Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shocked by Smith’s Visa Cancellation

A well-respected Belizean lawyer loses his U.S. visa, and now questions are mounting over why. Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith believes the decision may be connected to his outspoken support for Belize establishing diplomatic ties with mainland China. While Washington has the right to decide who enters the United States, Prime Minister John Briceño says he sees no reason for Smith to be targeted, praising him as an exemplary Belizean and respected regional figure. Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca is also expressing concern, saying the government was caught off guard and has received no official explanation. So, what prompted the controversial decision, and what does Belize make of it?

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“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. Do I agree with what they did? I don’t see no reason why Senior Counselor Godfrey Smith should be re– his visa should be revoked. I don’t think he has broken any laws or anything like that. He’s a, a good citizen in Belize, an outstanding citizen. He is known not only in Belize, but also in the Caribbean. But at the end of the day, that’s a decision that the US government would make.”

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“I was not aware of it until yesterday when someone brought it to my attention. I’m very, surprised, very shocked by it. He has obviously spoken publicly about it. We at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we were not informed of the decision. The US government obviously has the right to revoke anyone’s visa and they have not provided any reasons for that rev- revocation. So we’re surprised at that development.”

 

Reporter

“He was advocating for Belize to establish dip- diplomatic ties with China. Do you believe that is a valid reason for it to be revoked?”

 

Francis Fonseca

“That’s not for me to say. That’s for the US to determine. They have their own policies. That’s Mr. Smith’s personal position. Belize, of course, our position is very firmly and very clearly that we are committed to our diplomatic relations with Taiwan They have been a good friend and partner of Belize for 37 years.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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