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Government corrects erroneous online news report

By on May 13, 2015
Foreign Affairs Press Release

Foreign Affairs Press Release

Belmopan. Wednesday, May 13, 2015. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today sent out a press release clarifying an erroneous news report that was carried today by a group trying to pass itself off as a credible news source.

The erroneous report posted online by Breaking Belize News, claims that the residence of the Belizean ambassador to Guatemala was raided by law enforcement authorities in that country, which the government statement says is “wholly incorrect.”

The government press release reads, “In an interview with News 5 aired yesterday 12 May, 2015, Minister Elrington
confirmed that law enforcement authorities in that neighbouring country made the attempt to enter and search the property because they believed that Mrs Baldetti was its beneficial owner. He never said that the property was ever raided or searched, nor that he believes it is one of Mrs. Baldetti’s properties. He is quoted as saying that he was informed that she may be the owner and it was what Guatemalan authorities were suggesting.”

The government release goes on to explain that, “while it is correct that certain sections of Guatemala’s law enforcement made the attempt, at no time did they enter the Ambassador’s residence nor was a search ever done. Concern was raised by the Ambassador with authorities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, who regretted this development. They explained that the Prosecutor’s Office is an entity independent of the Executive, but undertook to take the necessary actions to prevent its re-occurrence given its status as diplomatic premises. The Ambassador was also informed that the said
property does not feature in the holdings of the ex-Vice President Baldetti.”

For context we note that our News Director Patrick Jones received a call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today seeking to clarify the report which they believed he had published.

Our News Director told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff that he is not affiliated with the group calling itself Belize Breaking News, nor does he have anything to do with the erroneous report which they published today on their website.

“I would have sought confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or sourced any information in that regard, had I so decided to publish a report like that,” said Jones.

 

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