The US has had its eye on Belize, evident with the revocation of Superintendent Aaron Gamboa's VISA. As we've reported, there's also speculation that they took issue with Jose Mai's activities, which led to his resignation. But what else have they asked the Foreign Minister in their meetings with him?
Today we asked Francis Fonseca whether the case of Joseph Budna's kidnapping ever came up, to which he responded no. But did they discuss either Gamboa or Mai with him? And does he buy the "bad back" narrative? Here's what he said.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I don't know. Not to my knowledge. Not to my knowledge. As I said, they're not raised that issue with me. I was not in any meetings with the Prime Minister. So I'm not aware that they brought any issue regarding any minister of government or any visa issue, you know, generally, the US, their policies that, you know, they give visas, they can revoke visas, that is their power and authority. And they don't have to provide any reasons, to individuals, whether you're a police officer or a minister of government or you're a regular citizen, they simply have no legal obligation to provide a reason for why they revoke your visa."
Reporter:
"If this counter-narrative from the Prime Minister regarding Minister Mai's, farmer, bad back and requiring surgery were to be true, that he would exhibit the same difficulties as the former prime minister did and other people, when they have serious back problems requiring surgery."
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah, but I'm not sure what your question is."
Reporter:
"Did you accept that? Did you see him?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I have not spoken to Minister Mai since his resignation from cabinet. All we have to go by is what has been presented to us, right? In the absence of any other information, any order, you know, statement, any other evidence. What has been presented to us in cabinet is that Mr. Mai resigned, former minister Mai resigned because of health reasons. Personal health reasons. In the absence of any other information, I can't speculate beyond that."
Reporter:
"Did he come to cabinet over a year ago and saying that he fell off his horse?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah, I think it was well known in cabinet. I don't remember if he'd declared that, but I think I know in cabinet, it was well known that he had had an accident. He had fallen off a horse. So I know he was getting treatment for that. We knew that in cabinet."
