Just before Christmas, the Ombudsman of Belize, Major Swazo, received a letter from the government informing him that his contract would not be renewed. The People’s National Party (PNP) has taken issue with this decision, stating that it believes Major Swazo was performing his duties effectively and consistently acting in the best interest of the Belizean people. According to a PNP press release, the role of the Ombudsman is to investigate allegations of injustice, and corruption within government, and the party maintains that Major Swazo was carrying out this mandate as required.