US revokes Visa of MV Barima CoI Chair; says Pres. Ali rejects his offer to resign

The United States Government has revoked the visa of Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize who is now serving as Chairman of the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry. Following this development, Justice Smith offered to resign as Chairman of the Commission but it was rejected by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

Moments prior to the reconvening of the Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday into the sinking of the MV Barima, Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith told members of the press that he had received news via email that his US Visa has been revoked by the US State Department without any reasons provided.

“They confirmed that indeed the State Department had issued that revocation. But there was no further information that they could provide. I asked if there was anybody at all that I could reach or call to get details or some information as to the basis or reasons for that, and I was told no, there was no further information,” Justice Smith explained.

Nevertheless, while no official reason has been given for the revocation, Justice Smith suggested that his involvement in an exchange programme between the National University of Belize and China may have been a contributing factor. He previously served as President of the University for several years.

“In my mind, the only, the only, and I stress only conceivable thing that I could have done to draw the ire of the United States Government is to have engaged in my capacity as Chairman of the University of Belize, in collaboration with Bejing, the Government of China. And what did that collaboration look like, you may ask and why would it lead to or raise the ire of the United States. The collaboration was basically at two levels, one attempting to engage in academic exchanges between highly reputable distinguished academics from University of Fudan in China, in panel discussions through the University of Belize, and more importantly, and perhaps tellingly, I have been sending young leaders on study tours to China including parliamentarians, at least one parliamentarian.”

However, in light of these developments, Justice Smith explained that he had offered to resign as Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry should the situation be perceived as affecting his ability to discharge his duties effectively.

“The professional thing to do because it is not my decision, I didn’t appoint myself, someone else appointed me, the president, is to inform him of what had happened and to offer to him to resign in the event he believes that it could in any way hinder, hamper, taint my role as Chairman of the Commission and he emphatically declined the offer,” the Chairman further added.

Meanwhile, Justice Smith noted that he will not appeal the decision by the US State Department and more so, he does not have the interest of pursing the matter.