For weeks now, you've been hearing about G.O.B.'s effort to curtail the entrance and prevent the movements of Haitians attempting to transit through Belize.
It's controversial because Haitians are CARICOM citizens, our regional neighbours who should be granted free movement through Belize and any other Caribbean territory - as well as a 6 month stay without needing a visa.
Still, given the state of that nation and the desperation of its citizens to reach the US, Belize's immigration authorities are trying to stop human smuggling operations involving Haitians form moving through Belize.
It's an issue that the Press put to the PM this evening, and he admitted that when it comes to the rules the U.S. has laid out, Belize has to toe the line.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, yes we did bring it up that it is something of concern for us and whilst Hatti has become a part, well is a part of CARICOM and by the signing or being a member of CARICOM there is a free movement of people, so they do not require a visa, but. We raised the concern because then, because when they come many of them are trying to go to the United States and we don't want the United States to be able to accuse us of uh, human trafficking so we have to handle that very carefully, um, and so we are in the process, the Minister of immigration is coming up with some sort of, some recommendations to Cabinet as to how best we can control, curtail and stop that movement."
Reporter:
"What do you say to the comment that as governments, not only Belize but you are acting as an arm of the U.S. government because it's their problem in essence?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well it's the big people that make the rules, I mean and yes it is their problem but the United States congress has passed laws saying that they believe that if a country is facilitating, um, human trafficking then we can be sanctioned and it's something that we simply cannot afford, one, secondly, it is the right thing to do. We should do everything possible to stop human trafficking. When you see how they take advantage of women and children it breaks your heart so it is the right thing to do."
