标签： Belize

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has issued a firm rebuttal to a social media post accusing Minister Jose Abelardo Mai of involvement in local and cross-border criminal activities. In a statement released on October 2, 2025, from Belmopan, the ministry dismissed the allegations as baseless and part of a coordinated campaign of ‘fake news’ orchestrated by political adversaries. The ministry emphasized that the post is a deliberate attempt to divert public attention amid escalating political tensions.

The ministry has vowed to pursue all available legal avenues against those responsible for the publication and dissemination of the defamatory content. It warned that individuals who repost or republish such false information could face similar legal consequences as the original publisher. The statement highlighted the legal principles of defamation, stressing that false or unverifiable claims about individuals are not protected under the law and that repeating such claims does not legitimize them.

Additionally, the ministry referenced Section 15 of the Cyber-Crimes Act (Revised Edition 2020), which criminalizes the dissemination of false information intended to harm a person’s reputation. This suggests that the ministry may pursue both civil and criminal actions against the perpetrators. While the specific content of the post and its original publisher were not disclosed, the ministry urged the public to exercise caution and avoid spreading unverified information. It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the minister’s reputation through all legal means.

Church leaders in Belize have clarified that the recent cannabis referendum in Caye Caulker does not contravene their 2022 agreement with the government. They assert that the referendum is a localized initiative and not a national policy shift. Senator Pastor Louis Wade, a key figure in the churches’ “No” campaign, emphasized that the 2022 pact with the Government of Belize—which mandates a national referendum before any legalization of cannabis—remains unbroken. Wade explained that the Caye Caulker vote is not driven by the Cabinet and lacks unified ministerial support, thus it does not breach the agreement. He stated, “Absolutely not, because there are ministers who have clearly expressed their opposition and have called for amendments to the Referendum Act to prevent such occurrences in the future. However, if the government proceeds with legalization based on a ‘yes’ vote, that would constitute a breach, and we would address it accordingly.” Wade further noted that the churches became formally involved after the Elections and Boundaries Commission restricted recognized participation to organizations represented by the four Senate social-partner seats. While the churches would have preferred a community-led “No” campaign, their formal recognition was necessary to ensure the effort’s legitimacy. Operationally, the churches are deploying scrutineers and a volunteer committee to oversee the election process, underscoring the localized nature of the exercise. Additionally, the churches have requested the petition signatures that initiated the referendum, citing concerns from island residents who claim their names were included without consent. The 2022 agreement between church leaders and the government explicitly requires a national referendum before any legalization of cannabis. Wade maintains that only Cabinet action to legalize based solely on the Caye Caulker results would violate this pact. In the absence of such action, the referendum serves as a local gauge of public opinion rather than a precursor to national policy change.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has launched a scathing critique of the Belizean Government’s management of the October 1 implementation of the CARICOM Free Movement of Nationals policy, which includes Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The UDP claims that Belizeans were inadequately informed about the policy’s practical implications, leaving both citizens and employers in the dark. During a press conference, UDP leader Hon. Patrick Faber highlighted that while Barbados conducted detailed briefings to prepare its citizens, Belize failed to provide comparable information. Faber argued that the lack of communication has created widespread confusion, with many Belizeans unaware of the policy’s full-scale effects. The Government, however, has outlined that the policy permits indefinite stays for nationals of the four countries, with registration systems in place for accessing healthcare and education. Security measures include vetting by CARICOM’s IMPACS and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) to screen for potential threats. Despite these assurances, Faber expressed concerns about Belize’s readiness to handle the additional pressures, citing existing challenges such as crime, healthcare deficiencies, and economic strain. The UDP emphasized the need for clear communication, consultation, and safeguards to protect Belizeans and the economy, warning that the current approach risks fueling uncertainty and undermining public confidence.