Vaz instructs lawyers to take action over 'disparaging' US visa remarks

Government Minister Daryl Vaz says he has instructed his attorneys to take action against persons who have been making disparaging remarks regarding his United States visa.

Vaz says he will not hold back in protecting his reputation.

There has been renewed public discourse surrounding Vaz's visa after his ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) bashed the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) for selecting attorney Isat Buchanan as one of its candidates for the upcoming general elections in light of Buchanan's previous criminal convictions.

The JLP pointed out that Buchanan was convicted in Jamaica for possession of, dealing in and taking steps to smuggle cocaine. He was also sentenced to approximately 10 years' imprisonment in a United States prison for similar drug smuggling crimes.

READ: JLP slams PNP's selection of Isat Buchanan

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But, the PNP has hit back saying it believes that individuals can rehabilitated and return to serve their communities.

The party accused the JLP of hypocrisy, arguing that it has had among its ranks former ministers who faced imprisonment for corruption.

READ: PNP stands firm on Isat Buchanan's candidacy

It also noted the cloud that faced Vaz when he was issued with a US visa that had an annotation.

Vaz's US visa was revoked in 2019.

In 2021, the United States Embassy in Kingston reinstated Vaz's travel permit with a waiver annotation.

Today, Vaz noted that former US Ambassador to Jamaica, Donald Tapia, spoke extensively about the circumstances which led to issue and clarified the matter in 2021 and that by 2022 the issue was rectified and clearance given.

READ: Tapia: The US wronged Vaz

In an effort to highlight that he is in possession of a US travel document that is annotation-free, Vaz has publicly shared a photograph of his US visa information.

“Last month marked two years since the spurious allegations were found to be baseless and politically contrived and I have since then been reissued my 10 year US visa with clearance,” he said.

“Ambassador Tapia spoke publicly about the politically motivated witchhunt in 2021 which gave US authorities reason to believe any such waiver was necessary. Both my diplomatic and 10 year B1/B2 US visas were issued in 2022 after all the necessary clearances would have been approved,” he added.

Vaz says claims regarding his US visa are malicious and politically motivated.

“As stated, I hold no reservations in ensuring I protect my reputation and having already filed lawsuits against senior members of the PNP, I have no issues in extending that to other members of their party.”