After Public Backlash, Isabella Zabaneh Says: “I Do Not Defend Corruption”

“I do not defend corruption under any circumstances.” That is the message former Miss Universe Belize Isabella Zabaneh is now putting out following days of criticism over her call to raise the government’s $10,000 procurement threshold.

In a lengthy public statement released on Monday, Zabaneh said that although she represented Belize as Miss Universe Belize for the past year, that role officially ended on June 29. According to her, the comments she made at the People’s United Party National Party Council meeting in Dangriga were made not as a titleholder, but as a “private citizen”, “voter”, and “Belizean” exercising her right to participate in public debate.

Zabaneth said it was not an attempt to defend anyone linked to the “ongoing investigation”, An investigation has been launched into the ‘Mira Millions’ at the Ministry of Defence.

The former MUB stated she recognises how her comments may have been misinterpreted by several members of the public. She said, “If my remarks gave anyone the impression that I was suggesting transparency should be weakened or accountability should be compromised, then I understand why that caused concern.”

While clarifying her intent, Zabaneh maintained her position on raising the threshold, stating this time that the government should “review” procurement thresholds to ensure they reflect “today’s economic realities while preserving appropriate oversight.”

Her statement comes after the United Women’s Group of the PUP branded the criticism against her a “malicious backlash”, framing it as an attack on a young woman’s right to speak.