perplexing to me, given that I am unaware of any objective reason that would justify it, considering that I have always maintained a friendly and respectful relationship with the United States,” he stated at the time.
The Embassy did not explain the measure at that time.
Arias will leave his post on May 1.
Chaves leaves his post on May 8, though he is expected to continue in the government of Laura Fernández in some capacity, keeping his immunity, holding off the judicial wolf at the door.