Tracy Panton: “Belize Left Without Ombudsman”

Opposition Leader Tracy Panton has spoken to News 5 about the government’s decision not to renew Ombudsman Gilbert Swazo’s contract. She warns that Belize is now left without a key constitutional oversight officer.

Panton’s comments follow her Tuesday statement criticizing the timing and handling of the decision.

Panton said, “I am disappointed, to be honest. The Office of the Ombudsman is an oversight mechanism for the Government of Belize. It is a constitutionally appointed officer, and there are clear provisions and processes outlined in the Constitution on how those appointments ought to be handled.”

She added that it is customary for officers to indicate months in advance whether they wish to continue in their role. “Clearly based on the Ombudsman’s interview, he did that. We had both a house meeting and a Senate meeting before the end of the year. And so I think there is no excuse why this matter was not brought before the National Assembly for consideration and discussion and debate.”

“It is regrettable that at the 11th hour we are now without an ombudsman. It happened as in the past with the Accountant General’s position. We were without an accountant general for almost two years,” Panton added.

The contract of Ombudsman Major Herman Gilbert Swazo officially ends today, December 31. Swazo said he was caught off guard by a letter he received on Christmas Eve from Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie. “The letter did not in any way address reengagement,” he told News Five on Tuesday. “To my mind, that implies then that I am not gonna be reengaged.”

Meanwhile, CabSec Leslie, described the correspondence as purely procedural, intended to signal the conclusion of the current agreement. He told News 5 that no decision has yet been made regarding a possible renewal of Swazo’s contract.