Trump issues executive order labeling countries as backers of unlawful imprisonment of Americans

In a significant move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, allowing the U.S. to designate nations as state sponsors of wrongful detention. This new designation aims to make it easier to impose penalties on nations that block or restrain Americans.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that no nation should want to end up on this list. The order is similar to the state sponsors of terrorism designation, and it can be applied to groups that control territory even if they are not recognized governments.

The designation is not a new concept, as the Trump Administration has already shown its commitment in this area. They have brought home 72 wrongfully detained Americans, compared to around 75 returned by the previous administration in four years. Notable examples include the three-nation swap in July, which secured the release of 10 jailed U.S. citizens and permanent residents from Venezuela, and the release of an American teacher detained in Russia on drug charges in February.

However, there are no specific details in the search results about which nations the U.S. government has potentially designated under the new "Wrongful-Detention Support" label or the sanctions imposed on these countries. Global Reach, a nonprofit organization, praised the executive order, stating that it will put real teeth behind the U.S. government's efforts to bring home detained Americans.

The State Department can impose penalties such as economic restrictions, visa restrictions, and travel restrictions for Americans to countries labeled as such. Potential countries that could face penalties under the new designation include China, Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia.

The order is designed for Rubio to be able to lift the penalties if a nation changes its practices. This provision provides a path for nations to rectify their actions and potentially remove the designation.

In a recent development, a Russian-American woman who was convicted on treason charges was freed by Moscow in April as part of a prisoner swap. This suggests that negotiations and diplomatic efforts will play a crucial role in resolving cases of wrongful detention.

The executive order marks a significant step in the U.S.'s commitment to ensuring the safety and freedom of its citizens abroad. As more details emerge about the implementation of this new designation, it is expected that the U.S. will continue to press for the release of wrongfully detained Americans around the world.

Trump issues executive order labeling countries as backers of unlawful imprisonment of Americans