Leader of the Opposition says Kareem Musa is the fall guy in the Budna saga 

Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, came out swinging today, asserting that former Police Minister Kareem Musa has been made the fall guy in what she describes as the government’s mishandling of the Budna saga.  Panton argues that Musa’s removal from the Ministry of Home Affairs is effectively a political sacrifice, saying it amounts to him being thrown under the proverbial bus by Prime Minister John Briceño.  According to the Opposition Leader, the decision to reassign Musa during this week’s Cabinet reshuffle signals a loss of confidence and accountability shifting within the administration. She maintains that while the Prime Minister seeks to preserve political stability, it comes at the expense of one of his senior ministers’ reputations.  

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “It seemed to me that the former Minister of Home Affairs has now become the fall guy for the kidnapping of a Belizean national and handed over to hostile territory.”

Reporter: Do you believe that Minister Musa is the fall guy? 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “Well that is how it appears to the layman’s eye. What would be the reason so early in this administration to have that kind of the timing of the reshuffle on the heels of not only the kidnapping of a Belizean National but also on the attempted assassination of businessmen who are currently working in the free zone I think is an indication that somebody has to be held accountable. And in this decision by the Prime Minister to the shuffle the Cabinet at this time, suggests that Kareem is being held accountable.”

It is interesting to note that Minister Musa has been the one advocating for the release of the surveillance videos in the area where Budna was taken, as well as the launch of an independent investigation.