On August 14, 2026, the Belizean Cabinet issued a decision rejecting the proposed acquisition of Speednet by national telecommunications provider BTL, a move that has been met with mixed reactions from organized labor groups across the country. While union leaders frame the rejection as a partial victory for grassroots public pressure, they insist the battle for transparency and accountability in national infrastructure decision-making is far from over, and plans for mass planned demonstrations set for next Tuesday remain fully in effect.
The controversy began months ago, when BTL’s government-appointed board of directors cast votes approving the takeover deal, a move that spurred immediate pushback from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the Belize National Teachers Union, and a coalition of other labor and civil society groups. Organizers had already arranged mass street protests before the Cabinet’s ruling, arguing that the merger lacked sufficient public consultation and threatened the interests of workers and consumers across Belize.
In an exclusive interview following the Cabinet’s announcement, NTUCB President Ella Waight described the decision as a vindication of coordinated labor advocacy and public education efforts. She emphasized that the coalition’s work to inform Belizean citizens about the potential risks of the acquisition was critical to shifting public discourse and pushing the government to reject the deal.
Waight noted, “It’s a great feeling and it’s justification as to what we do here at NTUCB and partnering with our social partners when it comes to national issues. I think all entities did a very good job in ensuring that people understand why we were saying no to the acquisition.”
Despite this win, Waight made clear that the proposed acquisition is not yet fully resolved. Because government-nominated BTL board members already voted in favor of the deal, unions are demanding those votes be formally withdrawn to close the door on any potential revival of the merger.
When asked if she believed the Cabinet’s rejection was final, Waight expressed confidence that the administration would not reverse course, citing the widespread public opposition to the deal and the political risk of backing away from the current ruling. “I don’t think they would want that political backlash. I don’t think they would want a backlash from the social partners and from Belizeans as a whole,” Waight explained. Still, she added, unions remain committed to moving forward with demonstrations to cement the win and push for long-term systemic reform.
After the Cabinet’s announcement, NTUCB surveyed leaders from its 11 member unions to decide whether to proceed with the planned mass action. In an overwhelming vote, member unions confirmed the protests would go forward as scheduled. The focus of the demonstrations has shifted, however: instead of only opposing the BTL-Speednet merger, organizers will now demand stronger regulatory safeguards, more robust independent oversight of major national business deals, and greater public accountability for government-connected corporate decisions.
Protests will be held simultaneously in two locations starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday and concluding at 1 p.m. Demonstrators from northern districts including Corozal, Orange Walk, and San Pedro, along with Belize City residents, will gather outside BTL’s headquarters in Belize City. Participants from southern districts including Punta Gorda and Stann Creek, as well as those from the Cayo District, will assemble at the main government administration building in Belmopan. Organizers have arranged transportation from all districts, secured all necessary approvals from law enforcement, and pledged to update the public on any changes via local media and social media platforms.
Waight urged Belizeans not to treat the Cabinet’s rejection as a final victory, calling for continued public vigilance to prevent the deal from being reconsidered in the future and to push for lasting reform that gives citizens a greater voice in major national decisions. “Don’t take it for granted that, yes, the cabinet said no, we still need to ensure that we show up, right? We show up for ourselves and for country,” Waight said.