And in that same very busy May of last year, the Association of Concerned Belizeans got an injunction barring government from doing just that, using public funds to pay the Universal debt. And the Venezuela money, gifted to the Belizean people and legally compelled to go into the consolidated fund is just that. So then, did the secret January payment violate the Supreme Court injunction? We yesterday asked the Prime Minister, who was then co-counsel for the Association of Concerned Belizeans.
Jules Vasquez,
So would payment have been a violation of this May injunction?
Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“I am no longer wearing a lawyer’s hat. You will have to refer to who was then my co-counsel. I really, these things require some study. I don’t want to comment.”
Jules Vasquez,
But you will agree there is a standing injunction.
Dean Barrow,
“As far as I know it has not been lifted.”
Jules Vasquez,
If the injunction is still standing as Miss Lois Young Barrow has indicated to me, will this be then a violation? Would the payment in your mind be a violation of an injunction?
Dean Barrow,
“On the face of it, it would seem that way but again lawyers would have to look at it.”
And while Barrow is uncertain, it is the considered view of the ACB that the injunction remains in effect and prevents the legal use of public funds to settle the debt. It’s a case that will continue to unfold and one we will follow closely.
