In a dramatic political standoff, Belize’s United Democratic Party (UDP) has formally boycotted a recent House of Representatives sitting, escalating tensions with Prime Minister Johnny Briceño’s administration. The opposition party justified its absence as a protest against what it characterizes as governmental corruption and disrespect toward parliamentary procedures.
Central to the controversy is the acquisition deal involving telecommunications providers BTL and Smart, which UDP leadership claims lacked transparency and proper oversight. Senator Gabriel Zetina emphasized that the boycott decision was reached collectively by UDP parliamentarians without coercion, characterizing it as a necessary action against perceived governmental misconduct.
UDP Leader Tracy Panton delivered particularly sharp criticism, accusing the Briceño administration of attempting to use the national assembly as a ‘rubber stamp for corruption.’ She highlighted the Prime Minister’s contradictory position regarding the BTL transaction—initially claiming no knowledge of the deal involving his family’s company, then subsequently directing a pause in proceedings.
The term ‘kunumunu’ (a Belizean Creole term implying foolishness or lack of intelligence) was invoked by UDP representatives to describe how they believe the government perceives opposition parliamentarians, underscoring the deepening rift between Belize’s leading political factions. This parliamentary boycott represents one of the most significant confrontations between the UDP and the ruling administration in recent legislative sessions.