IDB and Belize Government mend fences

Luis Alberto Moreno

The Prime Minister is in Miami for scheduled meetings and will return to Belize on Sunday.  This afternoon after his departure, a joint release by his office and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was issued. It indicates in diplomatic language that Belize is mending fences with the IDB in the aftermath of scathing remarks on the IDB president by Prime Minister Dean Barrow.  Meetings were held on Thursday in Belize City between government officials and the IDB representatives, including Vice President Roberto Vellutini to discuss future partnerships.  Notably President Luis Alberto Moreno was not at the Belize City meetings; PM Barrow said on November thirtieth that he will not be sharing a podium with him anytime soon and called Moreno’s decision,

Dean Barrow

“A crass act of cowardice” not to bring before the IDB Board, a loan request that the US Treasury had blocked. In burying the hatchet, Belize acknowledges the contributions and says it intends to remain an active member of the IDB, which in the last two decades, has provided one hundred and ninety million US dollars to Belize. The release says that, “In the context of the forthcoming Country Strategy 2013-2017, and in a manner consistent with IDB’s role in the international financial system, the Bank and Government will continue to explore alternatives to help Belize surpass its development challenges and achieve its national development goals.”