Kathmandu— The son of former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Andres Manuel Lopez Beltran, has accused the United States of revoking his visa in what he claims is a politically driven action. The allegation surfaced late Thursday through a public letter addressed to US President Donald Trump and shared on social media, where Lopez Beltran named Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Christopher Landau as those responsible for the decision. The revocation occurs amidst a broader pattern of US visa cancellations targeting Mexican politicians suspected of links to drug cartels.

Allegations of Political Motivation

Lopez Beltran asserted that there is “no reason whatsoever” to justify the visa revocation, stating in his letter that US officials have no evidence linking him to any illegal or immoral activity. He further claimed that US officials routinely target Mexican politicians by falsely labeling them as “communists,” “threats to US security,” or “narco-terrorists.” The US State Department has not yet issued a public response to the allegations.

Broader Trend of Visa Revocations

The revocation of Lopez Beltran’s visa is part of a wider trend, with several Mexican officials from across the political spectrum having their US visas canceled. The Trump administration characterizes these actions as a crackdown on individuals connected to drug cartels. This has led to increased tensions between the two countries.

Sheinbaum's Response and Concerns

Current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Lopez Beltran’s letter Friday, stating she was unaware of any investigations by Mexican prosecutors into his conduct. She characterized the visa revocation as “interference in Mexican politics,” suggesting it stemmed from no other cause. Sheinbaum has consistently pledged cooperation with the US on cross-border crime but also emphasized protecting Mexico's sovereignty and has declined offers of US military intervention within its borders.

Recent Disputes with Washington

Sheinbaum recently rejected claims made by the head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding alleged ties between her government and organized crime, a frequent point raised by Trump. In April, she also criticized the US decision to indict Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha, another Morena party official, on drug trafficking and weapons charges, arguing that such investigations should be handled by Mexican authorities. The Trump administration has accused Rocha’s campaign of collaborating with the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, which it designates as a “foreign terrorist organization.” Rocha announced in May he would temporarily step down from his position to defend himself against the charges.

Lopez Beltran is expected to run for a seat in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies next year. The US State Department has not yet commented on the revocation, and it remains unclear how this situation will impact relations between the two countries.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.