Prime Minister John Briceño of Belize has addressed the sudden resignation of former Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, attributing it solely to health reasons rather than external pressures. Mai stepped down on Monday, shortly after a Cabinet reshuffle and amidst rumors of influence from the US Embassy in Belize. Briceño emphasized that Mai’s decision was prompted by the need to undergo major surgery for injuries sustained in a horse-riding accident over a year ago. The Prime Minister recounted how Mai had previously shared the incident with the Cabinet, though the severity of his injuries was not fully understood at the time. Briceño stated that Mai chose to take a “leave of absence” to focus on his recovery, ensuring the government’s operations would not be hindered. The timing of the resignation, however, has sparked public skepticism, particularly due to a recent procurement of two bulletproof vests under Mai’s ministry, linked to an armed-robbery investigation. Briceño firmly denied any connection between Mai’s departure and alleged pressure from the United States regarding cartel-related accusations, clarifying that discussions with the US Chargé d’Affaires never involved requests to remove any Cabinet member.