PM Wants to Transform Belizean Beach into Public Park

The battle over Belizean beachfront is heating up and the Briceño administration says it’s drawing a line in the sand. Over the past three days, government parliamentarians have taken aim at the Opposition, accusing them of shady land dealings tied to former U.D.P. minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez. At the center of the controversy: a prime piece of coastal property and a neighboring parcel once earmarked for a housing NGO, now reportedly on the market for a staggering eleven million dollars. Tonight, we take a closer look at the political storm brewing over Belize’s shoreline.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is unfortunate. For some time when we were in opposition we were asking about this housing for the poor and nobody could have answered and tell us what they are doing, even the then prime minister was kinda skeptical when we was asked about it and could not give a straight answer. But the outrage it has caused with the Belizean people, especially in Belize City, especially people from outside that use that beach,  I think it will be our responsibility to make, is it Mr. Pollard or Mr. Martinez, and make, ask them, I think it is in the interest of the public for them to bring it back so then we can declare it as a public park, pass it on to the city council to manage so our citizens in Belize City can enjoy.”

 

Reporter

“But you know they won’t do that. They are going to expect compensation at market level and the leader of the opposition said yesterday, if the government sees it fit you have funds to do that reclamation.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I am very disappointed in her because she stands up there and pontificates. She is not prepared, not strong enough, I wanted to use man enough but I don’t want it to sound sexist. But when you are not prepared to stand up for what is right, then you need to question the leadership of the leader of the opposition, because she knows what Boots Martinez has allegedly done, or MR. Pollard, what they have done is wrong.”