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Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca has again addressed Government’s decision to retain Alexis Rosado as Belize’s co-agent at the International Court of Justice, despite the sexual offences case against him. Reporters have continued to press the issue as Rosado remains involved in preparing Belize’s territorial case against Guatemala. Fonseca has previously said Belize’s agent, Assad Shoman, and the legal team consider Rosado’s experience and years of preparation important to the case. Asked about his continued employment, Fonseca explained Government’s position.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “That’s not the case. Again, I repeat, the government on this issue is guided by the advice of the agent. Agent Assad Shoman. He has worked, as you all know, for decades on this issue so we’re guided by his advice and he has made it clear to us that his co agent, Mr.Rosado, Ambassador Rosado, is in his view vital to the ongoing work of this case. So we are guided by that. I think it would be irresponsible not to be guided by the agent who has worked on the case for decades. And no we have, remember there’s a lot of work still in terms of Guatemala making their arguments, preparing for the case, we have to be able to respond to that. There are likely to be some motions that are put forward we don’t know what will take place in the next few months. But with legal cases you always have to be prepared, you have to be flexible, you have to be doing ongoing research, look at different points and they believe that his continued presence on the team is very important for that ongoing work.”
Rosado was first charged in April 2022 following a complaint made in December 2021. At his initial arraignment, he faced one count of rape, one count of sexual assault and six counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature. The complainant alleges that the abuse began when she was thirteen and continued over several years. Rosado has pleaded not guilty. Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde was also asked about Rosado’s retention on the ICJ team while the criminal proceedings remain before the court. He was extremely brief, essentially rejecting the decision to retain Ambassador Rosado.
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister: “You know I asked myself this question, if I were to go to sleep tonight and don’t wake up tomorrow, would they try to preserve me or would they have to bury me? I think ultimately they’ll have to bury me and that’s how I’ll answer that.”
Rosado’s case is before the High Court in Belmopan. At his latest reported appearance on October 16, his defence confirmed that Jamaican attorney Deborah Martin would take over as lead counsel. A case management hearing was set for November 20.
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