By Belize Live News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says the United States is within its rights to cancel Godfrey Smith’s visa, but he does not agree with the decision.
“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,” the PM said.
“Do I agree with what they did? I don’t see no reason why Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith’s visa should be revoked. I don’t think he has broken any laws or anything like that.”
Briceño described Smith as a good and outstanding citizen who is well known in Belize and across the Caribbean.
Smith has said he believes his visa was cancelled because he visited China, met with senior officials there and arranged study tours for young Belizeans. Washington has openly said it wants to limit China’s influence in Latin America.
Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca stressed that Smith’s views on China are personal and that Belize remains fully committed to Taiwan, its diplomatic partner of 37 years.
That position has come at a cost. In October, China sanctioned Fonseca himself over Belize’s ties with Taiwan, a move Belize rejected as unwarranted.
The US Embassy has not given a reason for revoking Smith’s visa.
