US revokes visas of over 50 Mexican politicians, Reuters reports

According to three former US ambassadors, previous administrations also revoked visas, but not on this scale. In their view, this indicates the willingness of US President Donald Trump to use diplomatic tools to achieve political goals.

"The Trump administration is finding new ways to exert more pressure on Mexico," said Tony Wayne, US ambassador to Mexico from 2011 to 2015.

The agency reports that this move has caused a wave of shock among Mexico’s political elite, who regularly travel to the US and require visas to do so.

A senior Mexican politician told Reuters that visas were revoked for more than 50 politicians from the ruling Morena party, as well as for dozens of officials from other political parties.

So far, only four have publicly confirmed that they lost their visas, including Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, who categorically denied any connection to organized crime.

It is noted that the US is not obligated to provide explanations for visa revocations.

"Visas, including those held by foreign officials, may be revoked at any time" for "activities that run contrary to America's national interest," a US State Department representative told Reuters in response to an inquiry.

The President of Mexico and Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.

The US Southern Command is creating an operational group "to combat drugs in the Western Hemisphere."

The special unit will track and intercept drug shipments and share intelligence with US law enforcement and military agencies, as well as with counterparts in other countries.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump ordered the border wall with Mexico to be painted black so that the metal would heat up in the sun, preventing migrants from crossing.