Justice Gino Persaud visa review sparks judicial independence concerns

High Court Justice Gino Persaud was prevented from traveling to a judicial conference in Jamaica after being informed that his United States visa was under review. The incident has sparked debate regarding judicial independence and potential government involvement.

Social commentator GHK Lall criticized the Guyana government, alleging that an incident at Cheddi Jagan International Airport—where Persaud was publicly recalled to have his baggage searched after already passing through checkpoints—was a deliberate attempt to humiliate the judge. Attorney General Anil Nandlall has denied that President Irfaan Ali or other government officials had any influence over the U.S. visa decision.

U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot stated that the Georgetown Embassy was unaware of the specific information prompting the review, noting that such matters are handled in Washington. Some observers have raised concerns that the visa review could be linked to Persaud’s previous legal rulings involving tax disputes and the Mohamed family, suggesting the situation may represent an attempt to intimidate the Guyanese judiciary.