Carib Scope

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  • PM Briceño Responds After BTL Meeting, Protests

    PM Briceño Responds After BTL Meeting, Protests

    BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – Prime Minister John Briceño has publicly addressed the escalating controversy surrounding the proposed acquisition of Speednet by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), following a contentious Cabinet meeting with telecom executives that has ignited widespread public concern.

    In a brief encounter with journalists on January 29, 2026, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to due process while facing pointed questions about growing opposition from multiple sectors. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB), independent senators, and opposition parties have all voiced strong objections to the proposed consolidation.

    Prime Minister Briceño clarified his position, stating, ‘I have consistently maintained that we reside in a democratic nation where peaceful protest represents a constitutional right, provided it remains within legal boundaries.’

    When pressed about his perceived endorsement of the acquisition, Briceño offered a nuanced clarification: ‘My position has been mischaracterized. I have not publicly endorsed the deal but rather advocated for allowing the established process to proceed unimpeded. The BTL leadership presented their case to Cabinet for approximately two and a half hours, addressing all ministerial inquiries to our satisfaction.’

    The Prime Minister highlighted the financial implications for national institutions, revealing a critical detail: ‘Social Security currently receives approximately a two percent return on its investment in BTL. Projections indicate this could increase to nine percent through industry consolidation, ultimately benefiting all contributors to the system.’

    Briceño concluded by emphasizing the board’s fiduciary responsibilities and explicitly stated that BTL would not assume any of Speednet’s existing liabilities, characterizing the transaction as primarily involving cash flow assets. The Prime Minister terminated the questioning session, expressing frustration with what he characterized as media misinterpretation of his previous statements.

  • PM Briceno Moves to Regulate Telecom, Broadband Price

    PM Briceno Moves to Regulate Telecom, Broadband Price

    The Belizean government, under Prime Minister John Briceño, has initiated a significant regulatory overhaul of the nation’s telecommunications sector. New legislation is currently being drafted to establish price controls for both telecom and broadband services, responding directly to concerns raised by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). This regulatory intervention comes amid the proposed acquisition deal between BTL and Speednet, though the Prime Minister emphasized these consumer protection measures will proceed regardless of the merger’s outcome.

    The regulatory framework aims to address market dominance concerns, with BTL currently controlling approximately 60% of telecommunications and 50% of broadband services. The Prime Minister stated that the primary objective is to prevent arbitrary price increases and ensure fair industry practices, noting that similar regulatory oversight already exists for utilities such as energy and water.

    Regarding satellite internet services, Prime Minister Briceño addressed questions about Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture. While indicating he wasn’t aware of any recent license modification requests from the company, he clarified that Starlink services could be permitted in areas where local providers don’t currently offer coverage. These decisions would fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission, maintaining the government’s commitment to expanding internet access to underserved regions while protecting consumer interests.

  • Belize Eyes New Opportunities with Oil-Rich Guyana

    Belize Eyes New Opportunities with Oil-Rich Guyana

    In a significant diplomatic development, Belize is positioning itself to capitalize on Guyana’s remarkable economic metamorphosis fueled by its burgeoning oil sector. President Irfaan Ali of Guyana is scheduled to arrive in Belize this Sunday for an official state visit, marking a pivotal moment in Caribbean regional cooperation.

    The visit represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Guyana, which Prime Minister John Briceño noted was once overlooked but now commands regional attention due to its petroleum discoveries. “It is kind of ironic because at one time nobody wanted to go to Guyana and now everybody wants to go to Guyana,” Briceño observed, drawing parallels between Guyana’s capital and Belize City during his previous visits in the mid-2000s.

    The bilateral discussions will focus on concrete collaboration across multiple sectors including agricultural development, tourism enhancement, and educational exchange programs. While oil cooperation remains a potential regional discussion point, Briceño emphasized the immediate practical opportunities in non-energy sectors. The Prime Minister expressed nostalgia for regional energy initiatives like Petro Caribe while acknowledging the unlikelihood of such agreements resuming under current geopolitical circumstances.

    This diplomatic engagement occurs against the backdrop of Belize’s own energy policy reflections, having maintained an offshore oil moratorium for eight years. The talks signal a strategic shift in Caribbean alliances as smaller nations seek to benefit from Guyana’s unprecedented economic ascent, which has transformed the country from a regional outsider to an economic powerhouse within the CARICOM community.

  • PM Responds to Concerns Over Unequal Constituency Funds

    PM Responds to Concerns Over Unequal Constituency Funds

    Prime Minister John Briceño has publicly addressed growing concerns regarding the unequal distribution of constituency development funds across Belize’s electoral districts. The controversy emerged after social activist Jerry Enriquez filed a freedom of information request seeking transparency in fund allocation and expenditure documentation.

    The disclosure revealed that Briceño’s Orange Walk Central constituency receives the highest monthly allocation despite not being among the country’s largest voting districts. The Prime Minister explained that constituencies are categorized into three distinct tiers based solely on voter population metrics, with funding proportional to registered voter numbers.

    Briceño emphasized the administration’s strict accountability protocols, stating that representatives must submit detailed receipts and spending reports before receiving subsequent allocations. He acknowledged that this requirement has caused dissatisfaction among some area representatives whose payments were withheld pending proper documentation.

    Regarding his constituency’s elevated funding, the Prime Minister clarified that the additional resources address nationwide demands on his office, supporting initiatives spanning sports, education, and healthcare across multiple regions including Toledo and Belize City. He contrasted the current system with the previous administration’s approach, noting that opposition constituencies now receive funding whereas they previously received nothing.

    On the delayed release of expenditure receipts, Briceño cited the overwhelming volume of documentation involving tens of thousands of individual receipts. While defending the administrative challenge, he extended an invitation for Enriquez to personally review the comprehensive records maintained by Cabinet Secretary offices.

    The Prime Minister maintains that the allocation system reflects objective voter demographics rather than political favoritism, though transparency advocates continue calling for enhanced disclosure mechanisms regarding public fund distribution and utilization.

  • A Camalote Man’s Journey Back Through Poetry

    A Camalote Man’s Journey Back Through Poetry

    In the serene village of Camalote, Belize, a remarkable story of personal redemption is unfolding through the power of written verse. Oliver “Shiloh” Wiltshire has discovered that poetry composed during his most challenging periods ultimately became the catalyst for his spiritual and creative rebirth after nearly a decade of losing his way.

    Wiltshire’s journey represents a profound testament to resilience and self-discovery. Previously established as a semi-professional athlete, educator, and village council chairman, he experienced a significant personal detour that lasted approximately ten years. During this period, his extensive collection of poetic works—more than thirty volumes worth of material—remained concealed beneath his bed, forgotten yet preserving the essence of his earlier struggles and reflections.

    The turning point emerged when Wiltshire rediscovered these stored writings. “When I began to revisit these poems and read them anew, they spoke directly to my lived experiences,” Wiltshire explained. The verses, initially created as an emotional outlet, unexpectedly provided the guidance he needed to reorient his life’s path.

    Now, Wiltshire has embarked on an ambitious creative mission: transforming his poetry into musical compositions that can reach global audiences. He has established Shiloh Productions and partnered with Luke “JR Rebel” Banner, a respected figure in Belize’s music scene known for his work with the popular duo “Instruments of Love” fifteen years prior.

    Banner brings renewed perspective and maturity to the collaboration. “Returning to music now involves greater focus, lyrical sophistication, and mental clarity,” Banner noted. “I approach the craft with enhanced confidence and excitement about what we can deliver.”

    The production team is completed by Asaad “DJ Dice” Patnett, who handles engineering and marketing responsibilities. Having grown up in Camalote exposed to Wiltshire’s poetry since childhood, Patnett recognizes the project’s unique potential. “This initiative breaks new ground creatively,” Patnett emphasized. “These poems have resonated with me since my youth, and now we’re giving them new life through music.”

    Wiltshire draws inspiration from diverse sources including life experiences, religious texts—particularly his well-used Bible—and works by Belizean authors. His ultimate objective transcends conventional boundaries: “I aim to share these messages through music, literature, and poetry so they can resonate regardless of religious, political, national, or racial backgrounds.”

    The team is currently seeking support to upgrade their studio equipment and fully realize their artistic vision, transforming personal redemption into shared creative expression that promises to inspire well beyond their village borders.

  • QEH performs Barbados’ first TAVI procedure

    QEH performs Barbados’ first TAVI procedure

    Barbados’ Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has achieved a transformative milestone in cardiac care with the successful execution of the nation’s inaugural Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) within its public healthcare system. This minimally invasive procedure, performed in the Cardiac Suite at the Lion’s Eye Care Centre, marks a significant leap forward in treating aortic stenosis—a dangerous narrowing of the heart valve predominantly affecting elderly patients who are often unsuitable for traditional open-heart surgery due to age and co-morbidities.

    A multidisciplinary team of specialists, led by Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Christita Powlett and supported by Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Jose Lugo, Head of Cardiology Dr. Dawn Scantlebury, and Anesthesiologist Dr. Sherry Lashley, pioneered the procedure. The TAVI technique involves threading a catheter typically through the groin or a minor chest incision to deploy a new valve over the malfunctioning one. With an international success rate exceeding 98%, the procedure offers rapid symptom relief and dramatically reduced recovery periods, frequently enabling discharge within 72 hours.

    This achievement is particularly notable as it brings a advanced treatment modality previously available only in private sectors regionally—such as in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana—into the public health domain. To date, QEH has successfully completed two TAVI procedures despite significant infrastructural challenges. The hospital is currently operating with reduced theater capacity due to issues with the central air-conditioning system affecting six operating rooms.

    In response, hospital CEO Neil Clark and medical teams have implemented an innovative extended rotating theater schedule, utilizing three functional theaters for prolonged hours throughout weekdays and weekends. This contingency measure has enabled the continuation of urgent surgeries, addressed critical demand, and begun reducing the procedural backlog.

    While repairs are ongoing, QEH has procured a new air-conditioning unit scheduled for installation in March, which will serve as the permanent solution to restore full operational capacity. The hospital administration has extended apologies to patients experiencing delays and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing specialized medical services while ensuring safe, effective, and timely care for all Barbadians.

  • Grieving Mother Demands Answers After Baby Dies at KHMH

    Grieving Mother Demands Answers After Baby Dies at KHMH

    A third tragic infant mortality has emerged from Belize’s Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), prompting serious concerns about neonatal care standards. Alicia Kuylen, a grieving mother, has publicly detailed the catastrophic final hours of her two-month-old son Damani, who passed away under distressing circumstances in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit earlier this January.

    According to Kuylen’s account, the tragedy began when she brought her infant to KHMH on January 8th following a referral from a public clinic after the child stopped feeding. What followed was an agonizing multi-hour wait without medical attention, despite the visibly distressed infant’s condition. Kuylen reports that only after other mothers in the facility demanded intervention did medical staff finally attend to her son.

    The treatment provided included a blood transfusion using donation material that was nearly a month old—29 days according to hospital staff. When Kuylen expressed concern about the safety of using blood of this age for her infant, she was assured that medical professionals had consulted and would administer injections to prevent adverse reactions to the transfusion.

    Kuylen maintained a heartbreaking vigil throughout the procedure, documenting portions on video. She describes witnessing her son become unresponsive following the transfusion and multiple injections, including five sedatives. Despite attempts at resuscitation, the infant ceased breathing and died.

    This case represents the third infant death reported from KHMH within a single week, all occurring during the same time period. Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard has acknowledged the situation and states he is investigating the matter. Neither hospital officials nor the Ministry of Health have provided formal comments despite repeated requests from news organizations.

  • PM Pushes Stronger Laws After BPO Scam Exposé

    PM Pushes Stronger Laws After BPO Scam Exposé

    In response to a groundbreaking investigative report by News Five, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño has declared current legislation insufficient to combat sophisticated financial crimes emerging from the country’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. The January 29th exposé revealed a widespread credit card scam operation involving former BPO employees who confessed to stealing sensitive financial information from international clients.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of protecting the BPO industry, which currently provides employment for over 20,000 Belizeans and contributes more than $150 million annually to the national economy through salaries alone. “We need to ensure they can feel safe operating here,” Briceño stated, acknowledging the vulnerability of both domestic and international victims.

    Despite the industry’s significant economic impact, the investigation uncovered multiple business victims and featured rare testimony from a former BPO employee who admitted to systematically stealing dozens of credit card details. This revelation has created urgent pressure for legislative reform.

    The Prime Minister’s proposed solution involves implementing targeted, tougher laws specifically designed to pursue scammers “to the full extent of the law.” He emphasized the need for comprehensive measures that would empower authorities to more effectively investigate and prosecute those exploiting the BPO infrastructure for fraudulent activities.

    This development occurs alongside other national policy discussions, including Belize’s eight-year offshore oil ban, highlighting the government’s balancing act between economic development and regulatory oversight in key industries.

  • Politic : Career Development Plan at the ONA

    Politic : Career Development Plan at the ONA

    Amidst severe socioeconomic challenges characterized by widespread business closures, escalating job insecurity, and mounting social tensions, Haiti’s National Old-Age Insurance Office (ONA) has embarked on a comprehensive modernization initiative to revitalize its operational framework and enhance institutional innovation capabilities.

    Under the leadership of Director General Ronald Bazile, who assumed office in February 2025, ONA has implemented multiple significant reforms targeting governance restructuring and workplace condition improvements. The centerpiece of this transformation is the newly established Career Development Plan (CDP), designed to elevate employee competencies through merit-based advancement, professional training, and productivity incentives.

    The CDP specifically addresses historical inequities by identifying and rectifying cases of institutional oversight, systematically eliminating favoritism practices, and ensuring optimal personnel placement according to demonstrated capabilities. Implementation is already underway with the creation of a dedicated Career Management and Training Unit responsible for monitoring professional trajectories, administering continuing education programs, and facilitating promotions based exclusively on objective criteria.

    Operational procedures involve clear phases: identification of previously overlooked employees, application processing, and formal promotion notifications. The initial cohort has already received advancement letters, with a second group scheduled to receive confirmations by month’s end. Simultaneously, scholarship applications are being processed, with several employees already experiencing status improvements correlated with academic achievements. All personnel are encouraged to utilize online tracking systems to monitor application progress.

    The reform initiative extends nationwide through awareness campaigns launched by the Training and Career Planning Unit, beginning in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area before expanding to Northern and Southern regions starting January 27. These outreach efforts aim to familiarize staff with the program’s mechanics ahead of scheduled training sessions.

    This operational shift demonstrates ONA’s transition from theoretical planning to concrete action in recognizing merit, promoting demonstrated competence, and institutionalizing equitable treatment—a transformative project poised to significantly impact thousands of employees across Haiti’s public pension system.

  • Government Renews FCD Macaw Research Permit

    Government Renews FCD Macaw Research Permit

    In a significant development for wildlife conservation, the Belizean government has officially renewed the research permit for Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) after weeks of negotiation. The resolution ends considerable uncertainty surrounding the organization’s critical macaw conservation programs.

    Prime Minister John Briceño addressed the previous delays, explaining that tensions between FCD and a private logging company operating in the same region had necessitated additional discussions. The primary concern involved safety protocols regarding research activities in areas with active logging operations.

    “We successfully mediated the situation,” stated Briceño. “FCD represents an invaluable developmental partner, and ensuring their continued operation remains a government priority. The safety concerns regarding research personnel working near logging vehicles have been satisfactorily addressed through collaborative dialogue.”

    The resolution has paved the way for an expanded government partnership with the conservation organization. Current initiatives include developing the Las Cuevas Research Station with enhanced facilities for long-term research and educational tourism. This will enable students to reside onsite while conducting field studies.

    Additionally, plans are advancing for establishing new FCD headquarters near Chalillo Dam with Belize Defence Force consent, including a visitor center to promote public engagement with conservation efforts.

    Briceño, who previously supported FCD during his tenure as minister, expressed strong personal commitment to the organization’s mission: “I maintain a vested interest in ensuring they continue their exceptional environmental stewardship. Their work aligns perfectly with our national conservation priorities.”

    The renewed partnership signals strengthened governmental support for biodiversity research and sustainable environmental management practices in Belize.