Weeks after triggering widespread backlash from inaccurate remarks about the Garifuna community’s population size, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño has sat down for direct negotiations with leadership of the National Garifuna Council to address longstanding community priorities, chief among them land rights and formal indigenous recognition.
The face-to-face meeting marks a key step toward de-escalating tensions that erupted after Briceño’s conversation with internationally renowned soca artist Machel Montano, where the prime minister incorrectly claimed the Garifuna population in Belize numbered only between 3,000 and 4,000. Following swift public criticism from the community and Indigenous Affairs leaders, Briceño issued a formal public apology and proactively reached out to council leadership to schedule the discussion.
Following the meeting, Briceño reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing indigenous rights across the country. “Our government remains dedicated to upholding the inherent rights of all indigenous peoples, and protecting the unique Garifuna culture and heritage that form such an invaluable part of Belize’s national identity,” he stated in remarks after the talks, confirming that land rights topped the agenda of issues addressed during the session.
National Garifuna Council President Alex Nolberto confirmed that Briceño openly acknowledged the error in his earlier population statistics, and that the community’s focus extends far beyond correcting the misstatement. Nolberto highlighted that a long-awaited memorandum of understanding remains the group’s top legislative priority: if finalized, the agreement will formally legally recognize the Garifuna people as an indigenous group within Belize and unlock critical public funding needed for community development projects.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh had previously framed Briceño’s earlier comment as an accidental misstatement, noting that “it was an innocent mistake” while also emphasizing that he fully understands why the community reacted with frustration. Zabaneh added that all parties now agree the focus should shift from the controversy to advancing substantive policy changes that benefit the Garifuna community, aligning with the government’s broader commitments to equity and indigenous self-determination.