Moses "Shyne" Barrow calls out Belizean government over legal opinions and announces legal action against Prime Minister

By: Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Belize City: Monday 11th July 2023

The Leader of the Opposition, Moses "Shyne" Barrow, has intensified his scrutiny of the Belize government's handling of the Definitive Agreement controversy. Barrow raised concerns about the administration's decision to seek a second legal opinion from Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, stating that it cost the government a staggering $300,000. He questioned why the government would go beyond the initial legal opinion of Belize's lead counsel, King's Counsel Ben Juratowitch, who is representing the country in the case against Guatemala at the International Court of Justice (I.C.J.).

Barrow asserted, "If we don't have confidence in Juratowitch, who is an esteemed preeminent international lawyer defending our territorial integrity, then something is terribly wrong." Citing a trusted source, he disclosed that Juratowitch's opinion cost approximately $100,000, while Mendes' opinion cost around $50,000.

The Opposition Leader further criticized the government's alleged intent to pass the Definitive Agreement into law without sufficient scrutiny. Barrow emphasized that the opposition had expected the government to hold a press conference immediately upon discovering the agreement, condemning the UDP (United Democratic Party) and its representatives involved. Barrow also claimed that the United Democratic Party intends to file a lawsuit against Prime Minister John Briceño, using the same tort invoked by Waterloo in their lawsuit against former Minister Erwin Contreras for misfeasance in public office related to the Definitive Agreement.

Addressing concerns about a Senate inquiry into the matter, Barrow dismissed the notion that it was a "dead horse," as some government officials had suggested. He highlighted the support from various social partners, including churches, unions, NGOs, and the Chamber of Commerce, who advocated for the Senate inquiry. Barrow emphasized the need to understand why the current administration embraced what they labeled a corrupt UDP agreement, suggesting a conspiracy to pass it into legislation.

In a related development, former Minister Erwin Contreras is facing a ten million dollar lawsuit filed by Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited, Belize Cruise Development Limited, and Belize Logistics Terminal Limited. The claimants allege misfeasance in public office by Contreras due to his unauthorized and secretive signing of the Definitive Agreement. The claimants, who planned to develop a cruise and cargo expansion project at the Port of Belize Limited, contend that Contreras granted tax and concessions without lawful authority. They seek ten million dollars in special damages and highlight the loss of support from Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited, impacting their project's potential.

Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed the validity of bringing a misfeasance claim against Contreras in court, referring to it as a private tort. While the legal implications are yet to be determined, Barrow clarified that the United Democratic Party has confidence in holding its members accountable, distancing itself from corruption.

As the Definitive Agreement controversy unfolds, the opposition's scrutiny and the impending legal actions against high-ranking officials continue to captivate public attention. The Senate inquiry holds the promise of shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the agreement and the involvement of former UDP ministers. The Belizean public eagerly awaits the unravelling of this complex issue that has shaken the political landscape.