With three weeks left into the auditor general’s probe, the watchdogs are now under the microscope as the Ministry of Defense procurement scandal widens. Investigators want to know whether the ministry’s inspector general, who also serves as internal auditor, detected any of the questionable transactions now at the center of the inquiry. Auditor General Maria Rodriguez says her investigation has uncovered alleged conflicts of interest extending beyond ministerial offices and into the Belize Defense Force and Coast Guard. With a major audit report expected by month’s end and public pressure for accountability mounting, the former Defense Minister placed on administrative leave has also stepped back into the public spotlight. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports on the expanding investigation and the officials now facing tough questions.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
New questions are surfacing in the Mira Millions scandal. A 2025 bid document shows B.D.F. ration submissions went directly to the ministry’s inspector general, the same official responsible for internal audits. News Five understands that the inspector general was hired during Florencio Marin’s tenure and also comes from the former minister’s Corozal Southeast constituency. Did the inspector general, in the execution of his duty, ever come across these questionable transactions and if so, did he turn a blind eye? The questions keep mounting, and Auditor General Maria Rodriguez says her investigation is now uncovering fresh revelations.
Maria Rodriquez
Maria Rodriquez, Auditor General
“We have certainly been able to find more things at the Ministry of Defense that is beyond ministers interventions. We have public officers also in alleged conflict of interest. So this audit has really opened the box to not just look at ministerial level but also to the entire ministry and the individual entities, like BDF and Coast Guard.”
The investigation is now widening beyond ministers at the administrative level to include public officers within the Belize Defense Force and Belize Coast Guard.
Maria Rodriquez
“The regulation says what is your role as a finance officer and what is your role as a CEO and public officer. So when we look at these things it is surprising at some level because you do expect seasoned public officers to be abiding by the regulations and not letting things by the way they have been seen.”
Auditor General Maria Rodriguez says her team will submit its first audit report by the end of September. But former Defense Minister Oscar Mira, who remains on administrative leave, is already back in the public eye. He attended three official events in three days, appearing alongside senior PUP officials, including Prime Minister John Briceño. The prime minister says he has no issue with Mira’s public appearances.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Oscar Mira continues to be an area representative. He continues to represent the people of Belmopan and I welcome him to continue to work in Belmopan and for our government.”
Florencio Marin has taken a very different approach. Since going on administrative leave, the former Defense Minister has stayed away from government events and out of the public eye.
Maria Rodriquez
“What will happen end of September is that we will have an exit meeting to inform him of what has been found. He will be given him a week or two, depending on what he says, to respond, and thereafter, the report goes to the financial secretary for his further submission.”
Only a few weeks ago, the unions went on record to say that they have not forgotten about the scandal, while demanding accountability.
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator (File: Aug 18th, 2026)
“The Ministry of Defense Procurement Scandal cannot be swept under the rug, because it is showing us the weakness in our procurement system.”
As investigators continue to peel back the layers of the Ministry of Defense procurement scandal, the question is, who failed to act? Paul Lopez for News Five.
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