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For the past 3 years, however, Mayan King Banana Farms has been under new management, contracted by Zabaneh's 88 year-old mother Myrtle Sheeran. Zabaneh says that for that entire time, he's been keeping away from the company, and the only control he has is the authority that his mother has granted him as her representative. It's a complex situation in the leadership of Mayan King, and we asked them to explain it to us:

John Zabaneh - Spokesperson, Mayan King Banana Farm
"We are crying out to the banks to give us a break. I am sure OFAC designation did not intend. They are being overly protected of themselves. We need an account. The designation talks for itself. Read it. American citizens, American companies. If that be the case I am wearing a hat right now mark Nautica. Nautica should be in trouble. If that was the intention. That's an American company and I am wearing a used shirt, what's it says "Rider." I don't own Rider. Rider is an American company."

Jose Gonzalez - General Manager, Mayan King Banana Farm
"The main sector that is giving us the cold shoulder is the banking sector and initially when we approached them to see if they could sanctioned the agreement and actually engage us in banking relations. They number reason for denying us was for the fact that they were afraid that they would lose their banking relations with the US banks and in an ironic twist of fate, they still ending us losing it for other reasons and so we have not really engaged them now post their crisis, because we believe that they have their hands full right now."

So, even though he's been employing a hands-off approach, his shadow still looms over the company. A perfect example of that effect was back in June when the Social Security Board's Investment Committee approved a loan of 3.5 million dollars to Merdian Enterprise and Diverse Investments. As you heard, Meridian is contracted to run her Mayan King business, and she reportedly also has interests in Diverse Investments also. Eyebrows were raised in suspicion that this loan was made, simply because of the ties of Myrtle Sheeran to her son, John Zabaneh. That connection has also caused the banks to cut ties with Sheeran, and so while we had the opportunity, we asked Zabaneh if he ought to have distanced himself completely from all her interests while he sorts out this "kingpin" designation. Here's how that conversation went:

Daniel Ortiz
"What role do you play in Meridian? Who's managing the companies? What role you play apart from being the spokesperson? What managerial responsibilities? What financial responsibilities do you have to these companies?"

John Zabaneh - Spokesperson, Mayan King Banana Farm
"Well as I mentioned, Meridian was given a management contract. I represent my mother and I will represent her until she dies or she choose otherwise and who don't like that, too bad. Too bad. It's her that will make that decision to remove me."

Daniel Ortiz
"Mr. Zab, you seem to be the problem. Why don't you step back and leave these companies alone completely. Divest all your interest from it so that they can try to rebuild their reputation and someday managed to get in good standing with a bank that will allow them to get past these difficult portions. You are the anchor."

John Zabaneh
"That's where we are at."

Daniel Ortiz
"I am saying that you are the anchor."

John Zabaneh
"I am here because today because yesterday I was called by Mr. Vasquez asking me about these problems that we have. That's why I am here. I have an office upstairs and I was told why don't you go into my office. I said I haven't been in there for 3 years. Why should I go in there now? I don't want to go in there. I am here because you all requested me to be here to answer questions. That's why I am here."

Daniel Ortiz
"You are saying ordinarily you have nothing to do with this company?"

John Zabaneh
"I leave it to management. I represent my mother. My mother doesn't have anything to do with management. Because we still have to live and I don't think OFAC intended us to die or dry up. We still have to live and this belongs to my mother still. But it's a management company."

Daniel Ortiz
"But what if the suspicion is that while they are the paper managers, you are the managers and you are the moving hand. Then you can't divorce yourself from the problems that the company has."

John Zabaneh
"That's not the case. This company is run by the management which is them here and below them they have captains, they have what they called charge hands and that's the sequence of management. If you go into my office you would probably see dust and cobwebs all over the place."

Daniel Ortiz
"They believe and since the rest of Belize believes that even though you say it is not true, how do you convince them otherwise. Because you represent your mother, you still have a vested interest."

John Zabaneh
"Unfortunately it's the other way around. I am guilty until proven innocent. Your assumption and this is what you are saying and really that's the way it seems."

So, what about these new managers who have emerged in the wake of the Zabaneh's blacklisting? Is that by design, and are they only placeholders inserted as the leaders of Maya King on Paper? That's what we asked Jose David Gonzalez:

Daniel Ortiz
"The perception is that your company, the management company Meridian, is simply set in place as sort of a figure head. You all don't really have any management authority. You are just set there as the person on throne to appear as though you are the ones in control. But really Mr. Zabaneh is the moving hand in the background. Is there any truth to that at all?"

Jose Gonzalez - General Manager, Mayan King Banana Farm
"Not at all. Let me explain to you the extent of the relationship with Mr. John Zabaneh. Mr. Zabaneh grew up on these lands. We can't just discard him completely. He has very intimate knowledge of the lands in this area. He can tell you that for instance, something that plays a big role in the farms is PH value of the land and he can tell you specifically and he has shared this with me that a few hundred yards from the river, is a certain PH. A few hundred yards more, it's higher and so and so. That's just one example. 20 years. You really can't discard 20 years of intimate farm experiences."

"Whenever here is alterations to the terrain, whenever there is changes to the vegetation, if we need to knock down trees etc. we must consult with the individuals that represent the true owners. Whenever there is alterations to the buildings, renovations to the packing sheds which are fixed assets, we cannot claim authority on that. So that is the extent that he contributes to us."

Daniel Ortiz
"They are convinced as he has said that he is the personality in charge of this company. How do you try to gain your confidence beyond that suspicion?"

Jose Gonzalez
"I wish it was simple adherence to the policy that he who writes the cheque or he who pays the money is boss. But the tradition is there, to think that Mr. John is behind everything, behind us and all that. And it's hard to convince, because it's a perception. How do you remove a perception from an individual? It's very difficult. I would have to bring an individual, have him sit here with me at the desk, look at the way we run the business and see whether there is absence or there is presence of Mr. John Zabaneh and that's not practical. We hope that as we engage them further and as we continue to prove ourselves, we have a track record of 3 years now of doing solid business with them. We are hoping that they will see that. Sadly, the banks which are like I said the sector that is least likely to work with us - sadly they don't have a vested interest on investigating or in finding out. They just have to go with hunches. If they wanted to they could. They could call up the big vendors and say who has your relationship with Meridian? Are they prompt? Have you see anything? Have you heard anything? Have you ever seen Mr. John come and negotiate on their behalf? Have you heard them say you have to check with Mr. John? They could do that. Those vendors who are our true testimonials for our way of doing business."

Daniel Ortiz
"Do you have any personal connection to Mr. John which would merit what people would perceive as loyalty? This man do so much for me and that is the reason I am here. Is there any such connection to Mr. John?"

Jose Gonzalez
"Not at all. I see Mr. John as who he is. I think he is a very important man down south for what he has contributed. I think what you could say I have for him is great respect. Just like I was taught to respect my elders and especially achieved elders, individuals who have built things and contributed positively. So to say that I have a blind loyalty and that's the reason I am here - that would be absolutely nonsense."

John Zabaneh
"If any of these companies are ever found in wrong doing. I would have to say that I would be responsible."