Belize has entered a period of constitutional uncertainty following the expiration of Ombudsman Major Herman Gilbert Swazo’s contract on December 31, 2025. The situation has escalated into a political confrontation after Opposition Leader Tracy Panton publicly condemned the government’s handling of the transition, warning that the nation now lacks a crucial oversight mechanism.
Panton expressed profound disappointment with the administration’s failure to initiate reappointment procedures, emphasizing that the Office of the Ombudsman serves as a fundamental constitutional check on governmental power. She revealed that Swazo had followed established protocols by indicating his willingness to continue serving months in advance, yet the matter never reached the National Assembly for proper deliberation.
The controversy deepened when Swazo disclosed receiving unexpected correspondence from Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie on Christmas Eve—a communication he interpreted as signaling non-renewal despite containing no explicit discussion of reengagement. This eleventh-hour development has drawn parallels to previous institutional vacancies, including the two-year period without an Accountant General.
In response to mounting criticism, Cabinet Secretary Leslie characterized the communication as routine administrative procedure, merely acknowledging the contract’s expiration without prejudice to future decisions regarding renewal. The government maintains that no final determination has been made about filling the position, though the absence of an acting ombudsman has created an immediate governance gap.
This development raises significant questions about institutional continuity and the government’s commitment to maintaining essential democratic safeguards, particularly given the office’s responsibility for investigating public complaints against governmental entities.