No name, no warrant’ …US Ambassador tight-lipped on names of officials on visa restrictions

The United States (U.S) says that it cannot provide the names, number of or category of the individuals who it stated would face visa restrictions for “undermining democracy in Guyana”.

A virtual press briefing hosted today by U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch brought few answers to the media’s many questions based on the announcement made yesterday by U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo.

Pompeo had stated on Wednesday: “Today I’m announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Guyana. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to restrictions.  The Granger government must respect the results of democratic elections and step aside.”

However, Lynch said that “privacy laws” prevent the U.S. from naming these individuals. When the media pointed out that, on other occasions, the U.S. Embassy had informed airlines about restricted individuals, Lynch said that that notion was incorrect.

“We don’t inform the airlines. It’s a Consular Affairs action and there is an exchange of letters but there is no change in policy here. Visa records are confidential under U.S. law. We are not able to identify the individuals or provide details on any individuals…people will be informed when they apply for a visa or if they already have one and they plan to travel to the U.S. They will be informed that their visa has been revoked,” she explained.

The visa restrictions were made under the Section 212(a) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act which speaks to the restriction of persons who potentially pose “serious adverse foreign policy consequences” to the U.S. Lynch said that the visa restrictions took effect immediately, as they were announced by the U.S. Secretary of State.

Questioned whether the actions of the U.S. government can be seen as premature given that the matter of an election declaration is before the Court, the U.S. Ambassador denied such.

“We do not feel that we’re getting ahead of anything here. As I’ve now said several times, the Secretary of State has spoken out for several weeks about the potential for serious consequences should Guyana or should individuals in Guyana continue to undermine the democratic process,” she said.

She also denied that the U.S. actions has anything to do with the neighbouring Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan government.

“We’re focused on Guyana. It has nothing to do with any other nation…we do not feel that we’re getting ahead of anything here. As I’ve now said several times, the Secretary of State has spoken out for several weeks about the potential for serious consequences should Guyana or should individuals in Guyana continue to undermine the democratic process,” she said, adding: “These are all targeted, keep in mind, on individuals who have been identified as undermining democracy. Targeted individuals.”

On Wednesday, in announcing the visa restrictions, the U.S. Secretary of State called on President David Granger to “step aside”.

Pompeo said that Guyana’s “non-democratic trajectory” is dangerous for its citizens and for the hemisphere as a whole. 

However, in a statement in response that day, the Executive arm of Government expressed its regret in the decision of the U.S. The Government stated that the Executive arm has not interfered in the functioning of the Elections Commission.

“The matter affecting the outcome of Guyana’s elections is still before courts, which is entirely the responsibility of the judiciary. No declaration has been made. The Executive Branch has not participated in the undermining of the electoral process and urges all countries interested in Guyana’s development to await the logical conclusion of the process which is being managed by the Elections Commission, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana,” the release said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Lynch said that whether further action will be taken on individuals in Guyana will be determined by the highest level of the U.S. government.