Guyana president rejects resignation offer from Belizean judge after U.S. visa revocation

Guyana President Irfaan Ali has rejected an offer to resign from Belizean Justice Godfrey Smith, chairman of the commission investigating the deadly MV Barima ferry disaster, following the revocation of Smith’s U.S. visa.

Smith, a former attorney general and foreign minister of Belize, confirmed Tuesday that he had offered to step down as chairman of the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry after receiving notice that his U.S. visitor visa had been revoked.

Full coverageIrfaan Ali Rejects Godfrey Smith’s Resignation Offer After US Revokes Visa4 reports

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Speaking to reporters ahead of the resumption of public hearings into the July 18 ferry capsizing, which claimed more than 100 lives, Smith said he believed it was appropriate to inform the Guyanese president of the development and offer his resignation.