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Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño has issued a strong defense of his Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat’s position regarding the proposed telecommunications merger involving Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). The Prime Minister’s statements come following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting where the controversial consolidation was discussed.

Minister Chebat previously asserted that the market consolidation would not create a monopoly, highlighting the existence of approximately twenty-three broadband providers currently operating within Belize’s telecommunications landscape. Prime Minister Briceño expanded on this position with a stark warning about BTL’s financial trajectory.

“Taxpayers invested almost seven hundred million dollars in BTL,” stated Briceño, “and if they do not make changes it is going to crash.” The Prime Minister revealed concerning internal projections showing the company’s growth flatlining for the next five years without consolidation, while operational costs continue to escalate.

The government maintains that the proposed merger with Smart is fundamentally about creating operational efficiencies rather than market domination. Briceño emphasized that broadband services remain accessible through numerous competitors, contradicting monopoly concerns raised by critics.

In response to questions about regulatory oversight, the Prime Minister confirmed plans to strengthen the Public Utilities Commission’s role and amend existing legislation where necessary. However, he reiterated that the primary objective remains preventing the collapse of a significant public investment and protecting stakeholders including Social Security and Belizean taxpayers.

The administration’s unified stance signals a determined approach to telecommunications reform, framing the merger as an economic imperative rather than merely a market restructuring exercise.

Amid mounting public scrutiny, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is vigorously defending its proposed merger with Speednet, asserting that operational efficiency through consolidation represents the only viable path forward. BTL Chairman Mark Lizarraga presented a stark choice to Belizean consumers: embrace the merger or face potential reductions in dividends, infrastructure investment, and consumer benefits.

In an exclusive interview, Lizarraga emphasized the enormous financial demands of maintaining and expanding telecommunications infrastructure in Belize’s small market. “Technology has a very short lifespan and they’re very expensive,” stated Lizarraga, highlighting the economic challenges of serving a limited population base without achieving greater operational efficiencies.

The chairman outlined BTL’s dual commitment to both national development and consumer protection, noting the company’s pledge to maintain current pricing structures for at least two years regardless of the merger outcome. However, Lizarraga warned that without the proposed consolidation, BTL’s ability to expand services, lower prices, and maintain existing infrastructure would be severely compromised.

Lizarraga positioned the merger as fundamentally connected to Belize’s broader digital transformation agenda, arguing that the telecommunications efficiencies gained would directly enable national progress. The chairman’s remarks come as public debate intensifies regarding the potential market consolidation and its implications for consumer choice and pricing in Belize’s telecommunications sector.

In the wake of recent warnings about operational sustainability, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has articulated its strategic rationale for acquiring competitor Speednet, emphasizing significant efficiency gains rather than immediate financial figures. Chairman Mark Lizarraga presented the case that BTL’s existing infrastructure could absorb Speednet’s customer base with minimal additional expenditure, creating substantial operational synergies.

The proposed merger, according to Lizarraga, represents a strategic move to enhance telecommunications efficiency in Belize without necessitating price increases or workforce reductions. The chairman emphasized that BTL’s current network capacity remains underutilized and could accommodate Speednet’s subscribers with virtually no incremental costs, thereby generating substantial savings.

These efficiency gains, Lizarraga argued, would produce multifaceted benefits for multiple stakeholders. Consumers would benefit from maintained pricing structures, employees would see job security reinforced, and shareholders would value the improved operational metrics. Furthermore, the chairman positioned the acquisition as critical for national interests, noting that enhanced telecommunications efficiency would strengthen Belize’s competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

Lizarraga highlighted the indispensable nature of reliable internet services for modern economic activities, particularly referencing how Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors and other employment channels depend on robust digital infrastructure. The integration would theoretically create a more economically efficient telecommunications environment that supports national productivity.

Despite these asserted advantages, the proposal remains subject to scrutiny as BTL has not disclosed specific financial projections or detailed cost-saving calculations. The absence of quantifiable metrics leaves unanswered questions regarding the precise economic impact and potential market implications of creating a consolidated telecommunications entity in Belize’s relatively compact market.

Belize’s ambitious initiative to transfer public ownership of its key hydroelectric provider to private investors has yielded remarkable financial results, significantly exceeding initial governmental projections. Preliminary data reveals an overwhelming response to the share offering of Hydro Belize Limited, with domestic applicants seeking approximately 4.5 million shares despite only 4 million being initially available. With shares priced at $29 Belize dollars each, this demonstrates substantial market confidence totaling over $130 million in demand.

The investor landscape comprises a diverse mix of nearly 2,000 individual citizens alongside more than sixty corporate entities and major institutional participants. Notable institutional interest came from credit unions, pension funds, and the Social Security Board, reflecting broad-based confidence in the nation’s energy infrastructure.

In response to the exceptional demand, government authorities have announced they will allocate additional shares from their reserved portion to satisfy all applications. This strategic decision results in the state relinquishing a larger equity stake than originally envisioned in the privatization roadmap.

The transformation continues beyond this initial public offering. Hydro Belize has outlined plans to issue new corporate bonds specifically designed to repurchase the government’s remaining shares. This financial maneuver would culminate in complete privatization by the targeted date of February 28, 2026, should the schedule proceed without complications.

Hydro Belize, previously operating as Fortis Belize, represents a critical component of the nation’s energy infrastructure. The company manages three hydroelectric facilities situated on the Macal River, generating up to 51.2 megawatts of electricity. This output constitutes approximately 30-35% of Belize’s total electricity supply, making the transfer of ownership fundamentally significant for national energy security.

This transaction transcends conventional corporate restructuring, representing a strategic shift in the ownership model of essential national infrastructure with far-reaching implications for Belize’s economic and energy future.

In a significant policy shift, the Belizean government has officially removed price controls on prepackaged retail sugar, a move defended by Prime Minister John Briceño as beneficial for sugarcane farmers. The new regulations create a clear distinction between bulk sugar sold by weight, which remains under strict price control, and branded, pre-packaged sugar products now open to market competition.

Prime Minister Briceño clarified the policy framework during a recent press engagement: “What we have done is that with sugar being sold in bag that they weigh for you, that is being controlled. What is not controlled is the one packaged, with the label and all of that—one-pound, five-pound bags. That is not controlled and that is open to anybody who wants to package.”

The policy change enables multiple market participants—including Santander Sugar, local entrepreneurs, and even cane farmers themselves—to package and sell sugar directly to consumers. This deregulation represents a substantial departure from previous market restrictions that limited packaging operations primarily to Belize Sugar Industries (BSI).

When questioned about Santander’s potential dominance in local markets, PM Briceño acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding the company’s future role. Santander, which is developing sugar refining capabilities expected to become operational within one to two years, has expressed interest in accessing the domestic market.

The Prime Minister firmly rejected concerns that market liberalization might disadvantage local cane growers (caneros), stating: “Whenever we sell sugar on the local market the caneros benefit.” He emphasized that farmers retain the option to package and market their own sugar, potentially capturing additional value from the supply chain previously retained by processors.

This policy revision fundamentally alters Belize’s sugar market dynamics, introducing competitive packaging opportunities while maintaining consumer protections for traditionally weighed sugar purchases.