Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay Files Constitutional Claim For Ambassador Alexis Rosado

Ambassador Alexis Rosado's case was back before the High Court this morning, but not at the court in Belmopan. Instead, it was in Belize City, where Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay filed a constitutional claim on Rosado's behalf. It argues that Rosado's right to a fair trial was violated after his lead attorney, Dickie Bradley, could not appear when his rape trial was set to begin.
Courtenay filed the constitutional motion yesterday, and it was heard this morning before Justice Derick Sylvester.

The former Foreign Minister says he was contacted by Rosado because he needed an opportunity to find new lead counsel:

Eamon Courtenay, Senior Counsel
"Mr. Rosado filed an urgent constitutional claim to protect his rights because his counsel did not turn up for the trial. He was not aware that his counsel was not going to turn upâ€”his lead counselâ€”and so asked for an adjournment, which was refused. The Constitution guarantees to him and everyone else a fair trial, and if your lead attorney on the day of trial doesn't turn up, you are entitled to ask the court for an adjournment to find counsel. The trial proceeded without his lead counsel and without him getting an opportunity to get a lead counsel. And in those circumstances, he contacted me, told me what was happening, and so we filed urgent constitutional relief here, asking this court to stop the trial in Belmopan to allow him an opportunity to find counsel. Yesterday, Mr. Banner, who was appearing for him, sought an adjournment because we had this matter to be heard in the High Court here."

"My understanding is that the prosecution resisted strongly even an adjournment for his constitutional claim and application to be heard. Eventually, the trial judge relented and has adjourned it until the 16th of October to give him time to find a lead counsel. So I believe he will, in this week or just over a week, be seeking to find a lead counsel to represent him, and I suspect along with Mr. Banner."

"But I was just involved in the constitutional matter to protect his right. I don't practice criminal law."

Lead Defense Counsel in Criminal Trial Dickie Bradley Details Next Steps Following Rosado Constitutional Claim

But what happens next now that the constitutional claim has been filed, and how will it impact the criminal proceedings?
We spoke with Dickie Bradley, Rosado's criminal attorney and lead counsel.

He explained what they intend to do, and it may even include asking Justice Nathalie Creary-Dixon to recuse herself:

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"With this matter it gives us some kind of pause. We will look carefully at what was said and how the court conducted itself, and we may ask the judge to recuse herself from the matter."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"So criminal proceedings are stayed while the constitutional matter is considered, or they're stayed until he can find suitable counsel moving forward, or is it just a stalling technique to decide on a strategy?"

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"No, there is no need to stall to find a strategy. We have gone over all of that many months ago."

"I don't think it's going to be no concurrent jurisdiction that they're going to continue to hear his matter while the High Court is hearing this other matter. I would hope that the matter is adjourned to that dateâ€”that's why Eamon is asking for the matter to be heard."

Jomarie Lanza, 7News
"So can the outcome of the constitutional side of it change the trajectory of the criminal aspect of it?"

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"Well, it was mainly, primarily focused on the matter that he is entitled to be given time..."

Jomarie Lanza
"So, can we see this case be prolonged for longer than it already is?"

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"I hate the word 'prolonged.' Why 'prolonged'? This matter is a very new matter in the courtsâ€”very new matter. The incident happened a long time, but there was just an indictment over a year, two years ago."

Jules Vasquez
"But there's a pattern with this case. You say it's new in the court, but it should have started trial on January 26th. There is a pattern: first of the defendant being unwell and unable to appear, and then one of his counsel understandably has a procedure. But what I'm saying is there is a pattern of delay."

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"But how much delay will that allow? I mean, a couple daysâ€”this is the vagaries of the trial system. Everybody could be strong and healthy."

"It's not a pattern. It's one incident that happened in January. We can complain that, listen, you indicted this man two years agoâ€”why are you waiting for now to all of a sudden want hurry push? That is the pattern there."

Jules Vasquez
"So, what happens now?"

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"What happens now is that we will sit with Ambassador Rosado next week and go over... he was present in the court, we will probably ask for the transcripts of what has transpired, we would ask him to share that with outside legal opinion and for him to take advice on that matter."

Defence Attorney Refutes Claims That Co-Counsel Leeroy Banner Was Dismissed

One of the two attorneys, Leeroy Banner, was reportedly fired. That's what we reported on Tuesday night based on information from our court reporter.

Bradley says this is completely false and the Ambassador never considered it, even though they had offered other options:

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"At no time did the issue arise that Ambassador Rosado was unhappy with Leeroy Banner or myself, or that... where did this word come from, that Ambassador had dismissed Leeroy Banner or asked him to come off the case? That has never, never been the case or ever happened or contemplatedâ€”that did not occur."

"The Ambassador, as we had spoken on a number of occasions, he felt comfortable having two attorneysâ€”one focusing on the actual fight head-to-head with whoever is prosecuting the matter, the other is taking notes of any matter that they did overlook in the course of the fight."

"I am here because I was surprised to know the number of people that are texting me who know of Leeroy Banner, that he's a warrior, that he's experienced, that he's capable... that what? Leeroy Banner has not been dismissed, was never asked anything to that effect."

Unannounced New Indictment Added to Rosado Case Triggered Constitutional Filing

So why was the matter adjourned on Tuesday? Well, it was because when the charges were read, a new indictment was on it which was not a part of the original charge sheetâ€”a turn of events which Bradley says also triggered the constitutional claim:

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"The trial for that matter was scheduled many weeks ago to start on Monday of this week. I think close to Monday we learned that it would be in the afternoon and not the morning as we had thought. Leeroy Banner was in attendance, and I think he said it was late in the afternoon it was brought to his attention that there was a new indictment to be read, which would include an additional charge."

"To read a new charge to an accused person is a very serious matter, because it was the intention to read the charge and proceed with the trial. The trial itself would actually in substance start on Tuesday, when the complainant was informed that would be the day for them to appear."

"Leeroy Banner, with his many, many years of experience, clearly asked that there be an adjournmentâ€”because how can you read a new charge to an accused person and then start the trial? That is so unfair. You don't have to be laboring in the courts for an amount of time to know that is not how it is done."

Defence Attorney Clarifies Absence Due to Medical Reasons

And lead counsel Bradley says he was not present for medical reasonsâ€”which he had explained to the prosecutor on Monday:

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"I myself spoke to the prosecutor. I informed him from Monday afternoon that I myself would not be able to attend. I was in pain and I had a scheduled matter where I would go under... I think the word is anesthesia. I would die for some while, which for me is not something I look forward to."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"What is the status of your involvement in the case currently, and what do you understand is your role? Are you this vaunted lead counsel?"

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"I hate the term. I'm not used to being called any lead counsel, you know. I've always been an attorney that goes to court to defend his clients."

"I've never been a lead counsel, but the point is that perhaps in the eyes of the court there are two attorneys. Leeroy comes from the beautiful village of Lemonalâ€”he's a gentleman, he's all protocol, he isn't ragamuffin like meâ€”so I know he would be comfortable that I am there physically. I mean, I don't need to tell the public my medical business because, oh, how we love to get in one another's medical business. I am not pregnant to start with. So the point coming that, 'Oh, Dickie is the lead counsel so he should be here and what not'â€”listen, I can be on a case with Leeroy and I don't have to be there."

Dickie Says One-Day Deadline to Secure New Defense Attorney Violates Fair Trial Rights

But with Bradley out, trial Judge Nathalie Creary-Dixon instructed the Ambassador that he would need to find a new lead counsel the next day. Bradley says that's unfair because in Belize only about 20-plus attorneys practice criminal law:

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"The court gave him one day to get a new attorney. That's not how it works, that's not what we're used to, that's not our version of what is a fair trial, a fair hearing, and justice. No matter what you're accused of, you must be treated fairlyâ€”you must feel as if you are being treated fairly. You can't look at an accused person facing allegations that result in mandatory imprisonment and say, 'Well, you want two lawyers. Well, when you come in the morning, you better have your lawyer because we will go ahead with the trial.' That is not how it works."

"The point is that there appeared to be an attempt to remove the defendant, coming particularly from the Crown counsels, from the prosecutors whoâ€”I understand from other sources, the Ambassador has told me, Leeroy has told meâ€”that there is a heated, emotional, almost personal attack against the defense counsel. That is unheard of."

"The Ambassador spoke in court, Leeroy told me, and the Ambassador asked for time so that he could consult with other lawyers. His lawyer... he has, he and his family, they have their lawyer. They were told to come out of the court."

Media Barred from Courtroom as Channel 7 Files Formal Complaint to Chief Justice

And if some of the information coming out of this case this week has been unclear, it's because the media has not been allowed inside the courtroom, which prevents us from getting first-hand information. Bradley says that is a constitutional violation:

Dickie Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
"It's bigger than my opinion. The Constitution says that all trials are public. The public has a right to go into any court to listen to what is going on. We're not stupidâ€”there is an arrangement. We lawyers, the prosecutors, the magistrates, the judge knows that in fairness to persons who are victims especially of sexual violence and other mistreatment and ill-treatment, that you don't print those people's names, you don't give out information that allows them to be further hurted in the matter. Trials are public; the court has a discretion, but the court can't tell the media to stay out of a trial. They can order the media, 'I'm allowing you in, do not print the name of so-and-so and so-and-so in your stories, and be careful how you say things that might lead to that person.' If we start that, we know Trump has started that with CNN and MSNBC, and even if the midterms are bad for his party, he will still keep them out. So we don't want that here, and the Constitution of Belize guarantees the media and everybody that you are free to get information and you are free to disseminate the information."

Channel 7 News today sent a formal complaint to the Chief Justice about locking the media out of the courtroom in this high-profile criminal trial of a leading public official.

Court Marshall Submitted Allegaiton of Racial Discrimination Against High Court Judge

Tonight, 7News has learned that a formal complaint alleging verbal abuse and racial discrimination by a High Court Judge was submitted a year ago.
The complaint comes from Justice Nadine Nabie's former Court Marshal. The Marshal submitted it to the Registrar, detailing allegations of aggressive workplace behavior, culminating in an alleged racially discriminatory remark.
In an email dated November 20, 2025, the former Marshal claims that on several occasions, the judge raised her voice, shouted, and used inappropriate language in the workplaceâ€”incidents he asserts were loud enough to be overheard by attorneys and other court staff.
According to the Marshal, in October of 2025, he approached Justice Nabie in chambers to deliver a letter requesting an adjournment due to an ongoing matter before another criminal court judge.
The Marshal alleges that the judge expressed frustration by shouting at him inside her office, leaving him embarrassed as he exited in view of onlookers.
He adds, quote: "Additionally, I was deeply affected by a comment Madam Justice made in which she stated that 'black people are never good to work with.' As a Black individual, this remark made me feel hurt and demotivated..."
The Marshal states that the alleged remark reflects an underlying racial bias and negatively impacted his emotional well-being and ability to work comfortably within the judicial system.
He copied the email to senior registry officials and personal contacts, requesting that the matter be formally addressed. While the complaint was formally submitted, as we understand it, no investigation was done and it was simply registered as having been put on the record.

Efforts to obtain a response from Madam Justice Nabie and the Office of the Registrar regarding the status of this complaint are ongoing. We will provide updates as more details become available.

Five Years Later, Caribbean Court of Justice Dismisses BTB Appeal in Karen Bevans and Misty Michael Termination Cases

It's been five years, but the case of BTB versus Karen Bevans has finally come to an end. That's after the CCJ dismissed BTB's appeal this morning.
You'll remember that Bevans was terminated as Director of Tourism in 2021 under the PUP government, even though her five-year, six-figure contract was renewed two years prior. She immediately retained Dean Barrow as her attorney and sued the BTB. Misty Michael, who was the Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, did the same after she was terminated a couple of months later.
In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in Bevans' favor and ordered BTB to pay $770,000. The BTB took the matter to the Court of Appeal, which upheld the judgment. And so the BTB then went to the CCJ. And since that is the end of the line, the initial judgment stands.

So what happens next? Their attorney Dean Barrow explained more:

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"because they had both won in the Court of Appeal and the High Court, they've already collected the monies for which they sued. The court didn't give costs for this CCJ hearing, but neither Mrs. Bevans nor Mrs. Michael, as I recollect, have collected the costs that they were given by the Court of Appeal because the decision by the BTB to go to the CCJ happened so quickly that we thought we might as well wait to see how that turns out before trying to collect on the costs for the Court of Appeal. Now they can get those costs, but the big thing really is the damages that they had succeeded in getting from day one, starting with the High Court. Those damages are completely vindicated because that's important since the BTB challenged, not only the validity of the contracts for both Mrs. Michael and Mrs. Bevans, they also said that even if the contracts are found to be valid, the clause under which the BTB was forced to pay both of them the totality of the emoluments to under the unexpired portion of their contracts when they were terminated, the BTB challenged that and said, oh, that's too much. That provision amounted to a penalty. The court, the CCJ also rejected that. So everything that they were awarded in the courts below stands and in addition there will also now get the costs which were awarded but had not been collected by the Court of Appeal."

Barrow also speculated why the CCJ did not order any costs:

Dean Barrow
"the CCJ was at pains to point out that while neither Mrs. Michael nor Mrs. Bevans should suffer as a result of the mistakes that were clearly made by the BTB, there was no doubt that there were mistakes. In other words, take Mrs. Bevans, her contract was signed And executed by the chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the BTB. That was not in accordance with the Act. It should have been that the board ought to have approved those contracts before they were signed, and the CCJ said We can overcome that. But undoubtedly the way it happened amounted to an irregularity, a defect that was cured but still the CCJ took the opportunity to see the statutory bodies in Belize and in the wider Caribbean because they made the point that what happens in Belize happens pretty much throughout Caricom, and that is the fact that people are appointed to these statutory bodies by ministers, by the government of the day, and the appointees who become board members, then feel that they owe their complete loyalty to the minister who appointed them or to the government to which that minister belongs. Court of appeals said that's not so."

While Barrow, Darinka MuÃ±oz, and Nigel Ebanks represented the respondents, Eamon Courtenay and Iliana Swift represented BTB.

Dean Barrow Questions Costly Taxpayer-Funded Litigation Following CCJ Ruling

But after five years and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars later, could all of this have been avoided? Barrow believes so:

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"I think that the current administration, they ought to have left well enough alone. After the judgment at first instance, the judge at that time, the Canadian lady, Justice Chabot, she gave a very good judgment. And again, from there it was conceded that the board didn't follow the procedure strictly. But what was the overriding factor was the fact that, notwithstanding that the appointments weren't made according to the strict rigor and tenor of the provisions in the Act, these people got the appointments, started working. The board, which did not originally make the appointments, ratified the contracts that they were given, and they performed, in one case for two years and another case for a year and a half. And then all of a suddenâ€”and especially in the case of Mrs. Bevans, she had her lawsuit against the Prime Minister for libelâ€”there it was clear that she was being terminated because of politics. And perhaps fair enough to start with, but you try a thing, the government does, and the court says, 'No, you need to pay this lady.' I think it should have stopped there. It didn'tâ€”they went to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal reaffirmed the position. Well then, my God, if you didn't stop at first instance, stop after the Court of Appeal, because you're spending money, you're spending money, you're spending taxpayers' money to pursue Mrs. Bevans and Mrs. Michael. They didn't stop there; they went to the CCJ. So more money has been spent, when in fact I think the government ought to have said a long time ago, 'Well, let it be. Let's move on.'"

Michael received $200,000 in damages, remuneration, and benefits.

Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow Comments on PUP Cabinet Challenges and UDP Opposition Readiness

And switching subjects, as a former prime minister, we asked Barrow his thoughts on the current administration and its cascade of crises.
We asked Barrow specifically about PM BriceÃ±o having to juggle ministers and CEOsâ€”pulling players from deep down the bench while others remain sidelined under a cloud of corruption.

Barrow sympathized with BriceÃ±o, but added that this level of difficulty he is facing is almost unprecedented:

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"there are always problems, it would be, in fact, dishonest of me to pretend that I didn't face some of the same issues, the degree though which Prime Minister Briceno is experiencing difficulty is unprecedented or if not unprecedented We haven't seen, this kind of fracturing, this kind of a disconnect for a long time. But What I think is a real tragedy or the tragedy is twofold, that there are, these huge cracks in the current administration and that a lot of the issues have to do with dishonesty, with ministers not keeping their oath to the people. And so, from the point of view of the guardrails, if there are guardrails and formally, I think we could all agree there are. But the guardrails aren't working. And again, I don't want to be a hypocrite, when I was there for people in my cabinet that similarly did not always play by the rules, were not always upfront and honest and straight, but"

"Again the degree that we're witnessing now I repeat has not been seen for a long, long time. But I certainly want to wish the Prime Minister well in trying to get hold once more of his cabinet and trying to whip people into line. Because what this amounts to is an underlining of the fact that there is not currently good governance in this country. Maybe good governance was always an illusion and a chimera, but certainly this seems to represent a new low. And so I wish the Prime Minister well in trying to sort it out."

But Barrow also lamented the state of his own party. He explained that the UDP has an opportunity to capitalize on the PUP's slew of setbacksâ€”and, for the sake of democracy, he hopes they can do so:

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"What even more, what is even more important is that I wish that my party, the party that I led for so long can use this opportunity, The fact that there is public outcry against what is happening and that people are recognizing that there is a need for good governance. I wish that the United Democratic Party will be able to take advantage of this, to strengthen its own efforts at trying to deepen our democracy by trying to act as a proper constitutional check and balance against the incumbents. And I wish that as the leadership of my party attempts this, that it will get support from the public, from regular folk, but also from those in the society that are well-off, that are reaping great benefits, that are becoming even richer and perhaps to a large extent by virtue of their own hard work and their entrepreneurial spirit and so on, But I wish that those people would see that It cannot be a good thing when the opposition is hobbled and when, therefore, the government of the day believes that it can act with impunity, that it has political immunity, that it is inoculated against any kind of blowback or any serious blowback, such as would threaten their electoral chances."

"And I dearly hope that this would take place, not because I want my party to look good for the sake of our country, our democracy. I am a UDP, but first and foremost, I am a Belizean."

Barrow Says PUP Third Term Likely Amid Opposition Division

And Barrow added that if things continue the way they're going, he expects the PUP will win at the polls in the next general election.

The former PM explained that he doesn't want Belize to become a one-party state, and he doesn't believe any party should be in power for an excessive number of years. However, he said that there's a good chance BriceÃ±o will be able to match his three-term record:

Reporter
"Mr. Briceno has announced that he is running for a third term. Do you have any concern that he may match your streak as the only post independence Prime Minister to achieve three terms?"

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"Well, if he does run the way things are going, it looks like he will win again. And that's why I come back to my point that he will win despite the fact that if you look at things objectively, you might say he has no business winning again, too much is happening within the PUP. But on the other hand, for whatever reasons, and this is not any kind of a criticism of my party, and certainly not of the leadership of my party. I believe Mrs. Tracy Panton is making every effort to lead from the front, but for all sorts of objective reasons, We have not yet gelled as a as a proper, forceful opposition. So, one of the prices that we're paying for that is that indeed, if the good Mr Briceno decides he would run again as things now stand, he will win again. And I think that's not how it ought to be. Forget for a moment my assessment of the job that Prime Minister Briceno is doing personally, look only at the fact that"

Dean Barrow
"So many ministers have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. So many ministers have been caught doing things that are grossly wrong. That should normally mean that the Peoples United Party will pay a price at the polls at the next election. But as things now stand, given the unfortunate lack of muscularity, I repeat, not necessarily the fault of anybody. But given that objectively, there's this lack of muscularity on the part of the opposition, I'm afraid that too many people are now beginning to reconcile themselves to the prospect of a third term for the PUP."

Former PM Raises Concerns Over U.S. Involvement and Guatemalan Airspace Incursion

We also asked Barrow his views on the recent airspace incursion by the Guatemalan military, and the supposed regional anti-narcotics operations that Belize wasn't invited to participate in.

He explained that it raises alarm bells as to whether the U.S. was involved in the mission and deliberately chose not to include Belize. Here's how he put it:

Reporter
"what do you think of the recent moves by the Guatemalan military in terms of the airspace incursion, especially after it was reinforced by the Guatemalan president in his press conference, and then the explanation that it was an anti-narcotics operation that did not include Belize."

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"Well, I don't think that's any excuse. And I think something like that happening is absolutely unfortunate. It's regrettable. It constitutes a clear and present danger to our national security. Because who's to say if they get away with it once, that it won't happen again? I don't know enough. And so I don't want to say things which are not certain, and that can get me in trouble. But the moment I hear anti-narcotics, I think that these anti-narcotics missions are not isolated exercises on the part of any one country. I always think that the United States is somehow involved. And if that is the case here, then it is extremely regrettable that such an operation, if it was blessed by the U.S. and if it was sponsored by the U.S., and if the U.S. participated in it, that such an operation could have taken place without the involvement of Belize is absolutely the bad news. That should not happen again and our government should be very firm in pressing that particular case to the US."

Dean Barrow Has No Problem with Special Envoy Rossana Briceño's Diplomatic Visit to Guatemala

So thenâ€”what does Barrow think of Rossana BriceÃ±o's trip to Guatemala City on the same day that the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry was at the UN characterizing her husband as a liar?

He said he saw no issue with it:

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"I wouldn't criticize her at all. No, no, lots of people do. But to me, diplomacy must coexist. Even with a firm reaction to what Belize sees as a violation of its sovereignty. I don't think we've reached the point where Mrs. Briceno ought to have felt herself absolutely prevented from attending a conference in Guatemala, the pencil of God has no eraser. We're geographic neighbors and anything that can serve to help to keep a lid on the tension that always simmers because of the unfair and unfounded Guatemalan claim is helpful. Of course, there's a limit to how far you go. If they were a dropping bombs, then clearly Mrs Briceno would have had no right at any conference in Guatemala City. But, in the circumstances, and I'm not sure that when she went, she knew of the alleged violation of our airspace. So I would not join in any kind of condemnation of her attendance at that meeting. I refuse to do that."

Former PM Offers Prime Minister Briceño Calm Counsel Following Profane Public Outburst

But while he didn't see a problem with Rossana BriceÃ±o's trip, he did see one with her husband's use of profanity. We asked Barrow about the colorful language the PM used in an interview with us last week. He offered the PM some advice:

Reporter
"when we questioned the Prime Minister about it, during the interview, he used profanity directed at Mr. Vasquez. I know that as a prime minister, maybe you, as a former prime minister, you relate to the exasperation, especially when dealing with certain journalists. What do you think of his use of the profanity and what counsel would you offer him?"

Dean Barrow, Attorney
"Absolutely out of order. I like John Briceno. And I wish him well. But I have no kind of personal animus where he's concerned at all, At all. And I say that in complete honesty. But, Lord, you can't allow your temper to get the better of you In that sort of a way. Maybe he's Influenced by What he sees is happening in North America. And far be it from me to criticize the good president of the United States, who seems to be fond of expletives and cursing on television, but I don't think that is something to be emulated. Maybe he can get away with it. He has his imperium. We are a small country, and we, I think, have always tried to govern ourselves by reference to certain mores. And, I think that was a most unfortunate incident. I don't think the Prime Minister came off looking for anything other than bad, and I would hope that he would, And if I know him, he will, But he will make a commitment to himself, to the media and to the public that it won't happen again."

Newly Appointed Super-Minister Michel Chebat Expresses Gratitude to Prime Minister

As we've been reporting, Michel Chebat is a new super-minister with multiple weighty portfolios and two CEOs to service them.
Today, he posted a statement expressing gratitude to the PM for the Cabinet upgrade. He says, quote: "I am grateful to the Prime Minister for the confidence placed in me and for the opportunity to serve the people of Belize in this new capacity. I accept these responsibilities with a clear understanding of their importance to the security, stability and continued development of our nation." End quote.
He adds, quote: "In the coming days, I will be meeting with the leadership and personnel across the respective portfolios, reviewing key priorities and gaining a full appreciation of both the challenges and opportunities." End quote.

Chebat makes no mention of his predecessor Julius Espat, and there's no indication he will be picking up any handing-over notes from him.

Ministry of Human Development Stakeholders Meet Ahead of Global Summit on Ending Child Violence

As Belize prepares to take the global stage on child protection, local leaders are coming together to refine the national strategy. Next month, representatives will head to the Philippines for the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children.

Ahead of that summit, the Ministry of Human Development met with key stakeholders today to sharpen local solutions. Jomarie Lanza has the details:

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"We are preparing our position as a country in conjunction with all the other line ministries with partners and civil society, and of course young people, so that we can go to Manila with a clear idea, a clear plan of what it is that we intend to do. We have to take a good look at the commitments we made at the last conference in BogotÃ¡ to see what we were able to accomplish and to then ensure that we do the same and make a commitment that we can measure, a commitment that is realistic and attainable and one where we all agree that that is the priority. So that is what we are hoping to come together and really put together that document that then the delegation puts forward as the country position in Manila on the 18th and the 19th of November."

Thea Garcia Ramirez
"We have some gaps that we still have to work on. Schoolsâ€”it is not enshrined in law yet that schools have to report, you know, neglect and abuse, and we are hoping to work on that, for example. That is a significant gap. We are not at a 100% of training with teachers; we are only at 80%, which is significant, but there is still a significant 20% gap. So these are things that we have. In the last... 2025, we had 939 or 36 cases of reports of abuseâ€”physical abuse and neglected childrenâ€”but we noted that seven out of 10 are against girls. So that is also something that we have to keep working with, and those are all measures... we have significant gaps again, and we still have a problem when it comes to neglect, physical abuse of children. We are working towards that, but it is not a one-ministry job; it is work that entails various ministries, various partners."

Sajid Ali, UNICEF Representative for Belize
"So the challenges are many because violence is happening at home, in schools, in communities, and also online. So there are many beginning factors that need to be put in place, and I think the Government of Belize is doing a lot. I think parenting is something, and caregiving, and I think building capacity and the role of a parentâ€”I think you would have heard the Minister talk about it, it is not just a job of a mother, but also of a father and what role they play. And then I would say we have also now... legislation is there on child marriage age, and what we need to make sure is that violence... the percentage of violence that children face has to go down, and we need to keep monitoring that. It is about 63% of children that face violence, some form, in Belize. And it is mostly boys who are facing that, so we got this data through the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. And it has gone down a bit since the last survey, but it is still something very high that needs to be looked at. I think many measures need to be put into place. If there are more strict measures taken for those who are committing these crimes... sometimes you can talk about arrest rates versus conviction rates and how that balance needs to be there. And we do want to make sure children stay in school, and children are safe everywhere that they go, to ensure that schools are safer, and to make sure... UNICEF's job is to bring everything togetherâ€”education, health, and child protection as oneâ€”so that is where our role comes in."

Ministry Explores New Legislative Protections Against Online Cyber Harms Targeting Children

Protecting children online is another aspect the Ministry is looking at. What happens when children become victims of a cybercrime? It happens more often than we think, and the Minister says they will also take steps to look at a new law that offers protection in such cases:

Reporter
"What more needs to be done to address technology-facilitated harm of children?"

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development
"I think definitely our laws need to be revised. I think something that has recently been done and has passed the Senate, for instance, is the revised bill for intimate partner domestic violence 2026, and so that includes and contemplates cyberbullying and technology-led abuse. And so that is one of the things that has come out, but we still need more revision. We have a lot of laws on the books that really no longer serve 2026, living in 2026, so we need to continue revising, we need to keep updating, and we need to keep up with what is going on."

Human Development Minister Declines Position on Potential Abortion Law Reforms

Meanwhile, Minister Garcia is staying tight-lipped on where she stands regarding potential abortion law reform. When questioned today about growing public concerns, the Minister declined to reveal her personal position, maintaining that there is currently no concrete proposal on the table for discussion:

Reporter
"So are you pro-choice in terms of abortion? Can you explain your decision?"

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development
"My decision?"

Reporter
"Your position, I would sayâ€”your position on abortion law reform."

Thea Garcia Ramirez
"We are not debating and we are not really speaking about abortion here. We are speaking about child protection, and we are speaking about violence against children. So that discussion, and that will have to be addressed at another time."

Reporter
"So then can we schedule an interview with you to discuss those issues? I mean, this is what normally happens when the media meets up with a minister. Should respond to the public, in essence."

Thea Garcia Ramirez
"Well, you want my personal opinion? Because there is no position taken by Government, and I don't see any revision in legislature for abortion at this point in time. So until I have something concrete that you need a response with, then I would be able to do that. But for right now... I mean, my favorite color is blue, obviously, and there is a bunch of other questions you can ask me, but we don't have anything..."

Reporter
"Then how do you foresee this matter being addressed? Because obviously the churches oppose pro-choice. Do you think there should be a referendum on it?"

Thea Garcia Ramirez
"I don't see any... I don't see any evidence to support what you have said. I mean, I don't know what we are debating. I don't see any... I see a lot on social media, but nothing has come to my attention where we are discussing abortion, pro-choice, or pro-life. And until that comes to us in a formal and concrete matter, then I think Government and I think Cabinet will sit down and discuss that, and we will have one cohesive, coherent decision to put forward. And until that time, that is my answer."

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