Overview
- United States authorities canceled tourist visas for five of the seven board members of La Nación S.A., and the U.S. Embassy declined to explain, citing a law that keeps visa records confidential.
- La Nación named board chair Pedro Abreu Jiménez and director Carmen Montero Luthmer among those affected, describing the action as without precedent for a major Costa Rican newsroom’s leadership.
- The newspaper said the step punishes its editorial independence and its criticism of President Rodrigo Chaves, and it pledged to keep reporting with rigor and accuracy.
- La Nación reported that details of the cancellations appeared first in outlets seen as close to the Presidency before those affected were notified, raising concern about leaks and political coordination.
- Press-freedom context sharpened the reaction, as Reporters Without Borders’ 2026 index placed Costa Rica 38th and recent U.S. visa cancellations have also hit judges, a former president, legislators, and other prominent critics of the government.