Shyne Barrow Threatens Legal Action Against 7News

Former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow has issued a formal demand for retraction and apology from 7News Belize, following what he claims is a defamatory report regarding the surrender of his diplomatic passport.

Through his legal representatives, WA Lindo LLP, Barrow has alleged that the news station, led by Jules Vasquez, published factually incorrect statements that falsely suggested he had resisted returning his diplomatic passport to the Government of Belize.

The report in question, aired on March 26 and later posted on 7News Belize’s Facebook page under the headline “GOB Says to Shyne, ‘Game Over’, Yanks Diplomatic Passport”, claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had instructed Barrow to return his diplomatic passport but that he had shown reluctance in complying.

However, Barrow’s attorneys contend that he had already returned the document earlier that morning, at approximately 10:51 a.m., hours before the news report was published. The letter, addressed to Vasquez and Tropical Vision Limited (the parent company of 7News), argues that the report’s wording was designed to tarnish Barrow’s reputation, portraying him as defiant and unwilling to comply with government regulations.

In their letter, WA Lindo LLP demanded that 7News:

1. Remove the article from all social media platforms.
2. Issue a retraction and public apology on both its Facebook page and nightly newscast.
3. Pay damages to Barrow for reputational harm.
4. Refrain from making similar allegations regarding his diplomatic passport in the future.

The letter warns that failure to comply will result in defamation proceedings against the news station.

7News reported on Thursday night that Barow returned his diplomatic passport.