BELIZE CITY – In a tense standoff on January 27, 2026, a clear strategic divergence emerged between labor unions and a more militant protest faction outside the BTL compound on Saint Thomas Street. While demonstrators clashed with police, the nation’s leading union bodies, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and the Public Service Union (PSU), deliberately held their ground, opting for a calculated display of restraint rather than escalation.
NTUCB President Ella Waight articulated a philosophy of measured pressure, framing the day’s action as a serious but preliminary warning to the government. ‘We are very responsible people out here and we can send that message loudly without storming the building,’ Waight stated, emphasizing a commitment to safety and a distinct methodology from other protesters. She characterized the peaceful demonstration as ‘just the beginning,’ intended to compel authorities to halt their current process and avoid provoking a more severe response.
The rhetoric intensified with PSU President Dean Flowers, who delivered a stark, personal ultimatum to Prime Minister John Briceño. While explicitly stating his union is not currently advocating violence, Flowers issued a grave reminder of Briceño’s own past opposition rhetoric. ‘I want to remind you of that sir, one of you will get hurt if you continue to exploit Belizeans and this country in the manner you are doing,’ Flowers declared, signaling that the unions’ patience has a defined limit. This statement underscores a building crisis of confidence between organized labor and the administration, positioning the peaceful protest not as an endpoint but as a critical juncture in a potentially escalating conflict.