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External Attack on Free Journalism in Costa Rica

The revocation of United States visas from La Nación newspaper executives attacks journalistic independence.

Editorial from La Nación (Confidencial)

HAVANA TIMES – Last Thursday, the respected independent organization Reporters Without Borders revealed another setback for freedom of expression in Costa Rica. In its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, we fell two places, down to 38th. In 2021, we had ranked fifth, surpassed only by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. But beginning the following year, we started a dizzying decline. The reason is well known: the government offensive against journalists and independent media.

Two days after that announcement, a new and unexpected blow to independent journalism became public. This time it was extraterritorial in nature: the revocation of US entry visas from five of the seven members of the Board of Directors of La Nacion S.A., the publishing company behind this newspaper, La Teja, and El Financiero.

In the absence of any explanation for the decision or objective reasons to support it, only one conclusion is possible: its purpose was to punish La Nacion’s editorial line and, at the same time, attempt to undermine our journalistic autonomy. Therefore, although it falls within the sovereign authority of the US government, we consider it a serious attack on freedom of expression.

Applying such a measure to nearly the entire governing body of a news organization has no precedent in our history. In fact, we know of no similar case........

© Havana Times