Belize Writes US Congressman and Secretary of State

On the diplomatic front, Belize is challenging Washington’s claims, after a U.S. lawmaker questioned the country’s investment climate over the long‑running Stake Bank cruise port dispute. What started as a private business feud has now pulled in international attention, prompting quiet diplomatic back‑and‑forth. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca says Belize has already answered both U.S. officials, stressing that the case is tied up in court and that government stands ready to clear up any concerns.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

“We have also responded directly to both Chairman Mast and to Secretary Rubio. Setting out in great detail our response to the letter that was sent by Mast to, to Rubio. And we are following up on many different fronts both through our embassy in Washington and here with the US Embassy here in Belize providing information. The bottom line is that that whole campaign that’s taking place is grounded in a private sector matter that’s before the court, so we can’t engage deeply into it. But as you all know the court, it’s going through the court process and the court determined that the acquisition was legal. That is being appealed as Mr. Feinstein has a right to. That is being appealed and that matter is now before the court. So the courts will determine the outcome of that. So we are responding and we have made it very clear to both the chairman of the Foreign Affairs House Committee and to Secretary Rubio that whatever information they require, we are prepared to provide.”

 

Fonseca Blasts Feinstein Over “Smear Campaign”

 

And while the government maintains a formal diplomatic tone in its replies to Washington, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca is being very direct about what he believes is fueling the controversy. He accuses members of the Feinstein group of driving a negative, even dangerous smear campaign against Belize, even as he emphasizes that the government will keep handling the matter through the proper diplomatic channels.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

“ We understand that it’s clear obviously, that the Einstein group has engaged lobbies on their behalf. They are engaged in a very negative and I think dangerous campaign against their country Belize. I find that very disappointing and in many ways disgusting. But we understand we are dealing with it. We have to remain professional, we have to deal with it at a diplomatic level. And we’re doing that. We’re doing that in a responsible way as I said, by responding point by point to every allegation they have made. And making it very clear to the US State Department and to the Congress that we are prepared to provide any information that they need so that they are satisfied that in fact the government of Belize is fully committed to the rule of law, fully committed to a good investment climate, fully committed to the independence of the judiciary. I think in terms of the letter, if you talk to people in the, around the US Capitol those are standard types of letters that go out when constituents come to people and ask for support on particular issues. So we view it in that light. But we are treating it with seriousness and we are treating it respectfully.”

 

Fonseca says Belize will stay professional in its responses, even as he accuses the Feinstein group of pushing a campaign, he believes is harming the country.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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