Coye Ignores Committee Member’s Questions 

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Christopher Coye, appeared before the Senate Special Select Committee this morning. He did so only to read a written statement.

Minister Coye told the committee that he received a copy of the definitive agreement in early 2023. He said the government then sought legal opinions from both Ben Juratowitch and Douglas Mendes regarding the agreement’s validity. Based on the legal advice provided, a cabinet paper and draft bill were prepared. The bill was shared with the Ministry of Tourism and other relevant stakeholders, undergoing several iterations following their feedback. The paper and bill were presented to Cabinet in mid-May 2023 after a thorough review and edits by Senior Counsel Mendes, aligned with his legal opinion. Cabinet ultimately did not approve the paper.

“Those are the facts with which I am familiar, and I have no further evidence to give,” Coye added.

Minister Coye expressed that, from a development perspective, Belize has lost when it comes to the project. He said there has been no foreign investment or capital inflow, no employment generated, and no foreign exchange earned. “There has been no economic diversification in this area. In fact, the cruise tourism product has experienced degeneration, not modernization. While overnight tourism has been performing tremendously, cruise tourist arrivals continue to fall. Unless a modern cruise port is built soon, the ships and their passengers will just pass us by,” he added.

“While Belize has lost, there have been beneficiaries. Those who sold lands to the portico entity enjoyed the proceeds of sale. Then, there are certain foreign-funded NGOs who in fact raise money on the backs of their purported achievements for conservation while at the same time halting development opportunities to the detriment of our people. The scuttling of such a project of this nature could very well be seen as a victory for those certain special interests. As much as conservation is a national priority, it should never be that nature-positive conservation should have priority over people—positive, sustainable human development. There is no doubt that the Senate or any committee of the Senate has the powers to conduct enquiries and investigations on any matter of public interest or importance at the same time, just as with any other authority that enjoys powers and discretions, those powers of the Senate can be abused. The Senate and any committee thereof must be resolutely sure not to abuse their powers or be manipulated into abusing their powers to serve third-party special interests, including foreign interests, but rather to act reasonably and judiciously in the public interest of Belize and its citizenry alone. Thank you.”

Minister Coye then told the committee that he would be excusing himself. “That’s the extent of the statement I have to give today and the evidence that is being provided to this committee.”

Minister Coye then got up to leave, and while he was doing so, committee member Glenfield Denison attempted to ask Coye a few questions.

“Minister, the people of Belize would like to ask you a few questions. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is especially… want to ask you a question, sir. Sir, the salaries that you receive from the people…”

Coye exited the room.

The committee is investigating all documents, communications, and processes related to the signing of the “Definitive Agreement” between the Government of Belize and Portico Enterprises Limited (Port of Magical Belize) on October 1, 2020. Additionally, it is examining how the agreement and related draft legislation were presented to Cabinet in a confidential memo dated May 15, 2023.

Coye appeared with his attorney, SC Eamon Courtenay.