Trump signed a decree against countries that detain American citizens

President Donald Trump signed an executive order this Friday establishing a new official designation: "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detentions," with the goal of penalizing countries and entities that unjustly imprison American citizens.

This measure seeks to protect United States nationals against the growing use of arbitrary detentions as a coercion tactic by foreign governments and non-state actors.

The executive order grants the Secretary of State, currently Marco Rubio, the authority to designate any country or entity that participates directly or indirectly in the wrongful detention of American citizens.

The consequences for designated countries may include economic sanctions, visa restrictions, limitations on foreign assistance, export controls, and even travel restrictions for American citizens to those territories.

Rubio stated firmly: "The message is clear: anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price." The administration indicated that countries at risk of receiving this designation will be notified in advance, offering them an opportunity to correct their conduct before sanctions take effect.

Additionally, the order establishes that if a country releases the detained Americans, demonstrates real changes in its policies or leadership, and provides credible assurances that it will not repeat these practices, the designation could be revoked.

This applies not only to recognized governments, but also to groups that control significant territories, as in the case of Afghanistan and the presence of the Taliban, whom the United States doesn't officially recognize as a government.

The Trump administration emphasized that this action is a direct response to what they described as a weak policy by former Democratic President Joe Biden in the face of these situations.

According to White House Deputy Spokesperson Taylor Rogers, "During the Biden administration, our adversaries learned they could use Americans as hostages without consequences." It was stated that in Biden's four years, 24 more Americans were captured than rescued.

Trump emphasized his commitment to a foreign policy based on defending American citizens and the principle of "America First." Since his return to power, he has achieved the release of 72 citizens detained abroad, including several high-profile cases:

• Marc Fogel, American teacher unjustly detained in Russia for more than three years, released in February.
   
• Ksenia Karelina, American dancer held in a Russian penal colony for 14 months, released in April.
   
• Keith Siegel, Hamas hostage for 484 days, released in February.
   
• George Glezmann, detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for 836 days, released in March.
   
• Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, also released on the night of Trump's inauguration.
   
• Edan Alexander, American-Israeli citizen, held by Hamas for 584 days, returned home in July.

Various human rights and hostage advocacy organizations praised the executive order. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation described it as a "crucial step" to confront a practice that violates international norms and endangers innocent lives.

The family of Robert Levinson, former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in 2007, also thanked the measure, noting that governments responsible for these actions "must know they will pay a price with the full weight of the United States government."

Meanwhile, Global Reach, an organization working for the return of detained Americans, considered that this designation "will give real strength to the government's efforts" and will deter countries that practice hostage diplomacy. Paul Whelan, former detainee in Russia for six years, praised the initiative as a "good start," but urged to ensure support for hostages even after their release.

It is worth noting that this measure expands the scope of legal tools previously used only against state sponsors of terrorism. Now, any actor who detains Americans without justification could face the same consequences as those who finance groups like Hamas or al-Qaeda.

In 2022, former Democratic President Biden also signed an executive order related to the wrongful detention of citizens, declaring the issue a national emergency.

His administration implemented the "D" indicator in State Department travel advisories to warn about the risk of kidnapping or wrongful detention in specific countries. However, the Trump administration's measure represents a stronger and more forceful response to this threat.

With this measure, Trump reinforces his policy of defending Americans abroad and sends a clear message to adversaries: the United States will protect its citizens and will severely penalize those who use them as instruments of political pressure.