3 weeks ago
18
Senior government minister Florencio Marin Jr. has requested a ninety-day leave of absence from Prime Minister John Briceño. Marin, who serves as the substantive Minister of National Defence and Border Security, made the request today. According to the PM, Marin thought it fit to take leave as the audit exercise continues in the ministry.
John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Minister Marin just called me earlier before the meeting and to say, you know what, I think it’s best for me to ask for a leave of absence so that the Auditor General can do, they can continue to do their auditing of the ministries. It happened while I was in the minister. He believes that he didn’t do anything illegal, but he thinks that it would be best for the government for him to step back for the next 90 days, then we can get a report and then take it from there. Right now, I can deal with what I can deal, I can deal with the ministers.”
The development comes as public attention remains focused on procurement practices within the Ministry of Defence following revelations that contracts were awarded to several family members of former Minister of State for Defence Oscar Mira. During the period in question, Marin was the substantive minister with overall responsibility for the ministry, while Oscar Mira served as Minister of State with delegated responsibilities. Love News understands that Marin attended Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting and, according to a source within the upper echelons of government, gave no indication that he was contemplating stepping away from his ministerial duties. The request for leave therefore came as a surprise to some within government circles.
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