Foreign Minister he was approached about visas just days after assuming office
Wilfred Elrington
The sale of visas to Asian nationals and others by agents has been ongoing for years facilitated by high level officials. Last Thursday, the Prime Minister told the media that he has told ministers involved to “for God’s sakes” stop it because this could bring down the government. Earlier this year, Belizean Carlos Murga, was nabbed in Havana, Cuba in possession of a number of Belizean passports containing visas. It is unclear where those documents came from and how Murga came into possession of it, but Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington has commented on it because Murga is related to a former staff member of his ministry. Elrington says that his ministry is not responsible for the recommendation, issuance or facilitation of the visa application process. Elrington continued by stating that he was once approached to aide in the process, but took a hard line position against such activity.
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Shortly after we got into office in March 2008, I think within the first week or so I was visited maybe by about two or three persons who had an interest in obtaining either visas or passports. But subsequent to that time I have had no visit from anyone who had any interest in obtaining passports or visas and if my recollection serves me right I think that at that time we had nothing to do with it. We don’t issue passports, we don’t issue visas. That’s not the function or role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That’s the function and role of the Ministry of Immigration and I was not sure why it was that in fact they were coming to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in any event. I never inquired as it was not a matter that was of interest to me. Those who know me will know that I don’t get involved in anything that I really don’t have to be involved in. I try to limit myself only to what I have to do.”
Isani Cayetano
“Could it have been a situation where this type of practice was a standard or common place prior to your assumption of that particular ministry?”
Wilfred Elrington
“It may have been but that would be speculation. I can tell you that within the first week people came but I can’t say why. I could only speculate like you as to the reason for it. But after that nobody came.”
Isani Cayetano
“There’s also this perception, if I may, that the Belizean embassy in Cuba, to some, is seen as the hub for the facilitation or the unlawful facilitation of either Belizean visas or passports to primarily Chinese nationals wanting to attain citizenship or attain documents to travel through Belize toward their final destination. Can you either dispel these rumors or put to bed these particular allegations?”
Wilfred Elrington
“I know that the embassy in Cuba seems to play the role of the interviewer of applicants for visas to come to Belize and maybe, but to apply for visas to come to Belize. I think their role is limited essentially to vetting the applicants and then I think that information is transmitted to Belize City here to the Ministry of Immigration.”
Wilfred, come on. you were in the cabinet meetings, ever other cabinet meeting it was brought up.
Why did you do nothing after hearing barrow say it would bring down the government?
were you not AG before your current position?
or was this some kind of joke? he said because he knew everyone was in on the deal?
time to resign
maybe no prison time, but you have to be honest.
Elrington also said; “We have kinda zero tolerance for any suggestion of wrongdoing so we act with alacrity when things like that happen.”
The important word here is the WE! Maybe he should have said I. Both Hulsie and Barrow knew the same thing, but have they ever acted with alacrity? : )
PLEEEAASSEE!!!! who he d try foul?? not me!! this guy is talking lone giperish everyone knows that no matta wat PUP or UDP throw dem money and you could get anything you want,illegal things turns legal with the right price,why you think Penner no the get investigated…them fraid once Penner go da jail and get tired he wa start spill out names so them could shorten his sentence!!thats y Barrow government the cover him keep him away from criminal investigation because alot of high ups wa get sentence!!!!
PLEEEAASSEE!!!! who he d try foul?? not me!! this guy is talking lone giperish everyone knows that no matta wat PUP or UDP throw dem money and you could get anything you want,illegal things turns legal with the right price,why you think Penner no the get investigated…them fraid!! once Penner go da jail and get tired he wa start spill out names so them could shorten his sentence!!thats y Barrow and the government the cover him keep him away from criminal investigation because alot of high ups wa get sentence!!!!
Did this man not have a moral obligation to report such approach to the PM. As a government official of Foreign Affair does he not have an obligation to follow up and cause an investigation to occur.
This all does not make sense, if there is suspicion that the Belize Embassy in Cuba is doing some treasonous act this man did nothing to further and investigation. I guess he thinks that these statements absolve him of all guilt. If you had all that information Mr Elrington, why did you not say something when passports went missing, why did you not say something when all the other immigration issues were first brought up?
Your silence speaks volumes and I believe you were afraid to rollover on some of your buddies who are in office. I am so ashamed of all of you good old thieving government officials who are playing at running a country for the people. All of you are interested in one thing and one thing only, lining your pockets with wealth on the backs of the poor people whose lives are getting worse day by day.
This Belize government is no better than any other terrorist government, the only difference is they do their crime with fear and intimidation, you all commit white color crime under the cover of democracy.