Minister Perez Rejects 270-Acre Silver Palms Project on Ambergris Caye

Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation and Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, has voiced serious concerns over new developments in the larger part of his constituency, Ambergris Caye.

“In terms of development, it could be going by leaps and bounds. Not only Ambergris Caye, but as well as Caye Caulker. However, from the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation standpoint, we have to be careful. We gotta be careful that we don’t run along too much overdevelopment and then run into problems in terms of the environment being compromised,” he said.

Perez warned that some projects risk harming the environment and disregarding community interests. One such project is the Silver Palms development in northern Ambergris Caye. He criticised the controversial 270-acre parcel.

“I’m not in support of it; clearly the community is not supporting it, and it’s not worth it,” Perez said.

The project, approved in December 2024 under a Limited Level Environmental Study, bypassed public consultation. It has prompted calls from the Opposition for transparency from the Department of the Environment (DOE) and Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai.

In an October 29 interview with Mai, he explained the Limited Level Study process, stating the project is below the 300-acre threshold requiring a full Environmental Impact Assessment. He said the subdivision-focused project received review from key government agencies and was granted clearance under strict conditions.

Perez sharply criticised the DOE for not consulting him or the community. “I do not know what went through, what DOE did to approve it,” he said.

He added that the site “is not worth the investment,” adding, “That area there is very sensitive to fish spawning. It’s very sensitive to fly fishing, so I’m not supporting it.”

“If there’s anybody there who’s interested in buying that property, I’d be shooting it down instantly. Go somewhere else and buy because you’ll not take money’s worth,” Perez said.