Belize Prime Minister John Briceño appears to be in full damage control after Rep. Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling into question the transparency of the government of Belize, and citing “corruption as impediments to doing business in Belize.”
“I write because concerns have been raised with the Committee regarding the state of rule of law in Belize and the potential implications for U.S. strategic interests, American investments, and the bilateral relationship,” stated Chairman Mast.
The term “Banana Republic” comes to mind after reading Rep. Mast’s letter to Secretary Rubio, which is nothing less than scathing, as it questions Belize’s entire “state of rule of law.”
Chairman Mast suggested that the State Department “evaluate whether current conditions in Belize pose risks…”
Mast also made a few requests of Secretary Rubio.
- Assess the current state of rule of law, judicial independence, and property rights protections in Belize, with particular attention to whether the investment climate for American businesses has deteriorated and what factors are driving investor disputes in the country.
- Evaluate whether governance deficiencies in Belize create strategic vulnerabilities that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) could exploit to advance its diplomatic offensive in the hemisphere, including risks to Belize's continued recognition of Taiwan.
- Detail engagements with the Government of Belize to reinforce the importance of judicial independence, transparent governance, and a predictable investment climate.
During a recent local television appearance, the hosts asked PM Briceño about the scrutiny he was receiving from the Stake Bank Island and U.S. lawmakers over the handling of the Port of Belize, and if it had affected him.
PM Briceño paused for a moment before responding with a letter he says was from Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez, where the congressman allegedly praised Belize as a whole.
“I just got a letter from a congressman, one of the most influential congressmen out of Florida, who has written a letter of support to Belize,” said Briceño.
Briceño recited the allegedly letter Rep. Gimenez wrote, where he only outlined Rep. Gimenez’s praise for Belize on agriculture, and not a blanket praise for the Belizean government’s complete business operations across all sectors.
This appears to be a misrepresentation of Gimenez's letter.
Briceño, who has a close allegiance to Communist Cuba President Miguel Diaz-Canel, appears to have used Gimenez’s sole praise for Belize’s agriculture sector to give himself cover over the allegations Rep. Mast made in his letter to Secretary Rubio.
In The Floridian’s request for comment on the matter, Rep. Gimenez reiterated his support for Belize’s support for American investments in agriculture, but nothing more.
“Congressman Gimenez has thanked the Prime Minister for backing American agricultural investments in Belize & urged the government to protect the significant US investments already on the ground,” said Gimenez.
We are waiting for a response from the State Department.
