The Office of the Prime Minister of Belize has launched an extraordinary counteroffensive against Channel 7 News, accusing its Director Jules Vasquez of orchestrating “petty, personal, malicious, and ridiculous attacks” against Prime Minister John Briceño. The escalating conflict emerged following a November 26 social media post by the news outlet connecting PM Briceño to Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha, who faces criminal charges in Mexico.
The Prime Minister’s Office characterized the reporting as a deliberate attempt to create false associations, emphasizing that Briceño’s 2024 meeting with Rocha occurred within the context of official government business focused on investment and trade opportunities. The OPM statement highlighted that such diplomatic engagements with international business figures fall within the prime minister’s normal professional responsibilities.
In a striking escalation, the government response referenced past corruption allegations involving Vasquez’s late father, former Belize Telemedia Limited executive Nestor Vasquez. The statement pointedly noted that if Vasquez sought corruption, “he need not look far,” referencing Briceño’s previous meetings with Nestor Vasquez, who had reached a settlement with BTL over funds allegedly misused during his tenure.
The 405-word official statement maintained that the administration supports press freedom and factual reporting, describing Belize as a democratic nation with the “most accessible prime minister in Belize’s political history.” However, the OPM issued a clear warning that continued personal attacks would prompt the government to pursue “every legal recourse available.”
When contacted for response, Vasquez offered a terse reply: “Is he ok?” The confrontation represents a significant deterioration in government-media relations in Belize, with potential implications for press freedom and political discourse in the Central American nation.