By: Omar Silva

Editor/Publisher: National Perspective Bz – Digital 2025

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Wednesday 5th March 2025

The People's United Party (PUP) government, led by Prime Minister John Briceño, has increasingly demonstrated a pattern of political expediency over principled governance. Nowhere is this more evident than in the administration’s abrupt pivot away from long-standing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Courtenay, now stepping in as the government’s de facto damage control officer, has attempted to justify this shift. But no amount of polished rhetoric can erase the blatant hypocrisy underlying the government’s foreign policy decisions.

The Betrayal of the Palestinian Cause

For decades, Belize stood firmly in support of Palestine’s right to self-determination, aligning itself with international movements advocating for justice in the region. However, under Briceño’s leadership, the PUP has surrendered its principles in favor of appeasing geopolitical power players. The government’s silence on Israeli aggression, combined with diplomatic manoeuvring to distance itself from Palestine, speaks volumes.

In a weak attempt to justify this betrayal, Eamon Courtenay has downplayed Belize’s previous commitments, presenting the government’s pivot as a necessary shift in global diplomacy. The reality? Political convenience over moral obligation.

Francis Fonseca: The Minister of Everything, Master of None

The current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, is tasked not just with foreign policy but also with overseeing foreign trade, education, culture, science, and technology—an overwhelming portfolio that has rendered him ineffective in all sectors. His appointment has led to growing concerns that Belize’s foreign policy is now dictated by external pressures rather than thoughtful, strategic engagement.

With his divided focus, it is no surprise that Belize’s international stance has become muddled and contradictory. Under Fonseca, Belize’s diplomatic voice has become nothing more than an echo chamber for Western interests, abandoning alliances that were once rooted in shared struggles for sovereignty and self-determination.

The Government’s Inconsistent Foreign Policy

This recent betrayal is not an isolated incident. The Briceño administration has shown alarming inconsistency on other critical foreign policy matters, including:

Voting Patterns at the UN: Belize has flip-flopped on key resolutions, raising questions about whether its votes are shaped by genuine diplomatic principles or backroom deals with powerful nations.

Silence on Regional Issues: The government has remained notably quiet on the deteriorating situation in Haiti and U.S. interventions in Latin America, despite previously advocating for sovereignty and non-intervention.

Economic Deals at the Expense of Ethics: Belize has been quick to accept financial aid and investments that come with strings attached, prioritizing short-term economic gains over standing firm on human rights and international justice.

Eamon Courtenay’s Spin vs. Reality

As Leader of Government Business in the Senate and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay has become the government’s chief apologist. His justification for Belize’s foreign policy shifts relies on vague diplomatic reasoning and convenient reinterpretations of history.

However, Belizeans should not be fooled. The PUP’s foreign policy is no longer rooted in the values it once championed—it is now dictated by the political winds of the moment. Courtenay’s attempts to smooth over these contradictions only highlight how far the administration has strayed from its past commitments.

The Consequences of Belize’s Hypocrisy

By abandoning principled stances for political expediency, Belize risks losing credibility on the world stage. If a nation’s foreign policy is dictated by shifting alliances rather than consistent moral and strategic values, it quickly finds itself isolated, untrusted, and vulnerable to coercion.

Furthermore, the hypocrisy of the Briceño administration erodes public confidence. If the government is willing to betray one of its longest-standing foreign policy positions, what else is it willing to compromise for political convenience?

A Call for Accountability

Belizeans must demand a coherent, independent foreign policy—one that does not waver under pressure or serve the interests of a select few. The PUP government, and particularly Francis Fonseca, must be held accountable for the reckless abandonment of diplomatic principles. The role of Foreign Affairs Minister should be a focused position, not an afterthought in an overloaded portfolio.

The world is watching, and history will judge whether Belize chose to stand on the side of justice—or sold out its principles for political expediency.