By Belize Live News Staff: Amid growing concerns over fraudulent nationality documents, the United Democratic Party (UDP) is urging an independent inquiry into Belize’s Vital Statistics Unit. This follows revelations of widespread birth certificate fraud, which the UDP warns could undermine the country’s national security and electoral integrity.
The UDP alleges that fake birth certificates have facilitated the issuance of Belizean passports and social security cards to unqualified foreign nationals. According to their press release, at least 80 birth certificates in Corozal alone have been compromised, with serial numbers flagged for potential fraud.
One case involves an American national who allegedly used a fraudulent birth certificate to obtain other nationality documents. The individual was deported without an investigation into the source of the forgery, leading the UDP to suspect state-sanctioned collusion. The party claims this reflects a broader pattern of corruption, with birth certificates being issued in a decentralized and unregulated manner.
As Belize navigates a national amnesty program and prepares for its next General Election, the UDP stresses the urgency of safeguarding the country’s nationality system. The party is calling on social partners and civil society to support an independent commission’s audit of critical government departments, emphasizing that the integrity of Belize’s democratic institutions is at stake.
