– Ambassador Theriot says in response to questions on Justice Persaud’s visa review

THE United States Embassy in Guyana was not aware that the visa of High Court Judge Justice Gino Persaud was under review when he was stopped from boarding a US-bound flight on Sunday, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said yesterday.
Justice Persaud was blocked from boarding the flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and was informed that his US visa was under review.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a security conference in Guyana, Ambassador Theriot explained that while the US Embassy would, on occasion, provide information to Washington concerning visa holders and their eligibility to retain their visas, it was not aware of information related to the review of Justice Persaud’s visa.
“On occasion we would submit that information, but in the case that I think you are talking about, we were not aware”, the Ambassador said.
Theriot explained that a visa may be placed under review when a US Government agency receives information concerning the visa holder.
“It means that from some US Government source, they have received some information that would cause them to reconsider whether that person is eligible for a visa”, Ambassador Theriot said.
She further explained: “There is a legal basis for someone receiving a visa, and that is that they have proven that they are not an intending immigrant to the United States. That’s the basis of the tourist and none business visa. That’s the basis, the legal basis in U.S. law is that they have qualified because they proved that they are not an intending immigrant.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has since dismissed claims that the Guyana Government might have been responsible for the US visa review for the High Court Judge.
“The government of Guyana, including the president, the vice president, and the attorney general, have absolutely no influence whatsoever over American U.S. foreign policy or any aspect of American U.S. government or U.S. governance, and in particular, certainly, no influence whatsoever in relation to whom the U.S. will permit to travel to the United States of America,” the Attorney General said on Tuesday.
Justice Persaud was reportedly unable to proceed with planned travel on Saturday after being advised that his United States visa was under review, according to sections of the media.
Justice Persaud was reportedly among a delegation of Guyanese judicial officers scheduled to travel to Kingston, Jamaica, for the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) Annual Conference 2026, which runs from September 20 to 24.
According to the media reports, Justice Persaud was advised during the airline check-in process that he could not proceed on the itinerary because of the reported status of his U.S. visa.