US Ambassador Roland Bullen says Foreign Trade Minister Clement Rohee has not been denied a visa by the US Embassy but rather his application was caught up in Washington's administrative process.
He said at the signing of an MOU on deportees yesterday that certain types of visa had to be referred to the US capital for approval prior to their issuance.
Pressed by the media on the issue, Consul at the US Embassy, David Shenstead confirmed that the visa had been referred to Washington as was specified by the foreign affairs manual.
He further noted the existence of various reasons for visa denials while highlighting that Rohee's case matched none of these categories.
"It is one of those visas where we need Washington's approval," said Bullen.
But he reserved comment when questioned on the withdrawal by his mission of the Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj's visa.
"I have no comment on consular matters," he said when asked about the reason behind the withdrawal. Gajraj faces allegations by a death squad informant that he knew about the gang's activities. Gajraj has dismissed these allegations as mere speculation. Canada has also revoked his visa.
Foreign Affairs Minister Rudy Insanally, who signed the MOU on behalf of Guyana said, that there was a dialogue on the issue at certain levels while refusing to elaborate. He acknowledged that the dialogue at some point could involve himself and also to some extent, President Bharrat Jagdeo.