Amid growing public attention over unconfirmed and confirmed allegations of misconduct among frontline public servants in Belize’s Customs and Immigration departments, the Public Service Union (PSU) has outlined a clear, firm stance that balances protection of due process for its members with zero tolerance for corrupt or unethical behavior.
In an official statement released on October 6, 2026, the union confirmed it is actively monitoring ongoing reports of improper conduct across the public service, including the high-profile claims involving officers at the two border and ports agencies. While the PSU did not name any individual officers or reference specific open cases in its public release, the statement comes just days after local police announced extortion charges against Ruben Requena, an active Immigration officer.
According to investigators, Requena is accused of demanding a $6,000 illicit payment from a shipping agent based at Big Creek Port. The complaint alleges Requena threatened the agent after she made moves to report the unlawful demand to authorities. To date, the PSU has not confirmed whether Requena is a union member, nor has it directly addressed his specific case in its public communication.
In its statement, the union emphasized that its core mandate does not include covering up unethical behavior. “Representing a member is not condoning misconduct,” the release read. The PSU’s position is rooted in the principle that every public servant is entitled to fair procedural protections and legal representation under existing public service rules, but union membership does not grant immunity for illegal or improper acts. “Union membership is not a shield for wrongdoing,” the statement added.
The union pointed to specific sections of Belize’s Public Service Regulations — Section 82(2)(e), (f), (g) and (h) — which outline rules addressing professional misconduct and behavior that undermines public trust in an officer’s integrity. The PSU stressed that these regulatory provisions must be applied evenly, fairly and without exception across all ranks of the public service. When credible evidence confirms misconduct has occurred, the union said, such behavior cannot be justified, excused, or protected by the organization.
To clarify its position for both members and the general public, the PSU repeated its core stance: “The PSU will defend due process. We will not defend wrongdoing.”
The organization went on to issue a formal call for relevant government ministries and oversight authorities to handle all ongoing disciplinary investigations into the allegations promptly, impartially and with full transparency. While the union affirmed that every accused officer is entitled to the opportunity to defend themselves against claims, it also noted that the public has a non-negotiable right to trust the public servants empowered to serve the community.
The statement further noted that systemic corruption and isolated cases of misconduct do not just harm the public — they also damage the reputation of the vast majority of public servants who carry out their duties honestly and with dedication. “Corruption and misconduct erode public confidence and dishonour the many Public Officers who serve with honesty and dedication,” the release said. In closing, the PSU urged all its members to adhere to the highest possible standards of integrity, professionalism, and open governance in all their daily work.