Meat Master Serves Up Its Response
Meat Master has issued a public statement defending its business dealings with the Ministry of Defense following News Five’s report examining more than $435,000 in payments made to the company over a two-month period.
The company says recent media reports and public commentary about its supply of meat products to the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard contain inaccuracies and that it is providing what it describes as the correct information.
According to the statement, Meat Master was registered in 2022 and was established to produce and supply fresh, smoked and processed meat products. The company says it has invested significant time and resources into building the business and rejects claims of any connection to the Briceño family.
“At no point has there been ties to the Briceño family; not as part owners of the business nor as owners of the property,” the statement reads.
The company also says it was selected in April 2026 through the government’s established tender process after submitting all required bidding documents and meeting the procurement requirements. Meat Master maintains that every invoice it submitted accurately reflected the goods delivered to the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard.
“As a local Belizean business, our reputation has been built on hard work, quality products, and professional service. We remain committed to conducting our business with integrity and transparency,” the statement says.
The company further called on the media to ensure reporting is based on verified facts, warning that inaccurate reporting could unfairly damage the reputation of the business, its employees and the families who depend on it.
However, the statement does not directly address several of the issues raised in News Five’s investigation. It makes no reference to the fifty-four invoices, each valued below the $10,000 threshold, that were paid during April and May 2026. It also does not explain why thirty-five separate invoices, totaling more than $300,000, were processed on a single day.