United States uses visa threats to influence Chilean infrastructure

The United States government utilized visa restrictions as a diplomatic tool to influence Chilean infrastructure policy. Following the authorization of a 19,300-kilometer subsea cable project intended to connect Chile with Hong Kong, U.S. officials met with Chilean telecommunications authorities.

According to Guillermo Petersen, chief of staff at the Chilean Undersecretariat of Telecommunications, a U.S. embassy official warned that the Chinese-led project could increase the risk of cyberattacks. The official reportedly stated that proceeding with the project would result in travel bans for the involved officials, as well as their spouses and children.

Claudio Araya, the former Undersecretary of Telecommunications, characterized the interaction as a threat. In response, U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd stated that such measures were intended to “change behavior” rather than punish, noting that the outcome achieved that specific goal.