President Donald Trump has approved a new executive order aimed at safeguarding American citizens from what he described as “unjust detention” in foreign countries.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State on Friday, the order sets out stiff measures against governments or groups involved in detaining Americans without due cause.
The statement explained that the directive introduces unprecedented steps to punish those responsible for holding U.S. nationals unlawfully.
Under the new policy, foreign actors labeled as “State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention” could be subjected to severe penalties, it added.
These punitive measures include economic sanctions, visa bans, restrictions on foreign aid, and limits on travel for U.S. passport holders.
The Department stressed that, similar to the designation of State Sponsors of Terrorism, countries should avoid being placed on this list.
In conclusion, it warned that any attempt to use American citizens as leverage in international dealings will be met with heavy consequences. The move, it emphasized, reflects the administration’s determination to prioritize the safety and rights of U.S. nationals around the world.