Foreign Affairs Ministry Defends High-Value Vehicle Acquisition  

On Friday night, we brought you the story about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its quarter-million-dollar vehicle purchase from Car Guys Belize Limited. The ministry is now setting the record straight. In a public statement, the ministry clarified that the pre-owned 2024 Land Cruiser wasn’t bought using taxpayers’ money. Instead, they explained that the vehicle, along with another, was provided through support from strategic partners. In fact, the ministry says that since the Briceño Administration took office, it hasn’t spent a single cent of public funds on vehicles. Every addition to their fleet, they say, has come through donations from development partners. As for how these vehicles are used? The ministry says they’re essential for day-to-day operations and for providing protocol services across the Government of Belize. And when it comes to value for money, the ministry insists it does its homework, sourcing vehicles from reputable dealers with a solid track record of working with the government. That includes the Land Cruiser in question. So, while the price tag raised eyebrows, the Ministry is making it clear: no taxpayer dollars were used, and the vehicle is part of a broader strategy to keep government operations moving, efficiently and diplomatically.