The administration of United States President Donald Trump has announced new visa restrictions targeting Chilean government officials, in a move Washington says is aimed at safeguarding American economic and security interests in the Western Hemisphere.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the decision in a statement posted Friday on his official X account.
“The Trump Administration continues to protect America’s economic prosperity by ensuring peace and security in our hemisphere,” Rubio wrote.
“Today, the Department of State is taking steps to impose U.S. visa restrictions on Chilean government officials who are working against our interests and harming regional safety and security.”
Rubio did not immediately name the officials affected or detail the specific actions that prompted the sanctions.
The State Department also did not clarify how many individuals would be subject to the visa restrictions or when the measures would take effect.
The announcement comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between Washington and Santiago over regional security cooperation and economic policy disputes.
In recent months, U.S. officials have expressed concern about Chile’s engagements with countries viewed by Washington as strategic competitors, as well as policy decisions perceived to undermine hemispheric stability.
Chile, one of South America’s most stable democracies and a longstanding U.S. trade partner, has in recent years pursued a more independent foreign policy posture, strengthening ties with a broader range of global actors.
Analysts say this shift has occasionally put it at odds with U.S. strategic priorities in Latin America.
The Trump administration has made the Western Hemisphere a central focus of its foreign policy, emphasising border security, anti-narcotics efforts, and limiting external influence from rival powers.
Visa restrictions have become a common diplomatic tool used by Washington to signal disapproval without imposing broader economic sanctions.
Under U.S. law, the Secretary of State has the authority to restrict entry to foreign nationals whose actions are deemed detrimental to U.S. foreign policy or national security interests.
The move could strain relations between the two countries, which have historically maintained close economic and defense cooperation.
Chile has not yet issued an official response to the announcement.
Foreign policy observers say the impact of the visa restrictions will largely depend on the scope of the measures and whether they are followed by additional diplomatic or economic actions.
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