US Ambassador Stands by Visa Restrictions on Chilean Officials

The US Ambassador to Chile defended travel bans imposed on three Chilean government officials, calling it America's sovereign right. The restrictions stem from concerns about a proposed underwater cable project linking Chile to China that US officials say threatens regional security.

The United States Ambassador to Chile stood firm Monday in supporting recently imposed visa restrictions targeting three senior Chilean government officials, characterizing the decision as America’s sovereign authority to control border access.

Ambassador Brandon Judd addressed the diplomatic tensions arising after the Trump administration implemented travel prohibitions against the officials over their purported participation in actions that Washington claims have jeopardized regional stability. Transport and Telecommunications Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz is among those facing sanctions.

“It’s our sovereign right to take actions when we feel that the region’s security is being threatened,” Judd stated during a Santiago press briefing.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled the penalties Friday, alleging the three officials engaged in “activities that compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure and eroded regional security.” This statement appears to reference a proposed underwater fiber optic cable project, currently under review, that would establish communications links between Chile and China.

Chilean authorities confirmed Muñoz was targeted by the sanctions but declined to reveal the identities of the remaining two officials.

The ambassador maintained that Washington pursued all diplomatic channels before implementing sanctions, asserting that despite explicit concerns about the submarine cable initiative, Chilean leadership failed to offer adequate transparency.

The American action has triggered fierce backlash from Chile’s leftist administration. President Gabriel Boric criticized the decision, alleging the Trump government made “indeterminate accusations” and imposed “unilateral sanctions” that violate Chilean independence.

Boric, scheduled to transfer authority to far-right leader José Antonio Kast within two weeks, has emerged as one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken regional opponents.

When questioned about the heated Chilean government response, the US ambassador insisted America poses “no threats.” “We are not making any threats. What we have strictly told you all the time is that everything we do depends upon communication and security,” he explained.

Without identifying particular nations, Judd contended that “there are many malicious actors in this region that want to cause harm, not just to this region and to Chile, but to the United States as well.”

Chilean-American relations have significantly worsened during Trump’s second presidency. Boric has launched harsh attacks against his American counterpart, describing the Republican’s governing approach as resembling a “new emperor.”

Trump has publicly expressed frustration with Boric while embracing Kast’s forthcoming presidency after his decisive December electoral triumph.

“We look forward to working with the new government to provide what the Chilean people demanded,” Judd commented.