President Donald Trump has signed an executive order creating a new designation, “state sponsor of wrongful detention”, aimed at pressuring foreign governments that illegally hold U.S. citizens.
Under the order, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will have the authority to impose sanctions, restrict visas, and enact other punitive measures against countries designated under the new classification, according to a senior administration official.
“We are drawing a very clear line in the sand,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “You will not use Americans as bargaining chips”.
The administration has not yet disclosed when sanctions or visa restrictions might be announced or which countries could be targeted.
The U.S. government also keeps details about wrongful detentions largely confidential. However, according to a 2024 Foley Foundation report, at least 54 Americans are currently held hostage or wrongfully detained across 17 countries, including Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and Venezuela.
The executive order also allows for penalties against countries that support non-state actors or terrorist groups involved in detaining Americans.
Officials further revealed that the administration is considering travel restrictions to certain high-risk countries as part of a broader deterrence strategy.
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