Trump Issues Executive Order Designating ‘State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention’ – What It Means for Global Relations | CNN Politics

US President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to create a new category called “state sponsor of wrongful detention.” This aims to address the growing issue of foreign countries wrongfully imprisoning American citizens.

The goal is clear: to discourage nations from unlawfully detaining US citizens and prompt the release of those wrongfully held. The Secretary of State will determine which countries receive this designation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted that countries labeled as such could face serious consequences. These include economic sanctions, restrictions on visas, and limitations on foreign assistance. “Anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price,” Rubio stated.

Potential candidates for this designation include countries like Venezuela, Russia, Iran, China, and Afghanistan, known for detaining Americans without just cause. As it stands, several US citizens are currently considered wrongfully detained or held hostage in these nations.

A senior administration official mentioned that travelers with US passports might face restrictions in certain countries. For instance, travel to North Korea is tightly controlled. In those cases, exceptions are occasionally made through a special validation passport process.

Before countries are officially designated, they will be warned and given a chance to respond. This applies not just to recognized governments but also to groups in control of territories, even if they lack official recognition—such as the Taliban in Afghanistan, where at least one American remains imprisoned.

This new measure allows the US to apply punitive actions typically reserved for those designated as state sponsors of terrorism. “You don’t have to be funding terror groups,” the official said. “You can simply be exploiting our citizens.”

Advocates against wrongful detentions welcomed the order. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation called it a significant step in tackling these violations, encouraging countries to release detained Americans promptly.

Families of victims are also hopeful. The family of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who vanished in Iran in 2007, expressed gratitude for the new order. They believe that holding countries accountable is essential to preventing future wrongful detentions.

Organizations focused on hostage issues, like Global Reach, see this new measure as a powerful tool for bringing home Americans and discouraging nations from engaging in “hostage diplomacy.”

Former detainee Paul Whelan emphasized the importance of providing proper care for former hostages once they’re back home. He described the executive order as a “good start” but highlighted that further support must follow.

This isn’t the first time such actions have been taken. In 2022, the Biden administration also established measures to prevent hostage-taking, declaring it a national emergency and indicating risks on travel advisories in certain countries.

As this issue continues to evolve, advocates and families alike hope that this new designation will make a tangible difference in the lives of those wrongfully detained abroad.

For further insight into wrongful detentions and their implications, you can read more from the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

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