"Hitler-like Measure"...Diplomatic Tensions Escalate as U.S. Repeatedly Cancels Visas of Mexican Politicians

Key Morena Figure and Former President's Son Expresses Outrage
President Sheinbaum Condemns "Attempt at Political Interference"

Tensions are rising between the United States and Mexico after the U.S. government once again canceled the visa of the former Mexican president's son.

Andres Lopez Beltran (center), the second son of former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Photo by AP News Agency

On August 14 (local time), international news outlets such as the Associated Press and ABC News reported that Andres Lopez Beltran, the second son of former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was in office until September 2024, announced on his social media that the U.S. State Department had canceled his visa.

Lopez Beltran strongly condemned the visa cancellation, calling it a “Hitler-like measure.” He insisted that he had not committed any crimes or immoral acts that would warrant such a cancellation, expressing anger that the United States was targeting the leadership of Mexico’s left-wing ruling party, Morena.

Lopez Beltran sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting confirmation on whether Trump was aware of the visa cancellation decision. He argued that if Trump knew about the decision, he should explain why he approved it, and if he did not know, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Under Secretary Christopher Landau should be dismissed. Since his father stepped down from the presidency, Lopez Beltran has held key positions within the Morena party. Recently, he has been preparing to run in the upcoming federal legislative elections.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also claimed during a regular press conference that “this measure is an attempt to interfere in Mexican politics,” and emphasized that the United States had not provided any prior notice of the visa cancellation.

Photo by AFP News Agency: Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico (left), and Donald Trump, President of the United States.

However, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department drew a clear line, saying, “All visa decisions are a matter of national security,” but did not specify any particular reason for the cancellation. When visas were canceled for at least 50 Mexican politicians and government officials in October of last year, the State Department similarly stated, “Visas can be revoked at any time, and grounds may include activities contrary to U.S. national interests such as drug trafficking, corruption, espionage, or promoting illegal immigration.”

Meanwhile, the latest visa revocation took place as the U.S. government mounted all-out pressure on Mexico under the pretext of cracking down on drug cartels. Previously, in April, during the Trump Administration, 10 current and former high-ranking officials, including sitting Morena governors, were indicted on charges of receiving bribes for fentanyl and cocaine trafficking. In June, visas were canceled for two more sitting Morena governors due to suspicions of collusion with drug cartels.

Since President Trump began his second term, the United States has pressured Mexico to allow either independent or joint military operations with U.S. forces on Mexican territory. However, President Sheinbaum has adamantly refused to accept this demand.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.