U.S. revokes Chilean officials' visas

U.S. revokes Chilean officials' visas

Washington revoked the visas of three senior Chilean officials, including Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz and Telecommunications Undersecretary Claudio Araya, as part of a dispute over the Chile-China Express submarine cable project. U.S. authorities accused the officials of compromising critical telecommunications infrastructure and weakening regional security.

The cable project is described as a $500 million link between Valparaíso and Hong Kong. The outgoing Boric government rejected the accusations, calling them false. The U.S. ambassador also warned that the dispute could prompt a review of intelligence-sharing with Chile.

Key Events

  • The United States revoked the visas of Chile’s transport minister, telecommunications undersecretary, and the undersecretary’s chief of staff.
  • U.S. officials said the officials were undermining regional security by advancing the Chile-China Express cable project.
  • The project is described as a $500 million submarine fiber-optic cable linking Valparaíso and Hong Kong.
  • The U.S. ambassador warned the dispute could lead to a review of intelligence-sharing with Chile.
  • Chile’s outgoing Boric government denied the accusations.