Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs has denied a report that a sitting government minister has had their United States visa revoked.

The ministry’s response followed a report in the Trinidad Express by journalist Mark Bassant, which has since been removed from the newspaper’s website.

“Contrary to a story in today’s Trinidad Express authored by Mr Mark Bassant, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs is pleased to inform the population that NO sitting Trinidad and Tobago government minister’s US visa has been revoked. The government of Trinidad and Tobago has no involvement in the issuance or revocation of US visas,” the ministry said.

The report also claimed that several immigration officers, police officers and other government officials suspected of involvement in bribery linked to work permits, drug trafficking and human trafficking had their US visas revoked or were denied entry into the country.

The Trinidad Express said it contacted the minister by phone and WhatsApp for a response. According to the newspaper, the minister reportedly read the message but did not respond to the request for comment.