Switching now to international news - Prime Minister John Briceno and his delegation is wrapping up at the ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles tonight.
But PM Briceno made big news yesterday when he was openly critical of the United States' decision - as hosts - not to invite the leaders of Cuba and Venezuela to the Summit. And he did this at a session chaired by the US President and Vice President.
While Belizeans know that Cuba and Venezuela are two very close allies who have helped this country in many ways - Briceno's repudiation of the empire's exclusionary approach made waves at the Summit. Jules Vasquez reports:
When Prime Minister John Briceno arrived last night at the Getty Villa for the Leaders' Dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden, you wouldn't have know that he had just delivered a blistering speech right in front of the President and his Vice President Kamala Harris who chaired the session:
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The Summit belongs to all of the Americas. It is therefore inexcusable that all countries of the Americas are not here. It is incomprehensible that we would isolate countries of the Americas we stand divided. And that is why this Summit of the Americas should have been inclusive."
"Geography, not politics, defines the Americas."
His bold statement that cut right at the heart of empire - Biden Faces Skepticism at Summit of the Americas.
The New York Times today said that Briceño has, quote, "publicly chastised Mr. Biden in a remarkable speech".
And while Mr Briceno's righteous tone may have set him apart from the three other Spanish speaking heads of state and the UN Secretary General who spoke after him.
At dinner - as he made a toast to the leaders - President Biden conceded - as he must - to some disagreement:
Joe Biden, President - United States
"And I thought today was a very good day, we disagreed on some things, but I found that on the central issues that we talked about relating to everything from democracy to the specific notions of healthcare, the environment all the things we talked about, there was overwhelming agreement and I hope that getting to know one another better will help to accomplish what we all want done."
He struck a conciliatory tone - but history tells us that the empire always keeps the score, even for small slights - and it's left to be seen what price Belize will be made to pay standing in solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela
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