Ambassador Alexis Rosado Says Public Campaign Prompted Resignation as ICJ Co-Agent

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, Ambassador Alexis Rosado says he decided to step aside as Belize’s ICJ co-agent to protect the Office of the Agent and Belize’s interests from what he describes as a public campaign against him.  The letter, dated October 26 and copied to Belize’s ICJ Agent, Ambassador Assad Shoman, refers to Rosado’s more than thirty years in public service. Rosado says allegations against him are unrelated to his duties as co-agent and that he intends to defend himself in court. He says he is confident the allegations will be shown to be without merit.  In the letter, Rosado alleges that what he calls a media campaign has been directed not only at him, but also at the Government and the Office of the Agent. He says he concluded, with regret, that the interests of the office and of Belize would be best served by his stepping aside.  Rosado says his resignation is intended to protect the office from what he describes as smears, lies and needless distraction. He adds that institutions outlast individuals and that the work of the agent should be allowed to continue without a cloud over it.  He closes by saying he will continue to defend his name before the court and remains committed to Belize’s national interest.