The United States is initiating measures to enforce visa restrictions on some Hondurans accused of inciting violence, the US State Department Spokesman Matthew Millerhas announced in a statement.
The decision follows the appointment of a new attorney general by ruling party lawmakers in Honduras last month, without taking into account the opinion of the full Congress, as reported by Reuters.
Those subjected to visa restrictions, according to the State Department, are accused of committing acts of violence and intimidation and inciting conflict among the Honduran population by mobilizing violent groups, VisaGuide.World reports.
In the statement issued on December 12, Spokesman Miller points out that these actions have led to physical assaults and instances of intimidation, some of which resulted in injuries and that the US denounces these acts.
The United States condemns the recent use of violence in Honduras to undermine democracy and enable the irregular and unprecedented naming of an interim Attorney General and interim Deputy Attorney General.
He also stated that the US supports the Honduran people who are working to enhance democracy and the rule of law, and that also the US is committed to holding accountable those who undermine it.
These anti-democratic actions undermine Honduras’ institutions and are inconsistent with the core principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which Honduras signed as a member of the Organization of American States in September 2001. We join the international community’s call for regular order to be restored via peaceful, transparent, and democratic means.
Recently, US authorities have taken similar measures against other citizens of a few other countries as well, including several individuals from Guatemala and Israel.
On Monday, the US placed visa restrictions on about 300 Guatemalan nationals, accusing them of undermining democracy and the rule of law. Of those for whom visa restrictions were imposed, over 100 are members of the Guatemalan Congress.
Earlier this month, the US State Department also implemented a visa ban on Israeli settlers in the West Bank for being involved in undermining peace, security, and stability in this Palestinian territory.
Additionally, in the previous month of this year, the United States enforced visa restrictions on charter flights bound for Nicaragua as a measure to prevent dangerous migrant routes.