In the midst of a raging public debate over government procurement practices in Belize, former Miss Universe Belize Isabella Zabaneh has stepped forward to push back against mounting criticism of her call to raise the government’s $10,000 procurement threshold. The controversy comes as the ongoing “Mira Millions” corruption investigation into the Ministry of Defense has kept public scrutiny focused sharply on the government’s public spending protocols, turning a routine policy discussion into a flashpoint of public outrage.
In an official statement released to address days of backlash, Zabaneh made clear that she unequivocally does not condone or defend corruption in any form. She emphasized that her comments, delivered during a People’s United Party (PUP) National Party Council meeting held in Dangriga, were not made in her capacity as a former pageant titleholder, but as a private citizen and registered voter exercising her right to political discourse.
Zabaneh has stood firm by her core policy position, arguing that existing procurement regulations are overdue for a review to align with current economic conditions. Crucially, she added that any regulatory adjustments must be paired with strengthened, not weakened, oversight of public spending. “Belize deserves a government that is both efficient and accountable. We should never have to choose between strong oversight and effective administration. Good governance is not about sacrificing one for the other; it is about designing systems that achieve both,” she wrote in the statement.
The public backlash against Zabaneh has prompted a show of support from within her own party ranks. Members of the PUP’s United Women’s Group have rallied around her, dismissing the widespread public outrage as a malicious smear campaign targeting an outspoken female voice within the party.
This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television news broadcast, with original Kriol-language remarks transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accuracy.