Nearly two weeks after stepping aside from his ministerial post to clear the way for an independent government probe into the high-profile Smart Stream scandal, Belmopan’s area representative Oscar Mira is still refusing to step away from his public duties—even as allegations of improper government payments to his family members continue to hound him.
The escalating scandal, which ties to the Belizean Ministry of Defense, has hit a critical turning point this week, with top government officials including Prime Minister John Briceno and suspended minister Florencio Marin set to address public concerns in the coming hours. In an exclusive interview with News Five’s senior correspondent Paul Lopez, Mira pushed back against growing public backlash, arguing that his priority remains delivering for the constituents who elected him, regardless of the cloud of controversy hanging over his tenure.
“I did not get elected solely as a minister. First and foremost, I am the area representative for Belmopan, and I have never taken leave from that role,” Mira told Lopez during an on-the-record meeting in the capital Wednesday. “My responsibilities to the people of this district do not stop because of political noise, and you can see that for yourself in the progress we have made across the city.”
Mira led Lopez on a tour of a rapidly developing residential neighborhood in Belmopan, where long-overdue infrastructure upgrades have recently been completed: new access roads have been graded, public utilities have been connected, and dozens of new homes are under construction in an area that was largely cut off from basic services just two years ago. “There is a lot of noise surrounding this situation, but I choose to block it out, because that noise will not slow down the work we are doing to improve life for Belmopan residents,” he said. “If residents drive through any of these developing areas, they will see a level of progress they have never seen before.”
Public reaction to Mira’s decision to continue constituency work has been sharply divided online. Some members of the public argue that the ongoing corruption allegations have irreparably damaged his reputation and that he should step down from all public duties pending the outcome of the audit, while others credit him for staying focused on delivering visible development projects despite the pressure.
Mira has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with the millions of dollars in Ministry of Defense payments that went to businesses owned by his siblings and close family members, payments that were approved during his tenure as Minister of State, then later as substantive minister of the department. He said he requested a leave of absence from his Cabinet post specifically to allow the audit to proceed without political interference, and he remains fully confident the process will clear his name.
“That noise is just political posturing, and it will die out on its own once the audit is complete,” Mira said. “That is why I asked the prime minister to let me step aside temporarily. I welcome this audit, and I am confident I was not involved in any improper activity.” When asked directly if he believed the probe would vindicate him and his family, he answered firmly: “I am convinced that it will.”
Addressing criticism that his family has enriched itself through improper public contracts at the expense of Belizean taxpayers, Mira defended his relatives’ work. “My family is a hardworking family. My parents raised us to prioritize education, and all of my family members are licensed professionals,” he said. “If they received payments from the government, those payments were for legitimate professional services they provided. I do not believe any of my family members would accept payment for work they did not complete.”
The scandal has brought up new unresolved questions this week, after Lopez confirmed that Mira still retains access to a government-issued ministerial vehicle more than a week into his administrative leave. The vehicle was parked outside Mira’s constituency office Wednesday, and did not display an official Government of Belize license plate. When asked if he still collects his full ministerial salary and receives other executive perks such as allowances during his leave, Mira confirmed he still uses the government vehicle, but said he had not checked his pay status and could not provide a definitive answer.
While Mira insists the upcoming audit will clear all questions of impropriety, the probe has so far failed to address growing public concerns over the continued benefits Mira receives, even as he is suspended from his ministerial duties. Reporting for News Five, Paul Lopez delivered this exclusive update from Belmopan.