PM Addresses Allegations of Government Cartel Ties

In recent days, an ad has been running on the nightly news alleging there is an unnamed government minister affiliated with Mexican cartels. The advertisement features the Leader of the Opposition, Shyne Barrow, declaring Belize a narcos-state and claiming there is a narcos-minister in the Cabinet. Today, the media asked Prime Minister John Briceno about the commercial and whether there is such a person in his Cabinet. Here’s his response. 

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Again I will repeat it was reckless of the Leader of the Opposition and the people that are putting those ads it’s reckless on them because they’re not affecting the government they’re affecting Belize. We are nowhere close to being a narco state and they know it but they’re trying to get some kind of political support. What they’re doing is that people are getting turned off with that kind of behavior so I condemn that in the strongest way possible.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca also vehemently denied Barrow’s claim and condemned his comments. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “No, I think that’s absolutely reckless. It’s irresponsible, you know it’s pathetic there are so many other adjectives I could use but it’s certainly absolutely disappointing and I think It reflects very poorly on him. This is our country. Belize is absolutely not a narco state. We know what narco states look like. You have any idea about foreign policy and any understanding of national security issues you would know what a narco state is. We have seen those in Latin America and parts of Central America as well. So Belize is not there and we absolutely are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that as we keep saying that no narco trafficking organization gains a foothold in this country. I think I condemn in the strongest possible terms the Leader of the Opposition. I think it’s a desperate appeal for support and I think all right thinking Belizeans should condemn his words.”

Reporter: Do you think that’s going to have implications internationally ? 
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “No. No. No. Unfortunately for him but perhaps fortunately for Belize international community does not take the Leader of the Opposition seriously. So there will be no implications. Again it’s in our view a desperate plea for attention which I think has been resoundingly condemned by every right thinking person.”

The Leader of the Opposition’s comments were made last Friday at a press conference.