Just days after putting partisan politics aside to align with the ruling administration in condemning Guatemala’s military actions, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton has launched a sharp public attack against Prime Minister John Briceño, labeling him “unhinged” for his recent behavior amid a growing diplomatic dispute.
The controversy stems from an incident last week, when a Guatemalan military aircraft was accused of entering Belizean airspace – a claim Guatemala has outright denied, with officials saying “This Flight Never Happened.” The incursion took place during Belize’s most celebrated national month, which Panton describes as a deliberate act of “aggression and intimidation” that is far from trivial. In response to the incident, Prime Minister Briceño has already recalled Belize’s ambassador to Guatemala for consultations, a standard diplomatic step in response to escalating cross-border tensions.
Speaking at a press conference held by the United Democratic Party on Monday, Panton centered her criticism on Briceño’s recent outburst, where he used obscene language to respond to a question from a reporter. “It is unfortunate that the prime minister is unraveling in the public domain,” Panton said. “He cannot obviously manage the stress that he is obviously under… It is wholly unacceptable for the prime minister to answer any member of the media the way he did yesterday.”
Beyond the personal rebuke, Panton also questioned the incumbent government’s overall strategy for handling repeated cross-border incidents with Guatemala. She emphasized that given Belize’s military disadvantage compared to its larger neighbor, clear, consistent diplomacy is the only viable path forward. Panton argued that the Briceño administration has failed to uphold this standard, leaving Belize without a cohesive, credible response to repeated provocations from Guatemala.