Belize’s Minister of Infrastructure Development Julius Espat has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his sartorial choice during a parliamentary session dedicated to domestic violence awareness. While all other government representatives wore bright orange guayaberas to show solidarity with victims, Espat stood out as the sole official who opted for different attire.
In an exclusive interview, Minister Espat clarified that his decision was not an act of political defiance but rather a matter of personal comfort and preference. “No rebellion. I am just comfortable in who I am and I was comfortable in what I wore,” Espat stated, acknowledging the negative public reaction to his choice.
The minister revealed that no customized orange shirt had been provided to him beforehand, though he expressed full support for the awareness initiative itself. Reflecting on the public response, Espat proposed an alternative approach for future campaigns: “I personally believe that if we would have worn a white guayabera with an orange ribbon it would have been professional and send the signal.”
Espat characterized the situation as a learning opportunity for government officials, noting that while the intention behind the orange shirt campaign was positive, the execution drew mixed public reactions. He emphasized the importance of adapting to public sentiment while maintaining support for worthy causes like domestic violence awareness.