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Published on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The United States
has revoked the tourist visa of Fernando
Cruz-Castro, a judge and former
president of the Supreme Court of Costa
Rica, he stated on Tuesday.
Cruz, who served
as president of the Supreme Court from
2018 to 2022, said he received an email
from the U.S. government on Tuesday,
March 10, informing him of the decision.
The visa
revocation was communicated to the
77-year-old judge just days before he
had planned to travel on March 14 to
Northwestern University in the U.S.
State of Illinois, where he was
scheduled to receive an award
recognizing his judicial career,
particularly his work defending human
rights, the Constitution and democratic
principles.
Cruz said he
ultimately would not have been able to
attend the event anyway, explaining that
the court does not have judges at his
rank who could replace him during his
absence from the country.
He described the revocation of his visa as a distinction, saying, “I am honored that a government like the United States, which has become even more aggressive and warlike than it once was, would revoke my visa. It is an honor.”
Cruz
holds a law degree from the University
of Costa Rica and a doctorate in law
from the Complutense University of
Madrid in Spain. He
becomes the second Costa Rican Supreme
Court judge to have his U.S. visa
revoked. The first was Judge Paul
Rueda, who confirmed in July 2025
that his U.S. visa had been
canceled. Other
high-ranking Costa Rican political
figures whose U.S. visas have been
revoked include Rodrigo Arias, president
of the Legislative Assembly; lawmakers Vanessa
Castro, José Francisco Nicolás,
Johanna Obando and Cynthia Córdoba;
Ana Sofía Machuca,
comptroller general of the
Electricity Institute (ICE);
and former President and
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Óscar
Arias. The
Supreme Court of Costa Rica is the
country’s highest court of law and
justice. Its primary functions include
advising the other branches of
government in cases where the
Constitution or laws require
consultation, and issuing opinions on
proposed legal reforms or matters
affecting the organization and
functioning of the judicial branch.
--------------- What steps should Costa Rica take to reduce road fatalities?What have you heard about the U.S. revoking visas from high-ranking political figures in your country? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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