Agriculture Minister Mai Resigns Amid Scandal and U.S. Pressure

Belize’s political scene was shaken today. Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, has resigned after weeks of mounting controversy and international pressure. News Five confirmed that Mai stepped down this afternoon after tendering a letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, amid reports of pressure from the U.S. Embassy in Belize. His resignation follows explosive allegations from a Mexican news outlet linking him to criminal activity, claims Mai strongly denies, calling them “defamatory” and politically motivated. He’s even threatening legal action against what he describes as “fake news” and opposition operatives. Adding fuel to the fire, the ministry recently faced scrutiny over an invoice for two bulletproof vests worth seven thousand dollars. While speculations tied the purchase to cartel threats against Mai, officials say it was actually linked to an armed robbery investigation. Mai’s departure marks a major turning point for the Briceño administration, and tonight, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton is demanding answers from the Prime Minister.

 

On the Phone: Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“We are extremely concerned on what we perceive to be, and I am sure the rest of the country, perceive to be the unravelling of a corrupt regime. Mister Mai’s departure and resignation from Cabinet was prompted from international concerns about the government’s lack of oversight on what exactly is going on in the Freezone in the north. I keep saying and I say over and over that what concerns me is the infiltration of the cartels in the north and the aggression of the GAF in our southern region and it seems that present administration is mute on these issues of serious national concerns that threatens our sense of security but also encroaching on our sovereignty. And, I think that the government has a duty and obligation to act in the best interest of this country and should not be coerced or forced to seek the resignation of a member of its Cabinet, as I understand allegedly is the case with the Mai situation.”

 

Paul Lopez

“I see that you all speak about the fact that the Belizean people deserve clarity. Is that to say that you all are demanding that the PM come forward and explain to the public exactly what is behind this resignation?”

 

On the Phone: Tracy Panton

“Absolutely, he has a duty and a responsibility to explain why immediately after a reshuffle of his Cabinet, not only a reshuffle, but a reshuffle remix, we say it almost jokingly but it is serious matter, that we have the resignation of a senior member of Cabinet and there is no explanation from the government on this matter.”