" Trump signed an order, aiming to penalize countries for arbitrarily holding hostages unjustly"
The United States has taken a significant step towards ensuring the safe return of its citizens held in foreign countries, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order to designate countries as state sponsors of wrongful detention.
The new order, which mirrors Foreign Terrorist Organization designations, empowers the administration to impose sanctions, export controls, and ban entry into the U.S. for individuals associated with wrongful detentions.
Since January, the administration has successfully secured the return of 72 Americans, including those from Russia and Afghanistan. This initiative underscores the administration's commitment to prioritizing the return of Americans held abroad.
The executive order allows for the imposition of punitive measures, including sanctions, on countries wrongfully holding Americans. However, it does not specifically mention China, Russia, or Iran, but senior administration officials have confirmed that these countries, along with Afghanistan, will be targeted.
Iran is believed to be holding around eight Americans, and Russia nine. The U.S. has previously provided Moscow with a list of nine Americans jailed in Russia that Washington wants to have returned.
The U.S. has expressed concern about detentions of Americans in Venezuela. In a stern warning, Trump threatened Venezuelan jets, stating that they would be shot down if they threaten U.S. warships.
Trump's move comes after the U.S. identified and reviewed countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea as possible candidates for designation as state sponsors of wrongful detention of Americans.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that anyone using an American as a bargaining chip will face consequences. The State Department has also expressed concern over the Chinese government's blocking of a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee from leaving China.
Global Reach, a nonprofit organization, has commended the new designation, stating that it will put "real teeth behind the US government's efforts to bring home detained Americans and deter offending nations from engaging in 'hostage diplomacy'."
It is worth noting that Russia is under severe sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine. Iran, designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the United States, is already under heavy U.S. sanctions.
Trump has made it clear that "everything changes with regards to rogue regimes and regimes who think Americans can be treated as pawns." He has also stated that he could lift sanctions if there is progress in resolving the issue of wrongful detention.
This move is expected to escalate diplomatic tensions with the targeted countries, but the administration remains steadfast in its commitment to the safe return of American citizens.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- "Trump Criticizes EU's $3.5 billion fine on Google as Unjust, Threatens Additional Tariffs"
- Restructuring community adaptability amidst multiple concurrent crises
- Travel enthusiasts are securing their winter vacation plans as summer draws to a close
