“That’s Their Right”: Briceño on US Revoking Godfrey Smith’s Visa

Prime Minister John Briceño says he sees no reason why the United States revoked former Foreign Minister Godfrey Smith’s visa, although he recognised that Washington has the right to decide who enters the country.

“That’s their right. Do I agree with what they did? I don’t see no reason why Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith’s visa should be revoked,” PM Briceño said. “At the end of the day, that’s a decision that the U.S. government will make.”

“Whenever we apply for a visa, we are applying to be a guest in a country. And that country can decide for whatever reason they don’t want you to come to their country. That’s their right,” PM added.

Briceño said he was unaware of anything that would warrant the revocation, stating, “I don’t think he has broken any laws or anything like that. He’s a good citizen in Belize, an outstanding citizen. He is known not only in Belize but also in the Caribbean.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca said he was “very surprised, very shocked by it.”
As previously reported by News 5, Smith believes his advocacy for Belize to establish diplomatic relations with China instead of Taiwan may have influenced the decision.

Fonseca said, “Obviously we have got no real explanation for why it was done. He has provided an explanation, and I think perhaps that’s the best explanation.”

Smith has said he will neither appeal the decision nor apply for another US visa.