US Restricts Visas for 3 Outgoing Chile Officials in Parting Shot at Boric Government

• The US refused visas to three outgoing Chilean officials, a move announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targeting the leftist Gabriel Boric administration.
• Rubio, a vocal opponent of Latin American leftists, praised the election of Boric's far-right successor, Jose Antonio Kast, who takes office on March 11.
• The unnamed officials allegedly "compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure and undermined regional security," according to Rubio.
• Chile's Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren stated the US action was linked to two Chinese companies seeking approval for a seabed cable connecting Chile and Hong Kong, dubbed the 'Chile-China Express'.
• Transport Minister Juan Carlos Munoz confirmed he was one of the three officials denied a visa, expressing deep regret.