PM Briceno Clashes With Sugarcane Farmers Over Sector Takeover

Prime Minister John Briceno has pulled rank with the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association (BSCFA), reminding them who is the boss.  This week, the BSCFA issued a letter criticizing Briceno’s move to take over the portfolio from Agriculture Minister Jose Mai and appoint Dr. Osmond Martinez to oversee the day-to-day operations of the sector. The BSCFA, led by Alfredo Ortega, voiced their discontent, accusing the Prime Minister of a double standard in his approach given that it came after an emergency meeting with Belize Sugar Industries (ASR/BSI). Ortega called on Briceno to reconsider his decision, suggesting that it was not in alignment with the association’s beliefs and interests in the sugar industry’s future. Yesterday, the Prime Minister clapped back at the association, urging them to reconsider their stance.  

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I am going to be kind to the BSCFA and first of all that they’re not the Prime Minister. If Fred Ortega or any one of them want to be prime minister put their name on a ballot and someday they can be the prime minister and make the decisions. When I make decisions in setting up a cabinet I try to look at from different angles from where I think I could put the best team forward and believe that’s exactly what I have done and I have the reasons why I brought the sugar industry under my position. The industry is in crisis and we have to give it the highest priority. If they can’t realize that that industry is in crisis then they are the problem because they are in crisis themselves as an association but I don’t want to get into a back and forth with them. Really I found their letter very insulting but I will leave it as that.”