分类： business

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.

Centaur Communications Corp. Ltd has formally withdrawn from acquisition negotiations with Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), concluding nearly a decade of intermittent discussions. The company announced its decision on January 12, 2026, citing significant external factors that ultimately overshadowed the transaction’s commercial merits.

In an official public statement, Centaur revealed that dialogue regarding a potential acquisition commenced in 2017 under previous leadership structures and continued through subsequent administrative changes. Despite acknowledging the strategic and financial benefits of the proposed merger, the company identified mounting political and reputational considerations that compelled termination of negotiations.

‘From a commercial and strategic standpoint, Centaur remains confident that the proposed transaction presented clear mutual financial and operational merits,’ the company stated. However, it emphasized that ‘broader external considerations’ necessitated discontinuing discussions at this time.

The telecommunications provider highlighted its substantial infrastructure assets, including a comprehensive fibre-optic network extending from the Mexican border to Belize City. The company currently delivers broadband coverage to over 90% of Northern Belize’s towns and communities, with internet and related services now constituting more than 90% of total revenue.

Centaur expressed appreciation for BTL’s interest and the professional nature of negotiations throughout the evaluation process. The decision underscores how external market forces and political climates can influence corporate consolidation attempts even when transactions demonstrate clear business logic.

A critical alert from Chon Saan Palace has exposed a severe security breach within Belize’s vital call center sector. The company’s official Facebook statement revealed that certain agents are allegedly engaging in fraudulent activities by utilizing stolen client credit card information to conduct unauthorized transactions.

This malpractice represents more than individual misconduct—it threatens the very foundation of Belize’s outsourcing industry. The company’s warning highlighted how such data security violations directly contravene the stringent protection standards demanded by international partners. Failure to maintain these security protocols places Belizean call centers at imminent risk of losing crucial overseas contracts.

Beyond immediate contractual concerns, Chon Saan Palace outlined the potentially devastating ripple effects. Should international clients withdraw their business due to security concerns, the consequences would extend throughout the national economy. Call center operations might face complete shutdowns or relocation to more secure destinations, creating widespread unemployment among the thousands of Belizeans currently employed in this sector.

The company emphasized the industry’s indispensable role in Belize’s economic landscape and issued a direct appeal to all industry professionals. Employees were urged to demonstrate utmost responsibility in handling sensitive financial data and maintain ethical standards that preserve Belize’s hard-earned reputation as a reliable outsourcing destination.

Chon Saan Palace’s statement concluded with a stark warning: “If call centers leave Belize, everyone loses,” emphasizing collective responsibility in safeguarding both the industry and the nation’s economic stability.

In a significant setback for Belize’s telecommunications consolidation efforts, Central TV & Internet Ltd. has become the second company to withdraw from acquisition negotiations with state-owned Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). The decision was formally communicated to BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga through a letter citing mounting reputational concerns and media attacks unrelated to the commercial merits of the proposed deal.

Pedro Lizarraga, Chairman of Central TV & Internet Ltd., revealed that his company had engaged in discussions with BTL for over seven years before reluctantly considering a sale based on what was described as a ‘fair value’ proposition. The company had even proposed a payment arrangement structured around projected revenue enhancements that the consolidation would generate for BTL.

The withdrawal follows a similar exit by Centaur Communications Corp. Ltd. and occurs amidst growing opposition to BTL’s ambitious $170 million acquisition plan. The controversial proposal has already triggered significant repercussions, including the resignation of Social Security Board Chair Chandra Nisbet-Cansino from the BTL board last Friday. Both the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and independent senators have called for a complete halt to the consolidation process.

Central TV & Internet Ltd.’s statement emphasized that while they recognized potential benefits including enhanced revenue generation, economies of scale, optimized network utilization, and substantial cost savings, the negative media environment and personal attacks had ultimately made continued negotiations untenable.

Centaur Communications Corp. Ltd. has terminated negotiations for its proposed acquisition by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), marking a sudden collapse of what was considered a strategically significant corporate transaction. The decision was formally communicated through a letter dated January 11, 2026, from Centaur’s representative Jaime Briceño to BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga.

Despite acknowledging the transaction’s strong commercial merits, Centaur cited external political pressures and potential reputational damage as primary reasons for withdrawal. Briceño’s correspondence emphasized that the abandonment was not motivated by financial reassessment or valuation concerns, but rather by broader contextual factors that emerged during negotiation proceedings.

The company statement revealed that after extensive deliberation and consultation, leadership determined that continuing negotiations would impose disproportionate personal and reputational burdens on involved parties. While the acquisition promised substantial operational synergies and long-term stakeholder value, Centaur concluded the political climate rendered the timing inappropriate for such a strategic move.

This development represents a significant setback for BTL’s expansion strategy and highlights how external political considerations can override sound business rationale in corporate acquisitions. The withdrawal demonstrates increasing corporate sensitivity to political environments and reputational risks in merger and acquisition activities within regulated industries.