‘US revoked my visa because I promote China’s interests’ -MV Barima COI Chairman

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 6:24 by Written By Denis Chabrol

Former Belizean Foreign Minister Justice Godfrey Smith, who is chairing the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry (COI), believes the United States (US) revoked his visa because he has been advocating China’s interests.

The move came weeks after China said it was freezing the assets and denying entry visas of Paraguay’s Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca because they had “taken a series of egregious actions and statements”, which are “damaging China’s core interests”.

He told 7 News Belize that he was not completely surprised at the US’ emailed correspondence notifying him that his visa was revoked on November 7 because “information has come to light indicating that you may be ineligible for your visa.”

“The US government has stated very plainly that it’s desire is to reduce China’s footprint in Latin America. This administration has made no bones about that and this year, especially over the past few months, I have been engaged in enlarging China’s foot print in Belize,” he said.

Mr Smith said he was not a drug user, drug trafficker, represent drug traffickers, engage in immigration hustling or immigration trafficking, represent Americans who are trying to evade taxes, terrorism, money laundering or terrorism financing. “There can be absolutely no doubt that it is not related to any nefarious activity,” he said.

Detailing his role in furthering Chinese interests in Belize, Mr Smith noted that Belize enjoys diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of mainland China. He said in January 2026, he visited China where he held high-level discussions with the Foreign Ministry in Beijing to explore the possibility of getting more Belizeans to understand is, “to see the behemoth that China is” and possibilities. Mr Smith said that Chinese government officials informed him that although there was no Belize-China diplomatic relations, “they were prepared, through me, to engage in that collaboration.” Following that, he said he visited the Chinese embassy in Jamaica and formalised a programme for young Belizean academics and media personnel to visit China on study tours. “So far a number of Belizeans have gone,” said Mr Smith who served as Belize’s Attorney General from 1999 to 2003 and Foreign Minister from 2003 to 2005.

Mr Smith said the visa revocation had no personal effect on him, and while at the same time he acknowledged that it might cause some inconvenience in future, he would not be appealing the US’ decision or reapplying for an American visa. “I have no intention or interest in appealing. I have no intention or interest in reapplying for a US visa. The people say they don’t want you in their country, I am ok with that. I won’t beg them to let me into their country,” he said.

Al Jazeera reported last month that China’s sanctions also prohibit Chinese organisations and individuals from engaging in transactions, cooperation or other activities with the ministers. The Foreign Ministry said that “certain anti-China politicians” who are “driven by self-interest” have pushed their nations to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.