NORTH AMBERGRIS CAYE AIRPORT — WHO IS NEGOTIATING ON BELIZE’S BEHALF?

If the Briceño Government of Belize is expected to cover a funding shortfall, Belizeans deserve to see the figures, the land terms and the names of the parties involved before commitments are made.

Editorial | November 9, 2026

Why are Belizeans still waiting to learn what is being discussed on their behalf when their government is already being asked to cover a financing gap?

• The Inter-American Development Bank’s 2025 airport business case examined six scenarios, identified Secret Beach as the preferred location and found a gap to be funded by the Government of Belize. Its subsequent request for consulting services is called for testing the interest of private sponsors, lenders, builders and operators. It also contemplated redevelopment of the existing John Greif II airport site as a possible source of funds. Who was approached? What terms were discussed? How much public money or land would the project require? Those are questions the government can answer with documents. 

The government-hosted pre-feasibility presentation models a 30-year concession and US$112.6 million in capital spending across two phases. That preliminary capital estimate gives Belizeans a sense of scale. The funding gap, any public guarantees and the costs of operating the airport and serving it with roads and utilities require their own figures. A concession could assign those bills to different parties. The public deserves to see exactly where they would fall. 

• The Prime Minister walked away. The questions stayed.

On Friday, November 6, Prime Minister John Briceño returned from the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda. The mainstream media sought a brief interview at the Philip Goldson International Airport and raised the controversy on Ambergris Caye. Briceño said he had already declined an interview that day, asked the reporters to respect his decision and said he would speak when he had the opportunity. He left without answering the questions raised in that exchange. 

The government can choose the time and place for a full briefing. It should set a date, release the relevant records beforehand and take questions. At that briefing, the Prime Minister must say plainly what Cabinet has authorized, what financial or land commitments have been made, and who has been empowered to speak or negotiate for Belize.

Andre Perez should answer for the assurances he gave

• In June, Area Representative Andre Perez said funding was in place, identified Social Security Board land as the proposed site and said the Belize Airports Authority would manage the airport. On November 5, he told 7News he supported eventual development of the northern facility and acknowledged the need for consultation and cost-benefit work. What funding was he referring to in June? If it was construction funding, who committed it, for how much and on what terms? If his statement referred to project preparation, the public should hear that clarification from him. 

Perez should also explain what residents can still change. The San Pedro Town Council has voted to oppose closing John Greif II. If the downtown airport stays open, can the northern airport be financed without proceeds from its land? And if government is contemplating a lease, sale or contribution of SSB land near Secret Beach, what would the Social Security Board receive and on whose valuation?

Put the documents before the people

• The government should publish the six financing scenarios and the estimated public contribution under each. It should identify the market-sounding consultant if one was appointed and disclose which prospective parties were approached, who represented Belize, and whether any memorandum, letter of intent, land arrangement, guarantee or concession has been signed. For any document withheld, it should identify the document and explain the basis for withholding it. 

Government says the wider island plan involved 15 workshops. That makes the next request straightforward. Show when residents were presented with the options for the airport itself, including retaining the downtown runway, relocating flights, and using the existing airport site to help finance construction. Put the proposed runway design, aircraft types, road costs and estimated transfer costs on the table so San Pedro can assess what each option would mean in practice. 

Belizeans should have those answers while their views can still change the outcome. Prime Minister Briceño and Area Representative Perez, tell the country who has been at the table, what has been discussed or promised, and what you expect Belizeans to pay.

By: Omar Silva – Editorial Director/Publisher @ www.nationalperspectivebz.com 

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