From Ombudsman Office to Legal Showdown

The former Ombudsman is now taking legal action against the Briceño Administration. Six months after retired Major Gilbert Swaso’s contract ended, the Office of the Ombudsman remains unfilled, and this leaves a key watchdog institution effectively inactive since December 2025. So, how did it reach this point? That’s what news Five’s Britney Gordon explains.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Almost six months…that’s how long the Office of the Ombudsman has been vacant. Retired Major Gilbert Swaso has yet to be replaced. Swaso served in the role from January 2023 until his contract expired in December 2025. Nearly six months later, no successor has been appointed, leaving one of the country’s key oversight institutions without permanent leadership. When Swaso’s appointed was announced, and the House passed the motion to make it official, Prime Minster John Briceno praised the decision.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño (File: February 3rd, 2023)

“Madam Speaker I think this appointment is an easy one and one that I expect all members on both side of the house will support, as we have already gotten support from the Senate. This motion has the recommendation of the Cabinet.”

 

Officially sworn in February 2023, Swaso was quickly recognized as a champion of transparency.

 

(Ret Major) Gilbert Swazo, Ombudsman (File: Oct 12th, 2023)

“We exist for people who suffer injustice, people who are vulnerable, people, who essentially are not getting the service that they believe that they deserve. We in the office need for those members of the general public to come and make the complaint because it is only through the complaint that we are able to do our job from the office of the Ombudsman. And that is a point that I want to emphasize. No need to suffer in silence.”

 

And Swaso was anything but silent…and he now believes that it might have cost him his job.  In 2025, social activist Jeremy Enriquez lodged an official complaint to the Ombudsman Office, demanding that the government to honour his Freedom of Information request on how much taxpayer’s money is being spent on private law firms amid the controversial redistricting case.

 

While the Attorney Generals Ministry said it couldn’t provide that information, the Swaso disagreed. In fact, he went further. He recommended that at least part of the information be revealed. However, it was later revealed that Swaso’s contract would not be renewed.  Enriquez believes Swaso’s stance against the government is what ultimately got him fired.

 

Jerry Enriquez, Social Activist (File: January 6th, 2026)

“I definitely share that view. Normally the Ombudsman would be in office for a renewable term for at least nine years. This one is a shocker so there is a lot of concerns to be raised. The government has destroyed the credibility of the office and we are watching very closely to see who will replace him and if there is that level of commitment to the constitution and laws of Belize.”

 

And the vacant post was brought up last week by UDP Senator Sheena Pitts.

 

Sheena Pitts, UDP Senator (File: June 4th, 2026)

“We are here in June 2026 without having to deal with any great efficiency the appointment of an ombudsman for the Office of the Ombudsman, which is a constitutionally enshrined position that is meant to provide the service of check and balance for the Belizean people.”

 

Now, Swaso is taking on the Briceño Administration head-on. He argues that officials ignored constitutional protections tied to his office and mishandled his tenure.

 

(Ret Major) Gilbert Swazo, Former Ombudsman (File: June 8, 2026)

“That ruling I made may have caused some issues within the government. But, when you look at that case, that case the FOIA, the act in itself is there for accountability and when citizens are denied of their constitutional right and remember also that the government of Belize is working for and on behalf of the people of Belize who placed them in office to govern for an on our behalf.”

 

Swaso also took aim at the Prime Minister over remarks made in the National Assembly, where he criticized Swaso for agreeing to an arrangement that could reshape the Ombudsman’s office into a broader human rights institution. Swaso insisted that the government itself had previously committed to establishing a national human rights institute within the Ombudsman’s office. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

As of now, there is no indication when the office will be filled.

 

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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