WASHINGTON

The US on Friday announced visa restrictions on three Chilean government officials for what it characterized as undermining regional security.

The State Department said it had determined that the officials "knowingly directed, authorized, funded, provided significant support to, and/or carried out activities that compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure and undermined regional security in our hemisphere."

As a result, the department said the individuals and their immediate family members are generally ineligible for entry into the US.

The US remains committed to countering attempts to undermine regional security and subvert national sovereignty, the department said.

"We continue to promote accountability for Chilean nationals who intentionally work to destabilize our hemisphere," it said.