List of political scandals in Belize

Last updated

This is a list of noted political scandals that have actually or allegedly involved individuals or entities active in the politics of Belize since the 2000s. This list does not exclude political controversies. [n 1]

Contents

2020s

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
DatePartiesDescriptionOutcomeNb
Nov 2024Dorothy Bradley, Maria RodriguezOpposition and unaligned senators accused government of deliberately not preparing for the upcoming retirement of the Auditor General (Bradley) in order to undermine the Office. They blocked the temporary appointment of the Deputy Auditor General (Rodriguez) on 11 November.– [n 2]
Sep 2024Andre PerezPolice discovered 1.045 pounds of suspected cocaine in a docked boat belonging to an MP (Perez) on 27 September. Authorities cleared the MP of suspicion 'as the boat had been docked for repairs at a boatyard for over 6 months.'– [1]
Sep 2024 Omar Figueroa, Michel Chebat UDP standard bearer for Cayo North (Figueroa) challenged the registration of over 100 electors transferred by their PUP counterpart (Chebat). The court struck 23 voters off the Cayo North roll, though stricken voters were appealing the decision by year's end.– [n 3]
Aug 2024 UB, Health MinNews broke on 8 August that government had changed the site of a planned $90 million hospital for the public university (University of Belize) from their campus to a private property bought for $6.9 million from two Asian nationals allegedly connected to both majority parties.– [n 4]
Jul 2024 Moses Barrow, Michael Peyrefitte, Tracy Panton A UDP faction (Alliance for Democracy) petitioned twice to recall the party leader (Barrow) in late July. After the party chair (Peyrefitte) refused to call a national convention, the faction held their own convention and 'recalled' the leader and 'elected' an interim leader (Panton). The faction then forcibly gained control of the party headquarters on 28 October. A civil suit and countersuit were pending as of year's end.– [2]
Jul 2024Kevin HerreraDuring a Senate session debating the extension of a crime-related state of emergency, a senator (Herrera) 'questioned whether we should consider more draconian measures like prolonged SOEs.'– [3]
Jul 2024 Central Prison Reports emerged of a 13 year old, detained under a crime-related state of emergency, being held with adult inmates at Central Prison. He was transferred to a juvenile detention centre after public outcry, as was a 15 year old in similar circumstances. A court case was pending by year's end.– [4]
Jan 2024Orson ElringtonTwo Belize City women accused a prominent lawyer and UDP official (Elrington) of rape on 12 January. Elrington, who claimed the intercourse had been consensual, resigned from his party posts and was criminally charged in March 2024. The Legal Council found Elrington guilty of grave professional misconduct on 19 April.Elrington resigned, charged in Mar 2024 [5]
Sep 2023Natl Teachers' UnionThe Benque Viejo, Cayo branch of the National Teachers' Union faced backlash for opposing the holding of the annual Children's Rally on the same day as Guatemalan independence. The Rally was held as scheduled, though some schools and teachers did not participate.– [6]
Sep 2023Kevin CadleA senior civil servant in the Youth Department (Cadle) resigned following allegations of academic fraud.Cadle resigned in 2023 [7]
Aug 2023vars demonstratorsOpposition denied a demonstration permit in San Pedro, Belize. Demonstration held but interrupted by police. Denial and interruption criticised as breaches of constitutional right to assembly.– [8]
Aug 2023PM, Moses Barrow The Speaker disqualified a motion of no confidence against the PM by the Opposition Leader (Barrow), whereupon Government revived a previous amendment to the Constitution Act 1981 regarding 'additional grounds' for the disqualification of MPs, seen by some as targetting Barrow.Amendment not moved in 2023 [n 5]
Aug 2023 Hugo Patt, Kerry Belisle, Wilbert Vallejos, Roosevelt BladesGovernment sued the former Lands Minister (Patt), his chief executive (Belisle), Lands Commissioner (Vallejos), and three private companies (linked to Blades), alleging that just prior to the November 2020 elections, the companies paid $59,000 for lands which government had acquired for $6.5 million.– [9]
Aug 2023Andre PerezThe Economy Minister (Perez) was suspended from Cabinet after being accused of sexual harassment by a female lawyer. Perez accused the lawyer of extortion, claiming the relationship had been consensual. An investigation by the Attorney General's Ministry was pending by year's end.Perez suspended, under investigation in 2023 [10]
Aug 2023Ricardo Borja, Resources MinUpon the murder of a Belize City businessman (Borja), it was revealed he had recently given testimony regarding a land scam in Placencia, Stann Creek, allegedly involving multiple civil servants in the Natural Resources Ministry. The Ministry stated the matter was under review in 2023.– [11]
Jul 2023 Elections Commn, vars mediaElections & Boundaries Commission gagged media from disclosing contents of a recent redistricting report (until laid before Parliament). Opposition criticised the gag order for muffling the free press.– [n 6]
Jul 2023 Erwin Contreras, Portico Enterprises LtdA Senate special select committee (chair Janelle Chanona) appointed on 10 July to investigate a contract for a cruise ship port in Belize City previously awarded to Portico Enterprises Ltd (principal David Gegg) by former Economic Minister (Contreras). Contract (including major concessions to the company) allegedly signed without Cabinet approval.– [n 7]
Jul 2023Transport Bd, Serrano's, Cn TransitThe Transport Board revoked Serrano's permit to run a bus line in favour of newcomer, Central Transit, which was accused of being connected with someone in government. A lawsuit was pending by year's end.– [12]
Jul 2023 Anthony Martinez, Gilroy UsherThe former UDP MP for Port Loyola (Martinez) announced his intent to petition to recall the current PUP MP (Usher).– [13]
Jun 2023Chester Williams, Moses Barrow, 7 News, News 5Commissioner of Police (Williams) sued 7 News and News 5 for publishing a statement by Opposition Leader (Barrow) claiming he had issued a gun licence without proper due diligence. Both news stations complied with a demand to publicly apologise to Williams.– [14]
Jun 2023 Chester Williams Reports surfaced of people buying gun licences from the Police Commissioner (Williams), and in one case deliberately misrepresenting background information. Parliament amended gun licensing legislation to entrust licences to a three-member board in 2023, though it had not been constituted by year's end.Licensing reformed in 2023 [15]
May 2023Home Min, DPP Home Minister appointed a special prosecutor to a murder case from which DPP had recused herself and her office. Appointment criticised by some members of Bar Association and Opposition as unconsitutional.– [n 8]
May 2023 Rodwell Ferguson, Marconi Leal, Adele Catzim-SanchezA new chief executive (Catzim-Sanchez) was named for the Transport Ministry after an apparent falling out between the Minister (Ferguson) and the former chief executive (Leal).– [16]
Apr 2023Bar AssnA bill regarding NGOs was tabled and read in Parliament, despite significant concern from NGOs and the Bar Association. Government stated the bill was required to comply with international obligations. Parliament passed the Non-Profit Organisations Act 2023.Act passed in 2023 [17]
Apr 2023St Luke Sch, Mario BustillosThirty-one students (mostly from St Luke Methodist Primary) and seven adults in Belize City were rushed to Karl Heusner after unknowingly consuming snacks and gummies laced with cannabis on 25 April. It was later revealed that the snacks and gummies had been posted from overseas to a suspended police officer, and disposed of by a Police Department exhibit keeper (Bustillos), who was later charged with harm by negligence.Bustillos charged in 2023 [18]
Apr 2023Ruth Shoman, Jorge MejiaPresident of the National Teachers' Union (Shoman), elected 13 April, resigned on 1 September after 'a sustained challenge by some union members about her past.' Jorge Mejia assumed the office ad interim.Shoman resigned in Sep 2023 [19]
Mar 2023Virgilio Murillo, JP Assn Central Prison governor (Murillo) reported that visiting justices had not resumed their prison visits since September 2022, and that the Association of Justices of the Peace had not yet designated visiting JPs.– [20]
Feb 2023 Eamon Courtenay When Senate approved ratification of the Escazu Agreement on 10 February, the Foreign Minister (Courtenay) stated ratification would be delayed until Costa Rica made their position clear. The delay was condemned by various NGOs, leading to ratification on 27 February.Agreement ratified [21]
Feb 2023 Foreign Min The Foreign Ministry announced on 2 February that they had agreed to resettle a Guantanamo prisoner, 42 year old Majid Khan of Pakistan.– [n 9]
Jan 2023Michael EspatA minister of state (Espat) made controversial remarks regarding Maya residents of Toledo, deeming their land rights movement 'bad for the country' and calling for a 'sledgehammer' to break it down. The 'use of any racist language and fearmongering' condemned by government.– [22]
Jan 2023 John Saldivar, Moses Barrow The Opposition Leader (Barrow) called for charges to be brought against former MP and current UDP standard bearer for Belmopan (Saldivar) for alleged private use of a Coast Guard vessel. No charges had been filed by year's end.– [n 10]
Jan 2023Ramon CervantesA Foreign Affairs minister of state (Cervantes) was reassigned to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, though the PM denied allegations that the shuffle was due to questionable behaviour.– [23]
Aug 2022– Parliament passed the Defamation Act 2022 without consultation with media, who opposed it, noting it would 'directly affect the way they gather, compile, and present news.'– [24]
Jun 2022 Dean Barrow Finance Ministry documents were leaked that detailed payments (totalling $5 mil) made to law firms connected to former PM (Barrow) and his family in 2011–2020. Barrow conceded there were instances of 'extreme exigent circumstances' when government turned to his law firm.– [25]
May 2022vars campaignersThere was widespread use of government resources, such as vehicles and personnel, for campaign purposes during village council elections.– [26]
Mar 2022vars ToledoansResidents of the Maya-majority Indian Creek, Toledo protested the use of their football field for the landing of a helicopter during a royal visit. They complained they had not been consulted and were threatened with arrest if they disrupted the visit.Itinerary changed [27]
Feb 2022vars Toledoans, Fauna & Flora Intl Residents of the Maya-majority Indian Creek, Toledo protested the sale of 12,871 acres of land they deemed communal to Fauna & Flora Intl (a conservation NGO). Also, those of the Garifuna-majority Barranco, Toledo protested logging permits issued to outsiders without their consultation nor consent, and in preference to villagers themselves.– [n 11]
Jan 2022Henry Usher Cabinet assigned a religious affairs portfolio to a minister (Usher), who stated he wished to 'merge the public service with the Christian fundamentals and principles upon which the country is based.' Various NGOs raised concerns.– [n 12]
Nov 2021Marco Vidal, four policemenFour subordinates of the Asst Commissioner of Police (Vidal) were involved in drug airplane landings.Vidal resigned in May 2022 [n 13]
Sep 2021Rene Montero BPD issued wanted notice on 6 September for former Works Minister (Montero), under investigation for misuse of human resources and government property to develop private property in which Montero had a personal financial interest.Montero surrendered in Jul 2022 [n 14]
Jul 2021Ramiro de la RosaRosa was not afforded adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence prior to sentencing for possession of unlicensed firearm. When he pled guilty to the offence (allegedly to spare his wife), he was immediately sentenced to prison, contrary to standard practice (granting bail).– [n 15]
Apr 2021PM, Lionel ArzuPM refused to renew the outgoing Ombudsman's (Arzu's) term, and refused to appoint a new one, leading to a 22-month vacancy in the Office.New Ombudsman appointed in Feb 2023 [n 16]
Apr 2021Narda Garcia, Alex SankerPermanent secretary of the PM's Office (Garcia) threatened a well-known painter (Sanker) with a civil suit for a painting depicting her at the SSB during a period when funds were mismanaged.– [n 17]
Apr 2021 Dean Barrow, Luke MartinezThe work of a Commission of Inquiry, appointed in February to investigate the sale of government assets between October 2019 and November 2020 (under PM Barrow), was suspended after the PSU commissioner (Martinez) recused himself in protest of the continued sale of public assets by the new administration (the same actions the Commission was investigating).Inquiry resumed on 16 Aug 2021 [n 18]
Feb 2021Marvin Manzanero, Deysi MendezDirector of Health (Manzanero), who had been recovering from COVID-19, returned to find his post occupied and was offered a demotion. When Manzanero refused, the Ministry's permanent secretary (Mendez) informed him he was suspended while under investigation for misconduct.– [n 19]
Jan 2021Ian Jones, Dean Flowers, vars civil servantsReports abounded of government employees who were unfairly terminated from central government and municipal posts when the new government administration came into power, notably including the Sports Director (Jones). PSU president (Flowers) said the terminations were for 'political reasons.'– [n 20]
Sep 2020Nestor VasquezThe CEO (Vasquez) of state-owned BTL was embroiled in a corruption and embezzlement scandal for transferring company properties to his personal holdings and charging more than $800,000 to his corporate credit card for personal uses.Vasquez removed in 2020 [n 21]
Jul 2020Deshawn Arzu-TorresThe outgoing chair of the Integrity Commission (Arzu-Torres) was reappointed to another two-year term. Despite objections by the Opposition and most non-party Senators (alleging Arzu-Torres 'had unsatisfactorily fulfilled her responsibilities and failed to produce [required] reports'), Parliament confirmed the appointment.– [28]
Feb 2020John Saldivar, Lev DermenCourt documents revealed that the National Security Minister (Saldivar) had received large sums of money from a US citizen (Dermen, accused of tax fraud in the US) in return for political favours.Saldivar resigned in Feb 2020 [n 22]
Jan 2020Herman LongsworthAn audit of the National Sports Council revealed a number of financial infractions, one of which directly involved the Consul General in New York (Longsworth). The Auditor General reported Longsworth may have illegally used official influence in support of a scheme from which he benefitted.Longsworth fired in Jan 2020 [n 23]
Jan 2020 John Briceno, UDP, Dean Barrow, Michael Peyrefitte During a New Year's address, the Opposition Leader (Briceno) claimed 'the endless landings of drug planes around the country [were] directly tied to ranking members of the [UDP].' The AG (Peyrefitte) demanded a public apology after Briceno failed to disclose evidence for his claim. The PM (Barrow) called the claim 'foolishness' and baseless.– [n 24]

2010s

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
DatePartiesDescriptionOutcomeNb
Sep 2019Reynaldo VerdeDeputy Director of the Tax Service (Verde) was detained overseas for extortion and attempted extortion of a foreign investor in Belize. The investor alleged Verde had requested $350,000 in 2017 to erase taxes the investor owed.– [n 25]
Jul 2019Police CommrThe Commissioner of Police instituted a curfew for minors in July in Belize City in response to rising numbers allegedly involved with gangs. The curfew was extended countrywide in September, despite criticism from human rights activists.– [n 26]
Jul 2019 Dean Barrow A law firm for the PM (Barrow) informed media that they might face legal action if they broadcast a court document wherein a foreign government agency alleged the firm and PM had knowledge of a land scam involving foreign investors. Opposition criticised the letter, with Senator Osmany Salas calling it 'an attempt to restrain freedom of press.'– [29]
Sep 2018David Chi, Norman AnthonyA police superintendent (Chi) and police corporal (Anthony) were criminally charged with conspiracy to land an airplane on an unauthorised aerodrome and abetment to import cocaine into the country for a 9 September drug plane landing.Chi and Anthony freed from charges by 2022 [n 27]
Sep 2018many detaineesGovernment imposed a 30-day state of emergency in two Belize City neighbourhoods on 4 September, implemented by police officers and soldiers. Early detainees were not charged within seven days of detention, as required by law. HRC expressed 'grave concern' with how the SOE was imposed.– [n 28]
May 2018 BTL, Kremandala LtdThe state-owned telecom provider (BTL) stopped advertising with all outlets of 'one of the most popular media conglomerates in the country' (Kremandala Ltd). BTL claimed this was a general cut on all advertising, but did not reduce advertising with other media firms. Kremandala Ltd media, owned by family of a prominent Opposition member, were known to be critical of the government.– [30]
Mar 2018 PUP Town council election results for San Pedro, Belize were challenged in court by the PUP, but the case was dismissed in 2018 for lack of sufficient evidence to invalidate the results.– [31]
Mar 2018 Anthony Martinez Development Minister (Martinez) was accused by a former employee of setting up a scheme to profit from public funds. The employee alleged Martinez asked for his help in misappropriating funds for low-income housing. Martinez denied the accusations, and despite calls from Opposition, government did not investigate.– [32]
Sep 2017Bar Assn, Kenneth Benjamin The Bar Association publicly insisted that the Chief Justice (Benjamin) deliver judgments on 30 outstanding civil cases from 2012–2015 by year's end or tender his resignation.CJ fully complied [n 29]
Sep 2016Integrity Commn, 10s MPs, PM, LOEleven Opposition members filed financial disclosure statements, and called for Government MPs to follow suit, despite the Integrity Commission's dormancy since 2014. After public demonstrations urging good governance measures, the PM and Opposition Leader reconstituted the Commission on 30 November.– [n 30]
Aug 2016 Gaspar Vega, Andre Vega, Sharon PittsPress revealed an alleged lands hustle involving the former Deputy PM (G Vega). According to leaked documents, during his tenure at the Lands & Surveys Department, G Vega issued titles to privately owned lands to close friends and family for well below market value, thereby forcing the Department to compensate them at market value for the 'mistake.' In a notable 2014 instance involving his son (A Vega) and lawyer (Pitts), the Department paid compensation valued at $400,000.Ruled unlawful; appealed in 2020 [n 31]
Aug 2016Immigration Dept, vars govt ministersThree special reports by the Auditor General revealed a pattern of improper and illegal issuances of Belizean visas, passports, and citizenship in 2011–2013 by the Immigration & Nationality Department, and named at least twelve former and sitting government ministers as allegedly 'interfering' with such issuances. A Senate select committee held hearings in 2017, and submitted their report and recommendations in 2020. By October 2020 no charges had been filed against anyone.– [33]
Aug 2016 Julius Espat, Michael Peyrefitte An MP (Espat) was ordered by the Speaker (Peyrefitte) to vacate the chambers during a session for 'disregarding the rules of conduct in Parliament.' When Espat refused, he was forcibly removed by police officers and suspended for five months. Police also forcibly removed press from the gallery, 'with the obvious intention of preventing them from capturing footage of them manhandling Espat' per Amandala .Ruled unconsitutional in Aug 2021 [n 32]
Jul 2016 Myrtle Palacio, Guardian PUP Secretary General (Palacio) sued the UDP paper The Guardian for depicting her practicing and endorsing witchcraft in a cartoon. Palacio argued it was an attack on her reputation and Garifuna culture.Ruled against Palacio in 2016 [34]
Apr 2016–Government, via statutory instrument, prohibited access to Sarstoon for 30 days to ease border tensions with Guatemala. The SI's constitutionality was widely questioned.Lifted four days early [n 33]
Apr 2015PM, Treasury, two employeesThe PM announced $500,000 was missing from the Treasury. A joint investigation by police and the Finance Ministry led to the arrest and charging of two government employees.– [35]
Jul 2014one personTwo NGOs protested the appointment of an individual to an immigration committee charged with reviewing applications for temporary stays in the country. The NGOs cited the member's lack of cooperation with the Auditor General's investigation into immigration scandals in 2013.– [36]
May 2014Health MinThe Auditor General uncovered the mismanagement of hundreds of thousands of dollars of government funds by Ministry of Health officials. One official was dismissed, another transferred, and two others suspended pending PSC hearings.– [n 34]
Mar 2014Catholic Ch, vars NGOsThe Catholic Church barred all its schools (including government-aided ones) from cooperating with various NGOs engaged in HIV prevention work, citing their 'agenda of sodomy, abortion, and sexual-gender redefinition' which sought to 'radically change Belize's Christian character.'– [37]
Mar 2014Lands DeptLands & Surveys Department documents were leaked that indicated questionable lands transactions. Press reported numerous instances of Department employees cancelling leases without due notice and fraudulently transferring titles without consent. The PM and Lands Commissioner 'criticised pervasive corruption' in the Department. The Department was further accused of illegally distributing lands to political party associates, but government 'insisted it maintained transparency in the distribution of land.'– [n 35]
Mar 2014 KHMH The Pharmacy Association protested against the hiring of a minister’s daughter as a drug inspector at the public Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.– [38]
Jan 2014Aviation Auth, Edmond Castro The Aviation Authority was publicly accused of handing money to the Aviation Minister (Castro) for his personal use. The PM and BAA declined to officially label this as corruption. Castro was stripped of his portfolio, and all BAA board members resigned.BAA board resigned in 2014; Castro ousted in 2014 [n 36]
Nov 2013 Edmond Castro An MP (Castro) was publicly named by a whistleblower as being involved in the sale of Belizean visas. Castro sued them and the broadcaster, but dropped the suit in July 2015.– [n 37]
Sep 2013 Elvin Penner An investigation uncovered allegations that a minister of state (Penner) had illegally assisted a foreigner to obtain citizenship and receive a Belizean passport. Penner was ousted from Cabinet in September 2013, and charged with two immigration offences in March 2014. Charges were dropped in July 2014 for lack of evidence.Penner ousted in Sep 2013, charged in Mar 2014 [n 38]
Sep 2013Pub Accts CommTwo Opposition members (including the chair) boycotted the bipartisan Public Accounts Committee (convened to evaluate and make recommendations on the Auditor General's reports on public spending), alleging Government members were 'improperly handling the issue.'– [n 39]
May 2013Women's CommnThe Women's Commission added sexual orientation as a protected status to their Gender Policy, launched in May. Marches against this portion of the Policy were held throughout the country, often with hundreds participating. The PM and Special Envoy for Women & Children separately gave public remarks in support of 'equal rights for all.'– [n 40]
May 2013 KHMH The public Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital was accused of gross negligence when 13 babies died while in their NICU. Five families settled with the hospital in September 2014.– [39]
Feb 2013Mark KingA minister of state (King) was suspended without pay from Cabinet for three months after allegedly punching a police officer and brawling in public while intoxicated. Authorities cleared King of the charges in June 2013.King suspended [40]
Dec 2012–Government imposed a moratorium on naturalisations of Guatemalan citizens, in response to complaints that dual citizenship for Guatemalans was constitutionally barred (whereas Guatemala did not have a formal renunciation process for citizens).– [n 41]
Nov 2012–Government designated five Belize City neighbourhoods as crime ridden per the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act. Police searched more than 200 persons before the searches were approved and gazetted as required by law.– [n 42]
Aug 2012Immigration DeptA fugitive obtained a valid passport using the birth certificate of a deceased child. The Immigration & Nationality Department closed their Belize City office and suspended the issuance of emergency passports pending an investigation.– [41]
Mar 2012Belize CitCoAuthorities fired a Belize City Council employee amid allegations that she fraudulently misappropriated council funds by issuing false overtime payments, excess salary, and salary adjustments to employees who did not receive any such monies.Employee fired in Mar 2012 [42]
Mar 2012 PUP, UDP Parliamentary election results for four constituencies were challenged in court by the PUP (three) and UDP (one). Results were upheld in court in all four cases.– [43]
Feb 2012– Parliament passed an amendment to the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act allowing for unlimited areas to be designated as crime ridden. The original and amended Act gave law enforcement expanded powers to execute searches in and restrict movement in and into areas so designated.– [n 43]
Dec 2011Denis HanomansinghPress reported on 21 December that a Supreme Court Justice (Hanomansingh) ruled that a 36 year old man accused of carnal knowledge (rape) of a 14 year old girl had to marry his alleged victim to receive bail.– [44]
Dec 2011 KHMH A Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital memo leaked to press on 22 December alleged corrupt hiring and procurement practices at the hospital.– [45]
Dec 2011PM, OmbudsThe PM did not appoint a new Ombudsman when the Office vacated, leading to a 13-month vacancy.New Ombudsman appointed in Nov 2012, took office in Jan 2013 [n 44]
Nov 2011Magistrates' CtA San Pedro Magistrates' Court employee was arrested and charged with five counts of forgery.Employee charged in 2011 [46]
Aug 2011– Parliament passed an Act to require nonjury trials in criminal cases involving murder, attempted murder, abetment of murder, and conspiracy to commit murder charges. Legal practitioners and human rights activists publicly opposed the Act.– [n 45]
Jul 2011Forest DeptSeveral NGOs accused the Forest Department of ignoring or facilitating the illegal trade of rosewood.– [47]
Jun 2011 BEL The national power provider (Belize Electricity Ltd) is nationalised.Compensation settled in 2016 [48]
May 2011–Government tabled a bill in Parliament that would allow for preventive detention by law enforcement. It was withdrawn it after public opposition.Bill withdrawn in 2011 [49]
Dec 2010– Parliament passed the Interception of Communications Act 2010, allowing law enforcement to intercept voice, fax, and digital communications in the interest of 'national security, public order, public morals, and public safety.' Government called the measures 'necessary to the war on crime,' but the Opposition and other observers criticised them as being too broad in scope and subject to abuse.– [50]
Nov 2010four policemenFour police officers were arrested on drug charges. The jury were instructed to dismiss the case due to a lack of evidence in December 2012.Case dismissed in Dec 2012 [51]
Oct 2010Immigration DeptSix immigration officials were charged with offences relating to the transit of 33 Chinese nationals through the country in September and October 2010. A preliminary inquiry found there was insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution in July 2011, though the case remained under investigation by year's end.Six officers charged in Oct 2010 [n 46]
Feb 2010Belize CitCoThree Belize City Council employees were detained for misappropriation of $60,000 during November 2009 to February 2010. An Audit Department investigation continued at year's end. Police reportedly recovered a portion of the funds.– [52]

2000s

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
DatePartiesDescriptionOutcomeNb
Aug 2009 BTL The national telecoms provider (Belize Telecommunications Ltd) is nationalised.Compensation settled in Aug 2015 [n 47]
Jul 2009 Zenaida Moya, Belize CitCoThe Belize City Mayor (Moya), and two members and one employee of the City Council, were charged with 22 counts of uttering false documents and two counts of failing to comply with accounting regulations in relation to the Council's payment of $1,540, ostensibly for gasoline. The court dismissed all charges in October and November 2010.Three councillors charged in 2009; cases dismissed in 2010 [n 48]
Dec 2003 Said Musa US immunity agreement (to not surrender their nationals to the ICC) signed.– [53]
Sep 2001 Immigration Min, five unionistsFive trade unionists (banana workers, including two Belizeans) expelled to Honduras by Immigration Minister on 5 September, allegedly due to union activities.Expulsion orders revoked on 7 Sep [54]

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ↑ Am 24ii.
  2. ↑ Am 24ii.
  3. ↑ Am 24ii.
  4. ↑ Am 24ii.
  5. ↑ Am 24i.
  6. ↑ Am 23ii.
  7. ↑ Am 23ii; 7 d; Lv b.
  8. ↑ S 23.
  9. ↑ Am 23ii.
  10. ↑ Am 23ii; 7 c; Am e.
  11. ↑ Am 23ii; 5 i; Lv a.
  12. ↑ Am 23ii.
  13. ↑ Am 23ii; 5 h.
  14. ↑ S 23.
  15. ↑ Am 23i.
  16. ↑ Am 23i; 5 g.
  17. ↑ Am 23i.
  18. ↑ Am 23i.
  19. ↑ Am 23i.
  20. ↑ Am 23i.
  21. ↑ Am 23i.
  22. ↑ S 23.
  23. ↑ Am 23i; 7 b; Am d.
  24. ↑ S 22.
  25. ↑ S 22.
  26. ↑ S 22.
  27. ↑ S 22.
  28. ↑ S 20.
  29. ↑ S 19.
  30. ↑ S 18.
  31. ↑ S 18; S 19.
  32. ↑ S 18.
  33. ↑ S 16; S 17; S 18; S 19; S 20.
  34. ↑ S 16.
  35. ↑ S 15.
  36. ↑ S 14.
  37. ↑ S 14.
  38. ↑ S 14; Am j.
  39. ↑ S 14; Am k; 7 l.
  40. ↑ S 13; 7 m.
  41. ↑ S 12.
  42. ↑ S 12.
  43. ↑ S 12; S 13.
  44. ↑ S 11.
  45. ↑ S 11.
  46. ↑ S 11.
  47. ↑ S 11.
  48. ↑ S 17; 5 o; 7 p.
  49. ↑ S 11; 7 q.
  50. ↑ S 10.
  51. ↑ S 11; S 12.
  52. ↑ S 10.
  53. ↑ A 04.
  54. ↑ A 02.
  1. ↑ This article relies mainly on press coverage, so may miss political scandals or controversies which did not gain notoriety, including actual or alleged violations of morality, ethics, propriety, or law not widely noted in press. This article does not include scandalous cases of police brutality nor police killings; see List of cases of police brutality in Belize and List of killings by law enforcement officers in Belize. Notes and short citations provided in Nb columns. Short citations in the form A yy refer to AI, yyyy report, sec Belize. Short citations in the form S yy refer to St, report for yyyy, sec Belize. Short citations in the form Am yy refer to Am a, review for yyyy (or for split reviews, Am yyi refer to the first part of the review, Am yyii refer to second part, and so on).
  2. ↑ Am 24ii. Bradley sworn in for two-year term on 13 January 2023 after government were unable to find a successor (Am 23i).
  3. ↑ Am 24ii; BB a; Rep a. First challenge to transfer of electors (Am 24ii). Figueroa claimed there were a further circa 400 questionable transfers (Am 24ii).
  4. ↑ Am 24ii. Deemed 'one of the biggest scandals to rock the Briceno administration' (Am 24ii).
  5. ↑ Am 23ii. Barrow apologised for an 'angry e-mail message' he had sent the Speaker for disqualifying his motion (Am 23 ii).
  6. ↑ S 23. Report not made public by November 2023 (S 23). Report presented by 17 July, but not debated by end 2023; some Government MPs, Opposition, and Belize Peace Movement objected to some recommendations in leaked report (Am 23i). Caye Caulker voters likewise petitioned to reject a relevant recommendation in leaked report (Am 23ii). BPM lost a lawsuit against the Commission in January 2024 which sought to have them recommend redistricting, though per court advice, BPM brought another claim under the Representation of the People Act, pending by end 2024 (Am 24i).
  7. ↑ S 23; Am 24i; Am 23i; Am 23ii. Finance Min allegedly urged Cabinet to approve the contract in May 2023 (Am 23i).
  8. ↑ S 23. DPP related by marriage to the accused (S 23). Critics noted special prosecutor appointments were constitutionally the sole prerogative of DPP (S 23).
  9. ↑ Am 23i. Deemed 'a shocking revelation' (Am 23i).
  10. ↑ Am 23i; 5 f; 7 a; Am c. Saldivar designated 'significantly corrupt' by US State on 15 Nov 2022 (Am c). Saldivar barred from running for standard bearer in national convention by a UDP special committee on 2 December 2022, but committee's decision overturned by larger UDP national council on 19 December 2022; won convention on 5 February 2023 (Am c).
  11. ↑ S 22. In first case, government 'requested patience from Maya communities' (S 22). In second case, minister Orlando Habet stated government was 'attempting to regulate the issuance of permits because in the past these were sold to companies without major benefits to the community' (S 22).
  12. ↑ S 22. LGBTQ activist Caleb Orozco noted this 'risked governance being influenced by Christian morality and not guided by human rights and dignity' (S 22).
  13. ↑ S 22; BB c. Vidal 'forced to resign for negligence and administrative failures' in May 2022 (S 22).
  14. ↑ S 21; S 22. As of 15 November 2021, Montero was presumed to have fled the country (S 21). Surrendered after an Interpol red notice (S 22).
  15. ↑ S 21. Rosa released pending appeal in 2021 (S 21). The firearm (allegedly belonging to Rosa's recently deceased father-in-law) had been discovered by police during a warrantless search of Rosa's residence (S 21).
  16. ↑ S 21; S 22; S 23. Herman Swazo appointed on 10 February 2023 by PM (S 23). Arzu sued for breach of contract (non-consensual reductions in salary, allowances, holidays) in August 2021 (S 21); court ruled in their favour in August 2022 (S 22).
  17. ↑ S 21. 'Garcia was subsequently investigated' (S 21).
  18. ↑ S 21. Assets sold included office equipment, furniture, and vehicles (S 21).
  19. ↑ S 21. Demotions legally require PSC review (S 21). Government proposed to split Manzanero's post in October 2021, thereby lowering Manzanero's rank sans formal demotion (S 21).
  20. ↑ S 21; 5 j; 7 e; Am f; 7 f; 5 k; 7 g; BB b. An Accountant Genl memo instructed that some terminated employees (hired as 'general open vote workers' and so classed as temporary rather than permanent employees) be denied certain retirement benefits (S 21). PSU provided legal counsel; Jones sued in February 2021 (S 21).
  21. ↑ S 20. Under the previous government, Vasquez had been ousted from the Integrity Commission chairship 'following credible accusations of corruption, impunity, transfer of government assets to private ownership, and nepotism' (S 20). In September 2020, Vasquez also served as chair of SSB, member of the Integrity Commission, and member of the Central Bank, but resigned from these following the scandal (S 20). By end 2020, Vasquez was under investigation by BTL and PM's Office (S 20).
  22. ↑ S 20; Am 23i; Am c. Saldivar remained an MP for Belmopan (S 20). BPD indicated they would investigate and press charges, but as of October 2020 no charges had been filed (S 20). Dermen convicted, sentenced to 40 years by 2023 (Am 23i). Saldivar designated 'significantly corrupt' by US State on 15 Nov 2022 (Am c).
  23. ↑ S 20. 'The investigation continued as of October [2020]' (S 20).
  24. ↑ 5 b; 5 c; 5 d; 5 e. Briceno sued a UDP member (Moses Barrow) over a rebuttal the latter had made to the former's claim; lost in 2023 (Am 23i; CN a).
  25. ↑ S 19. Verde denied the accusations; continued detained abroad awaiting trial by end 2019 (S 19).
  26. ↑ S 19. Number of children detained not public by end 2020 (S 20).
  27. ↑ S 18; Am 23i. Court ruled against Chi and Anthony in January 2023 in civil suit (Am 23i).
  28. ↑ S 18. It was alleged police officers 'arbitrarily detained persons beyond 24 hours without charge, did not take detainees directly to a police station, and used detention as a means of intimidation' prior to SOE (S 18). By end 2018, there was 'no information available' on whether detainees had sought court intervention (S 18).
  29. ↑ S 17; Am g. 'The backlog of civil cases in the Supreme Court continued to be significant' in 2016, despite the introduction of mediation in 2013 (S 16; S 13). To further assist with backlog, an additional justice hired for five-year term, and 39 additional court arbitrators sworn in by Sep 2017 (S 17).)
  30. ↑ S 16. By 2016, the Commn 'had been dormant for most of its existence since 1994 and last functioned in 2014' (S 16).
  31. ↑ S 16; S 17; S 18; S 19; S 20. In 2014, the Dept sold privately owned land to Pitts for $2,500, despite the prior ownership being internally flagged; Pitts sold the same to A Vega for $15,000; the Dept then 'noticed the discrepancy' (two private titles for said land) and compensated the later titleholder (A Vega) at market value ie $400,000 (S 16). G Vega resigned in October 2016 (S 16). By 2018, Pitts entered mediation with government (S 18); on 16 December 2022, Pitts won a civil suit that sought to have her return the compensation (Am 23i).
  32. ↑ S 21; BB d; Am h. Suspension ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court (S 21). 'Espat and Peyrefitte had disagreed in the past, especially when Espat intended to question the actions of the then government for perceived acts of corruption' (S 21).
  33. ↑ S 16. SI 'lifted four days before it was set to expire due to public pressure' (S 16).
  34. ↑ S 14; 7 k. PSC hearings were still pending by end 2014 (S 14).
  35. ↑ S 14; S 15; S 16; S 17; S 18; S 19; 5 l; 7 h. Allegations against Dept continued to 2018 (S 18). In August 2014, government pledged to 'improve customer service and security of files, investigate misconduct by public officers, and enact measures to improve accountability' in the Department (S 14).
  36. ↑ S 14; 7 j; Am i. Castro used the BAA funds for his mother's funeral and to support his constituents (S 14). 'Government reviewed operational protocols' post-scandal (S 14).
  37. ↑ S 14; S 15; 5 m; 7 i. Court ordered Castro cover circa $30,000 in defendants' legal costs (S 15).
  38. ↑ S 13; S 14. Penner remained an MP but attended no sessions afterwards (S 14). The Auditor General denied a FOI Act request by COLA (Citizens Organised for Liberty through Action) for their report on Penner, noting reports could only be published after being laid before Parliament; the Ombudsman upheld the denial in 2014 (S 14).
  39. ↑ S 13; 5 n; 7 n. First convening of PAC (S 13).
  40. ↑ S 13. First time such remarks were made by high-level public officials (S 13). One march featured a figure hanging from a noose with 'UNIBAM' inscribed on its chest (S 13). A transgender fashion show was rescheduled over safety concerns (S 13).
  41. ↑ S 18; 7 o. Still enforced by 2018 (S 18).
  42. ↑ S 12; S 13. First use of this CCCJ Act designation; use extended to Jan 2013 (S 13). Residents reported excessive force by police during searches (S 13).
  43. ↑ S 13. Act further expanded in Dec 2012 to allow crime ridden designation to cover an indefinite area and remain active longer (S 13).
  44. ↑ S 12. The Office had failed to present their annual reports for 2009–2011 by end 2012 (S 12). A staff of two kept the Office functional (S 12).
  45. ↑ S 11; S 12; S 13. First trial without jury held in March 2012; CJ convicted a 20 year old of the attempted murder of a high-profile lawyer (S 12).
  46. ↑ S 10; S 11. Immigration Director transferred to another office in December 2010, though PM stated move was not disciplinary (S 10).
  47. ↑ S 15; S 17; 5 p. Final payment of $156 million made by 10 November 2017, per CCJ order (S 17).
  48. ↑ S 10; 7 r. Moya expelled from political party but continued as mayor by 2010 (S 10). The Council employee died before court proceedings (S 10).

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