Former Ombudsman Major Herman Gilbert Swaso has launched a sweeping constitutional lawsuit against the Attorney General of Belize. Swaso alleges that the government systematically underpaid him during his tenure and ultimately forced him out of office in retaliation for a ruling against the Attorney General.
According to court filings by his attorney Anand Ramlogan, Major Swaso's troubles culminated in December 2025, just days before his three-year term was set to expire. In his affidavit, Swaso details a December 22, 2025, meeting with Henry Usher, the Minister of the Public Service and Chairman of the PUP at the Holy Redeemer Credit Union office.
Swaso states that Minister Usher explicitly raised concerns regarding an adverse Freedom of Information Act review ruling Swaso had issued against the government. That ruling recommended the disclosure of how much taxpayer dollars were used to pay private attorneys and law firms in the redistricting case.
Swaso testifies that during the meeting, Usher told him that "he was concerned about the adverse ruling" which the Ombudsman had made against the government. Swaso alleges that Usher also leveled a "false and baseless" allegation that the Ombudsman did not pen his own decision letter.
Two days later Swaso received notice that his contract was not being renewed
Today, via Zoom Swaso told us that the idepndence of the Ombudsman's office is under attack:
Gilbert Swaso, Former Ombudsman
"The reason why this case is filed is particularly because the, in my view, the independence of a constitutional office is under direct attack. And if it is then that a person in high office seeking alignment with the law and with the Constitution is disregarded and disrespected, then what will happen to the likely grassroots individual?"
"So their rights will also be trampled upon to me, given the decision that I had made based on my loyalty to the Constitution and to the law. And also there was this case which I investigated regarding the shooting in the prison."
"Then there was also issues regarding alleged human trafficking by senior government officials. Several people were sort of avoiding answering the Ombudsman in relation to that case as well. So in my humble view now, looking back, I believe that it appears to be intentional not to renew me, particularly because they may be thinking me, I don't, I cannot think for the government or representatives of the government, that by me not being office, that perhaps those cases will take a sideline and will not reappear again. Perhaps. So it was reasonable to assume at the time that because there were some active, sensitive cases that it would have been renewed."
"So it appears to me that the independence of the office is under severe threat."
Jules Vasquez
"So the Ombudsman is a person, the authority, to protect citizens from abuse by authorities."
Gilbert Swaso, Former Ombudsman
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez
"And you yourself have become a victim of that kind of abuse."
Gilbert Swaso, Former Ombudsman
"Yes, I would say so."
Swaso's last day as Ombudsman was Decemeber 31, 2025.
Beyond what he felt was a retaliatory non-renewal, Swaso's lawsuit reveals that throughout his entire three-year tenure, he was denied the remuneration which was legally assigned to his post.
Under the Ombudsman Act, the law dictates that the Ombudsman's salary must not be less than a judge's salary.
But that's $175,000 per annum, tax-free. Yet, the government was paying Swaso only $80,000 per annum, fully taxed.
In his suit, he is demanding full back-pay for the major salary shortfall he suffered while serving in office.
