BELIZE CITY – July 6, 2026 – As a high-stakes corruption probe dubbed the ‘Mira Millions’ investigation gains growing public scrutiny and two senior cabinet ministers step aside from their duties, Prime Minister John Briceño has publicly pushed back against growing allegations of graft within his administration, defending his government’s proactive response to the unfolding audit.
Speaking at the People’s United Party (PUP) National Party Council meeting held in Dangriga, Briceño framed the recent leave of absence granted to two top officials as a deliberate measure to enable unobstructed investigation. Defense Minister Florencio Marin Jr. has agreed to step down from his post for a 90-day period, clearing the way for the Auditor General to conduct a full review of the Ministry of Defense’s activities without political interference. Former Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira remains on administrative leave as the audit of his former portfolio proceeds.
Briceño used the address to double down on his administration’s stated commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, pushing back against criticism from opposition figure John Saldivar, who has levied sharp accusations against the current government. The prime minister announced that the Auditor General’s probe will extend as far back as 2015, a period when Saldivar held office, to uncover any potential wrongdoing during that tenure.
“Over the past weeks, we have witnessed and heard multiple claims that run counter to the core values our administration was elected to uphold,” Briceño told attendees. “Irregularities uncovered in procurement processes within the Belize Defence Force directly contradict our pledge to deliver transparent, accountable governance. Because we stand firm in our promise of zero tolerance for corruption, we have not hesitated to act.”
Acknowledging that his administration is not immune to error, Briceño emphasized that the government’s approach to mismanagement stands in stark contrast to opaque practices of previous governments. “We do not claim to be perfect – mistakes are a natural part of human work,” he said. “But what we will not do is sweep those mistakes under the rug or hide them from public view. When problems are identified, we address them head-on and fix them. That is the promise we made to the Belizean people, who are our ultimate employers.”
Both Marin and Mira have issued formal statements denying any involvement in illegal activity connected to the ongoing investigation, maintaining their innocence as the audit proceeds.
This report is adapted from a televised evening news transcript, with original Kriol language remarks transcribed using a standardized spelling system for clarity.