Former Minister of Economic Development Erwin Contreras walked out of a Senate Special Select Committee meeting held on October 28th, refusing to comply with the committee's instructions and citing a pending High Court matter.
The move mirrors actions taken by senior officials previously summoned to the committee.
Contreras, who signed the controversial Definitive Agreement without prior Cabinet approval, was escorted to the committee by police on the strength of a warrant. Dressed in shorts, Contreras made an unusual appearance before the committee, citing sub judice concerns as his reason for declining participation. According to Contreras, his attorney had advised against any engagement with the proceedings without legal representation. He asserted, "The matter in front of us, as you are all aware, is sub judice and therefore prohibited from public disclosure."
Chairlady Janelle Chanona, leading the inquiry, requested Contreras to read a relevant section from the Legislative Assembly Ordinance into the record, but he refused. Contreras reiterated that he would not proceed in the absence of his attorney, which led to an exchange where Chanona reminded him that he was present under warrant. Despite her reminders, Contreras left the chamber without further explanation or answers.
This latest development follows the actions of Minister Christopher Coye and Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, who, two weeks ago, had similarly refused to answer the committee's questions.
For his part, Minister Coye lamented that Belize has lost investment opportunities due to the ongoing committee's mandate.
“From a development perspective as it relates to this project, Belize has lost,” Minister of State Christopher Coye told the Senate Select Committee during his brief appearance, before walking out.
at the time, Coye expressed disappointment that Belize missed out on major foreign investment opportunities tied to the proposed Port of Magical Belize project.
The minister noted that the project, which involved global firms like Boscalis and Royal Caribbean, had promised "hundreds of millions of dollars" in foreign capital and job creation, but lamented that “there has been no foreign investment, no capital inflow, no employment generated.”
He warned that without the construction of a modern cruise port, Belize risks losing its position as a cruise destination, stating, “the ships and their passengers will just pass us by.”
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