作者: admin

  • BTL Bets Big on Speednet While Cable Deals Crumble

    BTL Bets Big on Speednet While Cable Deals Crumble

    In a significant consolidation move within Belize’s telecommunications sector, state-owned Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is advancing with an ambitious $80 million acquisition of Speednet Communications. This strategic play unfolds against a backdrop of failed negotiations with two other local providers, highlighting contrasting fortunes in the nation’s media landscape.

    The transaction structure, confirmed by the Office of Lord Ashcroft, involves a $10 million cash payment with the remaining $70 million financed through four-year loan notes. The Waterloo Group Charitable Trust, Speednet’s majority stakeholder, has emphasized full transparency regarding ownership, explicitly stating that Lord Ashcroft maintains no economic interest in the trust.

    BTL’s leadership anticipates substantial operational benefits from the merger, projecting enhanced cash flow generation and significant reduction in redundant expenditures. A particularly valuable advantage involves gaining complete control over inbound roaming rates—a financial adjustment potentially worth tens of millions to the Belizean economy. Company executives indicate these savings will be strategically reinvested into next-generation technological infrastructure, crucial for competing with emerging satellite services like Starlink.

    Consumer assurances form a key part of BTL’s public messaging, with commitments to uninterrupted service and potential price reductions pending regulatory authorization from Belize’s Public Utilities Commission.

    This forward momentum contrasts sharply with recently abandoned acquisition attempts involving Centaur Communications and Central TV & Internet. Representatives from these firms cited insurmountable political, media, and reputational pressures—rather than financial terms—as decisive factors undermining commercially viable agreements.

    The diverging outcomes raise fundamental questions about market dynamics, transparency protocols, and telecommunications sovereignty in Belize. As BTL’s consolidation effort progresses, intensified public scrutiny and rigorous regulatory review appear inevitable. The emerging debate centers on whether industry integration will ultimately drive efficiency and innovation or constrict consumer choice and market competition.

  • Cabinet Yet to Be Briefed on BTL Negotiations

    Cabinet Yet to Be Briefed on BTL Negotiations

    In a significant development for Belize’s telecommunications sector, Centaur Communications has formally terminated acquisition negotiations with Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). The proposed $170 million deal to acquire the Centaur Group of Companies collapsed despite acknowledging potential commercial and strategic advantages.

    Centaur’s representative Jaime Briceño communicated the decision to BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga in a formal letter, citing political pressures and reputational concerns as primary factors. Briceño emphasized that financial considerations were not the determining factor, but rather the external political environment and personal toll on stakeholders involved in the protracted negotiations.

    The acquisition’s controversial nature stems from BTL’s unique ownership structure, with nearly half of the company being government-owned. This has raised questions about transparency and proper disclosure procedures. Immigration Minister Kareem Musa revealed that the cabinet had not yet been formally briefed on the negotiation details, though he anticipated the matter would be addressed in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.

    Minister Musa acknowledged intense scrutiny from both media and civil society, stating that full public disclosure is essential given the transaction’s magnitude and government involvement. He noted that Prime Minister John Briceño has recused himself from discussions due to family interests in the involved companies, though Minister Musa clarified that the Prime Minister himself holds no direct ownership.

    The minister expressed reservations about forming a position on the acquisition, citing insufficient familiarity with technical details and emphasizing the need to consider technological evolution and international competition in any telecommunications sector decisions.

  • Media Owners Warn BTL-Speednet Deal Threatens Press Freedom

    Media Owners Warn BTL-Speednet Deal Threatens Press Freedom

    BELIZE CITY – Prominent independent media proprietors have issued a stark warning regarding the proposed acquisition of Speednet by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), asserting that the consolidation poses an existential threat to press freedom and democratic discourse in the nation.

    During an urgent press conference convened on Monday, the owners of Channel 7, Plus TV, and XTV (formerly Krem Television) presented a unified front against the telecommunications merger. They articulated grave concerns that the transaction would concentrate excessive control over critical communication infrastructure within a single entity, potentially enabling censorship and undermining media independence.

    Jules Vasquez, proprietor of Channel 7, delivered a forceful condemnation of the proposed arrangement. “This path is fraught with dangers for free speech, freedom of expression, and the free press,” Vasquez asserted. “It is fundamentally unlawful for a handful of government-appointed BTL board members to unilaterally determine the telecommunications future of our entire nation through closed-door decisions that will profoundly impact how citizens connect with each other and the global community.”

    Mose Hyde of XTV echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the crucial role of competition in maintaining media diversity. “The very reason viewers can choose between morning and evening programming across different channels is because healthy competition exists within our ecosystem,” Hyde explained. “We speak from traumatic experience regarding the dangers of concentrated control over vital telecommunications infrastructure. While this is undoubtedly about self-preservation for independent media outlets, it is equally about defending the public’s right to choice and diversity in information sources.”

    The media executives emphasized that their opposition stems from both professional self-interest and broader public concern, noting that competitive telecommunications markets foster progressive development and protect democratic values. Their collective stance represents an unusual show of unity among typically competitive media entities, underscoring the perceived severity of the threat.

    This development occurs amidst ongoing national discussions about media independence and corporate consolidation in Belize’s telecommunications sector, which remains fundamental to information dissemination and public discourse.

  • Louis Wade Questions BTL’s Role in Smart Sale

    Louis Wade Questions BTL’s Role in Smart Sale

    In a striking commentary on January 12, 2026, prominent media executive Louis Wade, owner of Plus TV, voiced substantial concerns regarding Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) prospective acquisition of Smart. While explicitly affirming his support for the sellers’ prerogative to divest their private enterprise, Wade directed pointed criticism toward the prospective buyer. He characterized BTL as a historically monopolistic entity with a demonstrable record of poor stewardship within the open marketplace of ideas. Wade’s critique traversed BTL’s entire operational history, referencing its phases under government ownership, the controversial ‘golden share’ era, and its current structure, which he describes as a ‘government-owned private entity.’ He contends this blurred ownership model means it fundamentally remains a public instrument, thereby posing a significant threat to principles of fair competition and market transparency. This perspective adds a critical voice to a story receiving extensive coverage from outlets like Greater Belize Media, which has been reporting on the negotiations by incorporating viewpoints from the broader business community, independent senators, and trade unions.

  • Kyron Armstrong Gunned Down in Targeted Attack

    Kyron Armstrong Gunned Down in Targeted Attack

    BELIZE CITY – A brutal targeted shooting has claimed the life of a 28-year-old security guard in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the local community. Kyron Dwayne Armstrong, a Belizean resident of Fabers Road Extension, was fatally gunned down while stationed inside a security booth at Constitution Park on Cemetery Road this past Saturday.

    The tragedy unfolded at approximately 1:00 PM on January 10, 2026, when precinct officers responded to emergency reports of active gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered Armstrong suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Despite being rapidly transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for emergency medical attention, Armstrong succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

    According to Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, Staff Officer with the Belize City police, preliminary investigations indicate this was a premeditated attack. The assailant, whose identity remains concealed by a motorcycle helmet, approached the security booth and fired several shots at Armstrong at close range before making a swift escape on a motorcycle.

    Disturbingly, authorities revealed that Armstrong had previously been interviewed by police following an earlier attempted shooting incident in December 2025, suggesting the possibility of a sustained targeting campaign. Criminal investigators have secured multiple surveillance footage recordings capturing activities both preceding and during the violent incident, which are currently undergoing meticulous forensic analysis in pursuit of identifying the perpetrator.

  • Camalote Man Charged in Belmopan Daylight Murder

    Camalote Man Charged in Belmopan Daylight Murder

    Belmopan, Belize – January 12, 2026 – Belizean authorities have formally arrested and charged 25-year-old Wilhem Coye in connection with the shocking daylight murder of delivery truck driver Mark Anthony Gabourel. The incident has sent ripples through the community, prompting discussions about implementing reward systems for criminal tips.

    Coye, identified as a laborer from Camalote Village in the Cayo District, now remains detained at Belize Central Prison facing murder charges. The arrest follows an intensive investigation into the brazen attack that occurred on January 9, 2026.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, confirmed the developments in an official statement: ‘Police have arrested and charged Wilhem Coye for the crime of murder. Our investigations and the retrieval of evidentiary items supported this law enforcement action.’

    Law enforcement officials have revealed that a second individual remains in custody regarding the homicide investigation. Authorities have indicated they will provide updates on this secondary suspect’s status as the investigation progresses. The case continues to develop as police work to reconstruct the events leading to Gabourel’s death and determine possible motives behind the daylight violence that has unsettled the Belmopan community.

  • GI3 Busts Two Belize City Youths with Unlicensed Gun

    GI3 Busts Two Belize City Youths with Unlicensed Gun

    In a targeted anti-crime initiative in Belize City’s Rio Bravo district, law enforcement officials have apprehended two young men for illegal firearm possession. The operation, conducted on January 9, 2026, resulted in the discovery of a concealed nine-millimeter Taurus pistol loaded with six live rounds of ammunition.

    According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, who serves as Staff Officer, the arrest occurred when officers noticed suspicious behavior from two individuals on a residential veranda. “The arresting officer reported that his attention was drawn to two male persons who were on the veranda of a residence,” stated ASP Smith. “Upon approaching these male persons, he observed certain conduct and a search was conducted in that area.”

    The subsequent inspection revealed the firearm partially concealed beneath a gas tank on the property. After forensic processing by crime scene technicians, the weapon was confirmed as an operational nine-millimeter Taurus pistol with ammunition.

    Charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition are nineteen-year-old Kaleem Williams and eighteen-year-old Tayshaun Duran. Both suspects now face serious weapons charges under Belizean law, highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Gang Suppression Unit (GI3) to combat illicit weapons circulation in urban communities.

    The seizure represents another success in the Belize Police Department’s continued campaign against armed criminal activity in high-risk neighborhoods, where unlicensed firearms remain a persistent challenge to public safety.

  • Guatemalan Nationals Nabbed With Prohibited Rounds

    Guatemalan Nationals Nabbed With Prohibited Rounds

    In a significant law enforcement operation, two Guatemalan nationals are now in custody following a dramatic high-speed pursuit through Belize’s Cayo District. The incident, which culminated in the discovery of prohibited ammunition, unfolded on the afternoon of January 9, 2026.

    The operation began when customs officials initiated a pursuit of a black Toyota Hilux pickup truck along Hydro Road. Members of the Mobile Interdiction Unit (MIU), who were conducting routine patrols in the area, observed the chase and subsequently intercepted the vehicle at approximately 3:45 p.m.

    During a systematic search of the intercepted vehicle, authorities discovered fourteen live rounds of .40 caliber ammunition—a type expressly banned under Belizean law. The suspects, identified as 50-year-old Nestor Galdamez and 30-year-old Eduardo Galdamez, both claimed to be legitimate business operators with proper firearm licenses issued in Guatemala.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, who serves as Staff Officer, clarified the legal implications: “By Belizean statute, individuals entering the country with firearms or ammunition of prohibited calibers must immediately surrender these items at the nearest police station upon entry. The .40 caliber weaponry falls squarely within this prohibited category.”

    The two men have been formally arrested and charged with possession of prohibited ammunition. Their claims of legitimate business purposes and Guatemalan licensing remain under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the transportation of illegal ammunition across international borders.

    This case highlights the ongoing challenges of cross-border security and weapon regulation enforcement in Central America, particularly concerning differences in national firearms legislation between neighboring countries.

  • Police Mourn Constable Killed in Highway Crash

    Police Mourn Constable Killed in Highway Crash

    The Belize Police Department is grappling with profound grief following the tragic loss of Constable Edwardo Cus in a fatal highway accident on Sunday night. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. near mile two on the Philip Goldson Highway, where emergency responders discovered the fatally injured officer separated from both his motorcycle and protective helmet.

    According to preliminary investigative findings from ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer of the Belize Police Department, Constable Cus was traveling toward Belize City when he suddenly lost control of his motorcycle. The vehicle subsequently collided with a metal lamppost situated on the highway median, resulting in catastrophic injuries.

    Despite rapid response from emergency services, medical personnel pronounced Constable Cus deceased at the scene due to severe traumatic injuries sustained in the impact. The four-year veteran of the police force is remembered by department leadership as exceptionally dedicated and committed to his duties.

    ASP Smith confirmed that both the ministry and police department are collectively mourning the unexpected tragedy, emphasizing that despite his relatively brief tenure, Constable Cus had established himself as an exemplary officer. The investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the accident remains ongoing as authorities work to determine contributing factors to the devastating incident.

  • Driver Trapped After Collision at Beaver Dam Bridge

    Driver Trapped After Collision at Beaver Dam Bridge

    A severe collision on the George Price Highway has triggered urgent road safety concerns following a near-fatal incident involving a freight truck and an SUV. The crash occurred at approximately 8:15 PM on Friday at the Beaver Dam Bridge, one of Belize’s busiest transit corridors.

    According to police reports, Raymond Martinez was operating a Freightliner truck equipped with an industrial-sized plow attachment that was fully extended across the bridge span. Traveling in the opposite direction, 34-year-old Monique Williams approached in her silver Nissan Rogue SUV. The vehicles collided when Williams’s SUV became lodged beneath the extended plow apparatus.

    The impact resulted in significant damage to the SUV’s roof structure where the plow disc became embedded. Emergency responders discovered Williams trapped inside the vehicle with visible head and bodily injuries. Rescue teams executed a complex extraction operation to free the injured driver before transporting her to a medical facility. Authorities confirmed Williams remains in stable condition following treatment.

    Police have initiated criminal proceedings against Martinez, issuing a formal notice of intended prosecution related to the incident. The investigation continues as authorities examine whether proper safety protocols were followed regarding the plow’s deployment on public roadways. This incident has sparked renewed discussions about industrial vehicle regulations and infrastructure safety measures on high-traffic highways.