In a move that has ignited widespread public concern, the Belizean government has allowed the position of Ombudsman to fall vacant by declining to renew the contract of retired Major Gilbert Swaso at the conclusion of 2025. The decision, made without official explanation, has created a constitutional void in the nation’s primary mechanism for citizen protection against governmental maladministration.
The Office of the Ombudsman, established in 1999 as an independent constitutional watchdog, serves as a critical safeguard against abuse of power, violations of the Freedom of Information Act, and systemic injustice. The position carries significant authority, with compensation equivalent to Supreme Court justices and a mandated three-year term with eligibility for reappointment.
Former Ombudsman Swaso previously emphasized the office’s vital role during a 2023 interview, stating, ‘We exist for people who suffer injustice, people who are vulnerable, people who essentially are not getting the service that they believe they deserve.’ His departure leaves citizens without this essential recourse mechanism.
The vacancy comes at a time when the office was actively handling multiple high-profile cases, including a wrongful eviction complaint from an elderly Belize City resident, an investigation into a police-involved shooting, and a transparency request from social activist Jerry Enriquez regarding government legal fees.
While some citizens have reported successful resolutions through the Ombudsman’s office, others like Belize City resident Monique Teck have expressed frustration with unresolved complaints against police departments. The current vacancy raises fundamental questions about governmental commitment to accountability and transparency, particularly regarding the appointment process for this supposedly independent position.
With no interim replacement announced and no explanation provided for the non-renewal, Belizeans are left to ponder whether this constitutional protection mechanism will be maintained or allowed to deteriorate through neglect.