President Dr. Irfaan Ali has rejected an offer by Belizean jurist Godfrey Smith to step down as Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly MV Barima ferry disaster, following the revocation of his United States visa.
Smith, a former Attorney General and Foreign Minister of Belize, disclosed on Tuesday, that he had approached President Ali after receiving notification from the United States Embassy in Belmopan that his visa had been cancelled.
Speaking to reporters at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, shortly before the resumption of the inquiry’s public hearings, Smith explained that he considered it necessary to inform the President of the development and give him the opportunity to determine whether it could affect the commission’s work.
The former Belizean government minister maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing but believed offering to relinquish the position was the appropriate professional response.
Smith said he offered to resign if President Ali believed the visa cancellation could hinder the inquiry or undermine his position as chairman.
However, according to Smith, the President emphatically declined the offer, effectively allowing him to continue leading the investigation into the July 18 maritime tragedy that claimed more than 100 lives.
Smith revealed that he received an email from the US Embassy’s Consular Section informing him that his visa had been revoked.
After receiving the notification, he contacted the embassy to confirm that the communication was genuine and to establish the reason behind the decision.
He said embassy representatives confirmed that the United States Department of State had authorised the cancellation but provided no specific explanation.
Smith also reportedly sought information about whether another official could clarify the decision, but was advised that no further details were available.
The Belizean jurist has rejected suggestions that the revocation could be connected to criminal conduct, insisting that he has no involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, immigration-related schemes or terrorism financing.
Instead, he believes the decision may be connected to his efforts to promote educational and cultural exchanges between Belize and China.
According to Smith, his activities involving Chinese institutions represent the only possible explanation he can identify for the US government’s decision.
He disclosed that he travelled to China in January 2026, where he held discussions with senior officials of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Those engagements reportedly focused on creating opportunities for young Belizeans, including academics, media professionals and emerging leaders, to participate in educational exchanges and study tours.
Smith also highlighted collaboration involving China’s Fudan University, which he said was intended to strengthen academic relationships and expose Belizean participants to opportunities in China.
The former Foreign Minister acknowledged that the United States has expressed concerns about China’s expanding influence in Latin America.
However, he emphasised that his belief about the possible connection remains speculation, since American authorities have not provided an official reason for revoking his visa.
