By Belize Live News Staff: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar Panton has called on the Briceño Administration to come clean with the Belizean people following today’s signing of the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States.
The agreement, which outlines cooperation between both countries in processing asylum and protection requests, was signed in Belmopan by Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Katharine Beamer.
While the Government says the deal is grounded in humanitarian principles and includes strict safeguards, the Opposition is raising concerns about the lack of public consultation and full disclosure on its details.
In a statement posted to her official Facebook page, Panton expressed disappointment in how the agreement was handled.
“We needed fair and transparent consultations on a matter of this magnitude. We need full disclosure,” she wrote. “We must ensure that the interests of Belize and Belizeans are always protected.”
The Opposition Leader’s remarks come amid growing public debate on the implications of the agreement, which gives Belize authority to process asylum claims but also allows for possible transfers of migrants under specific conditions.
The government maintains that Belize retains full control over such transfers and that no person deemed a security threat will be allowed to enter or stay in the country. The agreement will take effect only after Senate ratification and will initially last for two years.
