US Revokes Visa of MV Barima Inquiry Chairman Godfrey Smith

The United States has revoked the visa of Senior Counsel Godfrey Phillip Smith, the Belizean jurist currently chairing Guyana’s Commission of Inquiry into the July 18 sinking of the passenger vessel MV Barima, according to a report published Monday by Greater Belize Media.

The report, published by the Belizean media outlet, said Smith shared with its newsroom a copy of an email from the US Embassy’s consular section informing him that his visa had been revoked.

According to the reported correspondence, the Embassy stated that information had come to light indicating that Smith might be ineligible for his visa. It further advised that if he was not physically present in the United States, the revocation would take effect immediately.