Prime Minister Briceño Explains the Shot Heard Across the Americas

The prime minister’s speech, delivered a short distance away from where U.S. President Joe Biden sat, was a no holds barred criticism of the United States’ decision to bar Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela from attending the hemispheric conference.  But was it P.M. Briceño’s intention to reprimand the Commander in Chief?

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister, John Briceño

“No, I was not publicly chastising the president.  I need to point out first that it was publicly known what was CARICOM’s position and I went there to speak as the chairman of CARICOM and at the same time for Belize.  Belize has been very clear that the Summit of the Americas should be inclusive, it is a summit that is geographic, that is defined by geography, not by ideology and felt strongly that all countries should be invited.  So I was speaking on behalf of CARICOM, but at the same time we in Belize have also expressed that position.”

Eamon Courtenay

Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“As the prime minister has said, the Summit of the Americas does not belong to the United States.  The United States merely hosted the summit.  The summit belongs to the Americas.  The last two summits, these countries attended.  It is curious to me that less than a month ago, the United States announced new measures with Cuba, a supposed dictatorship.  It is curious to me that about two months ago, the United States and Cuba actually had bilateral talks on immigration, one of the main topics of the summit.  It is curious to me that less than a month ago, the United States announced a waiver for Chevron to do business with Venezuela.  It is curious to me that less than a month ago, the United States National Security Council sent a delegation to negotiate with Venezuela, but they want us to believe that when it comes to the entire hemisphere these countries are dictatorships.”