Ali refuses resignation of Barima inquiry chairman after US revokes judge's visa

GEORGETOWN, Guyana. President Irfaan Ali has turned down an offer by Justice Godfrey Smith to step down as chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Barima, after the United States revoked the judge's visa.

The ferry sank on July 18 with the loss of more than 100 lives.

Smith, a Belizean jurist, told a news conference that he had informed the president as a matter of professionalism. "I did not appoint myself, somebody else appointed me," he said, adding that he had offered to resign in case the president felt the matter could "hinder, hamper, or taint" his role as chairman.

He said the president "emphatically declined the offer".

No reason given

Smith, who is also the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) High-Level Representative on Law and Criminal Justice, an ad hoc Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean and chairman of the University of Belize board of directors, said the US had given him no explanation.

An email from the consular section of the US Embassy stated only that "information has come to light indicating that you may be ineligible for your visa". The embassy confirmed that the revocation was issued by the State Department but said no further information could be provided.

Addressing speculation on social media, Smith said: "I do not take drugs. I do not traffic drugs. I do not represent drug traffickers."

China link suggested

He said the only connection he could conceive of was his role in academic exchanges and study tours between the University of Belize and China, including engagements with scholars from Fudan University and tours to China for young leaders, among them parliamentarians.

He noted that Belize recognises Taiwan rather than Beijing, and suggested that his engagement with Chinese institutions may have drawn scrutiny from Washington, given US concern over China's growing influence in Latin America.

"I accept their decision and will move on from there," he said. He added that he would welcome a public explanation but would not pursue the matter, having been advised that no further details were available.

Smith said the revocation had no bearing on the work of the commission, whose hearings resumed on Tuesday.