By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño has defended his government’s decision to retain Ambassador Alexis Rosado as part of Belize’s legal team before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), despite the serious criminal charges against the veteran diplomat.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Briceño acknowledged that the allegations against Rosado could raise concerns but maintained that removing him at this critical stage of Belize’s territorial cases would not serve the country’s interests.
“I’m not in any way trying to minimize the severity of the accusations,” Briceño said, emphasizing that Rosado remains innocent until proven guilty under Belizean law.
The Prime Minister pointed to the approaching ICJ hearings involving Guatemala in February and Honduras in March, arguing that continuity and experience are essential as Belize prepares to defend its sovereignty.
He noted that Rosado has spent decades working on the territorial disputes alongside Ambassador Assad Shoman.
“I don’t think it would be in the best interest of the nation to be able to remove him at this time,” Briceño said.
Rosado faces criminal charges arising from allegations of rape, sexual assault and aggravated assault, which he is contesting in court. His trial has experienced delays, including changes to his legal representation.
During court proceedings earlier this month, it was confirmed that Jamaican attorney Deborah Martin had been retained as his lead counsel.
Rosado has continued performing his diplomatic responsibilities while the criminal proceedings remain unresolved.
The ICJ’s official records identify Rosado as Belize’s Co-Agent in the case involving Honduras and the Sapodilla Cayes.
Briceño described the timing of the criminal proceedings as unfortunate but insisted that the government’s priority remains presenting the strongest possible legal case in defence of Belize’s territorial integrity.
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