Political Opponents Challenge Perez Over Voucher Program

A dispute over disaster relief funds is quickly turning into a political flashpoint in Belize Rural South. Area Representative Andre Perez is pushing back against allegations that grocery vouchers funded through relief programs are benefiting a business linked to his family. While Perez insists there has been no wrongdoing, critics argue the issue goes beyond politics and raises questions about transparency, accountability, and whether taxpayers are getting the best value for their money. Now, one of his political rivals is weighing in, adding fresh fuel to an already heated debate.

 

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Caretaker, Belize Rural South

“And we have to clear the air too, because we need to know if we are getting value or money, because after this thing that happened with Oscar Mira, questions have to be asked. And when I hear his way of responding, he feels like we are attacking him or his family. No sir, we are trying to get answers. He signed up for this. Being a public officer you have to be able to answer, especially when there is involvement of the public purse. Are they getting value? Of course a lot of people do need it. We are not saying no. But we also have to pose the question, especially when we are dealing with the handling of the public purse or the public money, if we are getting value for money.”

 

Perez argues that the grocery bag program also helps to support the smaller grocery stores as opposed to large supermarkets.

 

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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