Controversy Surrounding “The Principality of Islandia”
A group of investors from varying backgrounds and social brackets pooled together to buy an island off the coast of Belize for approximately one hundred and eighty thousand U.S. dollars. But, the manner in which they intend to develop the island has created some controversy. The investors say they are using the island to establish a micro-nation. They say the concept of creating this so-called sovereign state in Belize’s waters is fictitious and only meant to be a marketing ploy. But, many Belizeans are not yet buying into the idea. The Prime Minister of Belize also holds some strong reservations. News Five’s Paul Lopez spoke with the man behind the concept, Marshall Mayer, via zoom, who sought to clarify what he says are misunderstandings about their true intent. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The story of the Principality of Islandia first made headlines in an article featured on CNN Travel. Since then, the story has seen a lot of traction here in Belize. Many Belizeans, upon hearing of the idea of investors crowd funding the purchase of an island off the coast of Belize to establish their own nation state or a micro nation, have raised strong objections. The story has even garnered a response from the Prime Minister of Belize who said this on Tuesday.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Deh dah some schupid people, next question.”
And, while those words from the Prime Minister may come off as offensive, Marshall Mayer, the co founder of Let’sBuyanIsland.com, the company behind the purchase of Coffee Caye, told us via zoom that he takes no offense.
Marshall Mayer
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“I am not offended personally. I do think there is a misunderstanding fundamentally. The idea that we are actually trying to declare some form of independence is misleading at best and flat out wrong at worst. It is, the misunderstanding here comes from this concept of micro-nation, which may not be familiar to all people.”
A micro nation is described as a small area or political entity that claims national sovereignty but is not recognized by other sovereign states. Mayer says, this micro-nation is a fictitious concept with a group of likeminded people whose aim is development.
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“Yes the term is micro-nation and it is a niche’ marketing tool, an interesting thing that somebody gets involved in, but it is not our intent, and we wouldn’t dream of formally trying to separate from any nation, especially one that is as kind to host us as Belize has been, and with as nice people as Belizeans has been to us.”
Paul Lopez
“You would say that the biggest misunderstanding is that you are trying to separate yourself from Belize as a separate state?”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“Yes, I think that is the biggest misunderstanding. It is absolutely not the case.”
Paul Lopez
“Why does it bother you that this is the perception that is initially being painted in the minds of Belizeans?”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“Because, I want to be a part of the Belizean business world. I want to be a part of the culture. I want to contribute to it and I don’t want it to tear people apart from each other or us, to feel we are somehow treating Belize with any form of disrespect or anyone in Belize with any form of disrespect. The exact opposite is true.”
Mayer says he agreed to conduct the initial interview with CNN to build some hype around the investment and get people talking. That they did, as their emails are now inundated with request for information on investment opportunities in Belize. But, the global spotlight also came with negative reactions.
Paul Lopez
“In this fictitious nation state, there is an elected prince correct?”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“Yeah, I mean again, there is a title of Prince that we are going with just with the tongue and cheek aspect of this project. Obviously they hold no real power.”
Paul Lopez
“You also have a Prime Minister, am I right?”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“Also correct, but again, it is part of the marketing ploy of the project. Our Prime Minister, while she is great as a person, she is also a lawyer, and she knows exactly where she stands. Here duties, if you want to call them that, stays in the realm of helping to deal with our investors, answering media inquiry and things like that.”
Paul Lopez
“You also have a national flag.”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“Yes, some people would say to the point that we put together a national flag, quote of arms, an anthem, to me that is a banner, a logo a theme song.”
Paul Lopez
“Would you recite a portion of the national anthem for us?”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“I would not, because I actually don’t remember any of it.”
Paul Lopez
“Aren’t you the elected prince?”
Marshall Mayer, Co-Founder, LetsBuyanIsland.com
“I was, I gave up my ‘tittle’ to another one of the investors about a year ago 12:15
Whether a marketing ploy or a fantasy, Mayer will certainly need to convince Prime Minister John Briceño of his true intentions, if he happens to get a meeting.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“We will never allow anybody to have their own country within this country. Dah wah stupid thing. If you stupid enough to pay a lot of money to buy piece of land, good for you. Obviously, it has absolutely no support from the government. And, certainly I don’t think, and if it is, we will change it, that the Ministry or BTB, or anybody in tourism could say, ok, as a marketing strategy, buy an island and have your own country.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
