By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says he sees no reason why the United States revoked the visa of former Foreign Minister and Attorney General Godfrey Smith, but acknowledges that Washington has the right to determine who is permitted to enter their country.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, November 11, Briceño said that while he considers Smith an outstanding Belizean, decisions concerning U.S. visas rest entirely with the American government.
The Prime Minister explained that anyone applying for a visa is essentially requesting permission to enter another country as a guest, and that country has the authority to accept or reject the request.
Asked whether the revocation could be interpreted as a warning to Belize against strengthening relations with China, Briceño declined to speculate, saying he could not comment on something he did not know.
Smith’s visa was revoked by the U.S. Department of State on November 7, with the decision communicated to him through the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan. No specific reason was publicly disclosed.
Smith has suggested that the decision could be connected to his advocacy for Belize to establish diplomatic relations with mainland China instead of Taiwan. He has also facilitated exchanges involving Belizeans travelling to China.
Smith has maintained that he has done nothing wrong and says he will neither appeal the decision nor apply for another U.S. visa.
As BBN previously reported, Smith also offered to resign as Chairman of a Commission of Inquiry in Guyana following the visa revocation, but President Irfaan Ali rejected his offer.
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By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says he sees no reason why the United States revoked the visa of former Foreign Minister and Attorney General Godfrey Smith, but acknowledges that Washington has the right to determine who is permitted to enter their country. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, November 11, Briceño said
The post PM Briceño sees no reason for Godfrey Smith’s U.S. visa revocation, refuses to speculate on possible China connection appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.