PM Comments on his Sister’s GST Debt

John Briceño

SpeedNet, a parent company to Smart Belize, is reportedly indebted to the Government of Belize to the tune of eleven point one million dollars in GST.  The sum has accumulated overtime as a result of interest and penalties accrued. The outstanding debt is in the name of one Vanessa Briceño, a relative to the Prime Minister.  When asked about it, Prime Minister Briceño responded saying that Vanessa had been trying to pay the outstanding debt for some time. Here is how he puts it.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Let me correct you that I Have no interest in this business. So, let us start with that. Secondly, Vanessa, without talking her private business have been trying to correct that for a very long time. Because it seems the way the GST were charging the GST, they were charging on the gross sales, when it should only be charged on the amount of the value you put on. And the value they are getting is like 12 cents of what is being sold. And so, because they are being back and forth, they are working the interest and penalties as well. And that is one of the points we are making to the Unions. When you see these millions of dollars that are owed by these companies, a lot of that will remain uncollectable. Because in many instances, because you are negotiating, and you know the pace that they go they are only adding interest and penalties and it is totally out of whack. I know Vanessa, from the previous government, have been trying to meet with them and trying to settle it.”