Belize likely to become republic, says PM as he criticises Rishi Sunak

Johnny Briceño at his office in Belmopan. He said there was ‘no excitement’ among Belizeans about the coronation of King Charles III. Photograph: Oliver Laughland/The Guardian

The prime minister of Belize, Johnny Briceño, has sharply criticised Rishi Sunak’s refusal to apologise for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, and said it was “quite likely” Belize would be the next member of the Commonwealth realm to become a republic.

Speaking in the country’s capital, Belmopan, Briceño argued that the British government had a moral responsibility to apologise for the atrocities of slavery, and added to calls throughout the English-speaking Caribbean for financial reparations from the UK.