Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, says the government has no influence over US foreign policy or decisions on who is permitted to travel to the United States.

Nandlall was responding to comments by businessman Nazar Mohamed suggesting that a reported US visa review involving High Court Judge Justice Gino Persaud was linked to criticism of the judge following his rulings in the Lamborghini and Ferrari tax cases.

Speaking on his weekly Issues in the News programme, Nandlall dismissed the suggestion as unfounded, stressing that immigration and travel decisions fall under the authority of the US government.

Persaud was reportedly stopped from boarding a US-bound flight at Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Sunday and informed that his visa was under review.

US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot said the embassy was not aware of information relating to the review.

Theriot explained that a visa can be placed under review when a US government agency receives information that raises questions about the holder’s eligibility.

She said such reviews are conducted in Washington and the embassy may not be informed until a decision is made. The embassy would then communicate the decision to the visa holder.

Neither Persaud nor the US government has publicly explained the circumstances or reason for the reported review.

US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot