And while the government duly notified the Opposition Leader - which qualifies as consultation - the UDP Leader has come out against Justice Blenman's appointment.
He says that it should have been Justice Michelle Arana, who has been acting in that role for the past two years to have gotten the job. Today Shyne Barrow told us via Zoom that it's a huge setback for Belize that a foreigner was chosen to fill the role:
Hon. Shyne Barrow - Leader of the Opposition
"The opposition United Democratic Party vehemently objects to this move by the Briceno Administration to overlook and bypass our very qualified Acting Chief Justice who has done an exemplary job in her acting capacity for the last two years. It is our view that she has been distinguished in her service for the fourteen years that she served as justice on the Supreme Court before being appointed acting Chief Justice. So we see absolutely no reason that we had to go to a foreign national when we have an amply qualified, indigenous, Garifuna woman that is there doing a fantastic job and continues to do a fantastic job. It is a tremendous setback for indigenous rights, equal rights, our national morale and pride and just evolution and progress as a nation, what type of message are we sending to our population when you work as hard as you possibly can, you have a long career, that has been dedicated to your profession and then we look past you. That is not the Belize that I want. The same way that we celebrate the Maya heritage and the accomplishment of having the Governor General as the first indigenous Governor General throughout the commonwealth, I find that it should be equally historical and exciting and that should have driven the considerations of the prime minister in making the decision. Again, I believe it has nothing to do with race and ethnicity in comparison to qualification. So it is not as if I am saying that Justice Arana qualifies because she is a Garifuna or an indigenous or a woman. I am saying that she is super qualified so why not, with all of the other factors, seize this historic moment that not only elevates a qualified Belizean but does so much for all of these other groups."
But the Government has clarified that Justice Arana didn't apply for the post. A release notes that of the eight applicants they received, none of them were Belizean.
The release adds that the Bar Association appointed a panel of senior members to vet the eight applicants. It was then up to the PM to make his decision. He did so - the release says - Based on Justice Blenman's qualifications, experience, and her interview.
Meanwhile, the current Acting Chief Justice will remain in the position until Blenman's appointment, after which Justice Arana will be elevated to the Court of Appeal.
We are told that Justice Arana likely did not apply for the post because she knew that government was decidedly not inclined to appoint her.
