One topic on which the Opposition Leader was much more forthcoming was his public attack on Prime Minister John Briceno, who made waves at the Summit of the Americas, which was held last week in Los Angeles.
As all the world now knows, the Prime Minister openly criticized the US decision as hosts not to invite the leaders of Cuba and Venezuela to the Summit. His call for the inclusion of all countries in the regional forum was made in the presence of US President Joe Biden and Vice-President, Kamala Harris, who chaired the session.
According to the Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister could have chosen many other topics that are directly relevant to Belize and the other CARICOM nations. But, by Barrow's reading, Briceno chose to launch a protest for dictatorships. Here is that part of the today's press conference:
Moses "Shyne" Barrow - Leader of Opposition
"When I hear the Prime Minister using the Summit of Americas, not to talk about inflation, not to talk about the looming recession that may hit the biggest economy in the world very soon, not to talk about de-risking and demanding that a commitment be made that these large banks in America [to] not walk away from Belize, not talking about the highest fuel prices that we've had, due to the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. None of this has been raised by the Prime Minister at the Summit of Americas. Instead, the prime minister took the opportunity to protest for dictatorships."
Dale Anthony McDougal - Love News
"You called the prime minister's comments 'a protest for dictatorships'. I'm interested in knowing how those that square off. Let's say that the government - the tide changes tomorrow; You become the prime minister. We have diplomatic relations with both Cuba and Venezuela, strong diplomatic ties. You've called them dictatorships. How does that square off?"
Moses "Shyne" Barrow
"Diplomatic protocol does not require a wholesale acceptance of the policies of any government that Belize has diplomatic relations with. I believe in diversity. This is democracy, the fact that Paul could give commentary for the PUP, and I could respond. And Daniel could like 20 questions on the sideline with no mic, this is democracy. But I have a problem with the dictatorships, as a Leader of the Opposition. I am not saying that as Prime Minister, I will not have diplomatic relations with Cuba or Venezuela, but that will not be a wholesale relationship that, OK, you give Petrocaribe, you give medical scholarships, and I will say, you know, human rights violations don't matter; democracy doesn't matter."
