U.S. Chargé d’Affaires: ‘Not Comfortable Speaking About Any Specifics’

As the political fallout surrounding Abelardo Mai’s resignation looms, the U.S. Embassy was brought into the conversation today, though not through direct questions about the minister’s departure.

Mai resigned in mid-November. According to reports, Mai resigned under pressure from the Prime Minister, who is himself reportedly facing pressure from the United States.

Prime Minister John Briceño later told News 5 that Mai took a leave of absence for health reasons. He explained that the Orange Walk South Area Representative had fallen off a horse a year or so ago and now requires surgery on his lower back.

Today, reporters asked U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Katharine Beamer not about Mai’s resignation, but about an October 30th meeting she held with Prime Minister John Briceño. The question focused on whether she could discuss the substance of that meeting.

Beamer declined to offer specifics. “I have an excellent relationship with all of the Belizean counterparts. Everyone here has been very warm and welcoming to me,” she said. “We spoke about a range of topics, and I don’t feel comfortable speaking about any specifics. But the United States and Belize enjoy a really robust partnership and certainly countering narcotics trafficking and improving the relationship between Belize and the United States are some of my foremost priorities.”

Mai’s resignation as the Minister of Agriculture follows a public controversy in October when he forcefully rejected a viral social media post that attempted to link him to criminal activity. At the time, Mai dismissed the claims as entirely fabricated. He called the post “highly defamatory” and insisted that he “categorically denies all allegations.”

Mai’s ministerial appointment was formally revoked on November 18th, 2025. Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam signed the revocation, acting on the advice of Prime Minister John Briceño as provided under section 40 of the Constitution of Belize. Mai, who was appointed on March 17, 2025, is no longer a member of the Cabinet effective November 18.