By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Jose Mallea, managing partner of Forward Global Miami and a former White House and U.S. State Department staffer under President George W. Bush, says Belize is at risk of damaging its standing with Washington under what he describes as a new U.S. “reliability standard.”
In his commentary, Mallea argues that President Donald Trump’s administration, now into its second term, is evaluating countries in the Western Hemisphere not by diplomatic language but by governance performance at home.
According to Mallea, the Trump administration has little patience for rhetoric and instead focuses on institutional independence, transparency, and market stability. He warns that Belize is “burning through its reputational capital” due to ongoing domestic controversies.
Mallea specifically highlights three areas: developments surrounding Belize Telemedia Limited, prolonged legal disputes over the Stake Bank port project, and oversight concerns within the Corozal Free Zone.
He argues that in Washington’s view, ports are strategic assets, telecom infrastructure is tied to national security, and weak oversight in trade zones signals broader governance issues.
Mallea concludes that Belize can still correct course by strengthening independent institutions and resolving high-profile disputes before reputational damage affects trade and investment.
The post Former White House staffer flags Belize governance issues appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Jose Mallea, managing partner of Forward Global Miami and a former White House and U.S. State Department staffer under President George W. Bush, says Belize is at risk of damaging its standing with Washington under what he describes as a new U.S. “reliability standard.” In his commentary, Mallea argues
The post Former White House staffer flags Belize governance issues appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.