作者： admin

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – January 27, 2026 – Tensions erupted into outright chaos today at the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) compound as protesters breached security barriers in vehement opposition to a proposed $80 million corporate acquisition. The demonstration, initially organized by United Democratic Party (UDP) supporters and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), rapidly escalated beyond control.

What began as a structured protest degenerated into pandemonium when UDP adherents, spearheaded by prominent member Brian ‘Yellow Man’ Audinett, forcefully bypassed the main entrance and overwhelmed police barricades. Law enforcement personnel deployed pepper spray in a largely unsuccessful attempt to stem the surging crowd, resulting in a tense, ten-minute standoff at the building’s entrance.

Amid the turmoil, Mesopotamia Area Representative Lee Mark Chang positioned himself between the advancing protesters and police lines, vocally advocating for calm and order. The situation only de-escalated when UDP Leader Tracy Panton intervened directly, urging her supporters to withdraw and declaring their protest objectives successfully achieved.

The core grievance driving today’s events centers on BTL’s impending provisional approval to acquire telecommunications competitor Speednet. As a publicly-owned entity, this proposed merger has sparked significant public outcry and allegations of governmental corruption.

In statements to the press, Leader Panton asserted that the demonstration successfully postponed the BTL board’s decision-making meeting, while simultaneously vowing continued resistance against the administration, which she labeled ‘the most corrupt.’ When questioned about potential legal consequences for her supporters’ actions, Panton unequivocally stated, ‘We got their back.’

The incident underscores deepening political and social fractures regarding corporate governance and public asset management in Belize, setting the stage for further confrontations.

In a tense confrontation at the BTL headquarters on January 27, 2026, Area Representative Lee Mark Chang became an unexpected peacemaker by physically positioning himself between agitated protesters and the building’s entrance. The demonstration, organized to oppose a controversial deal between the government and BTL members, had escalated to the brink of violence as protesters attempted to push inside the facility.

Chang, representing the Mesopotamia constituency, articulated his rationale for intervention during an exchange with journalist Paul Lopez. ‘We must ensure we do not transform our legitimate rights into wrongful actions,’ Chang emphasized. ‘Our purpose is to demonstrate and communicate our demands to the government and BTL leadership—specifically, we demand greater transparency and access to information regarding this deal.’

The representative underscored his commitment to non-violence despite the charged atmosphere. ‘While we possess the right to demonstrate, we do not have the right to destroy property or storm buildings,’ he stated. His intervention occurred precisely as protesters breached the compound perimeter, potentially escalating the situation further.

When questioned about his specific messaging to the frontline demonstrators, Chang reiterated his philosophical approach: ‘Do not make your right a wrong.’ This principle guided his successful de-escalation efforts, preventing what could have developed into a destructive confrontation. The protest highlights growing public demand for governmental and corporate transparency in business dealings affecting community interests.

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.