分类： society

A coalition of over 130 former Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) employees has mobilized to confront the telecommunications giant over outstanding severance packages. Organizing under the banner Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ), the group has scheduled a press conference for January 26, 2026, at the BNTU Union Hall in Belize City.

The dispute centers on BTL’s alleged refusal to honor severance obligations while simultaneously advancing its acquisition of Speednet (SMART). Workers contend this corporate maneuver primarily benefits privileged stakeholders while creating financial burdens for both taxpayers and consumers. The former employees maintain that their rightful compensation remains deliberately ignored despite their foundational role in building the company’s operational infrastructure.

Dwight Gentle, BCWJ representative and former Belize Communications Workers Union president, characterized BTL’s position as legally untenable. “The company’s pretexts for withholding severance lack substantive validity and will collapse under judicial examination,” Gentle stated.

Fellow representative Michael Augustus amplified these allegations, accusing BTL of systematically prioritizing affluent interests over worker rights. “Corporate leadership prefers enriching the Ashcroft and Briceño families rather than fulfilling contractual obligations to former employees. This constitutes both ethical failure and corporate misconduct,” Augustus asserted.

The emerging labor movement signals growing tensions between corporate expansion strategies and worker welfare in Belize’s telecommunications sector, potentially establishing precedent for future labor disputes nationwide.

BELIZE CITY – A profound sense of loss has enveloped the Valerio family following the tragic killing of 35-year-old security guard Darwin Valerio during an armed assault at a Belize Water Services facility. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 23, 2026, at the utility company’s Lord’s Bank Village warehouse, has raised serious concerns about security protocols for night-shift workers.

Esmith Valerio, the victim’s grieving mother, remembered her son as an exemplary individual whose life was defined by compassion. “My son embodied humility and respectability. His existence centered on love – an unwavering devotion to his family,” she expressed through her sorrow.

The fatal confrontation unfolded approximately at 1:05 a.m. when unidentified assailants forcibly entered the secured compound and initiated gunfire. Despite immediate medical transport to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Valerio succumbed to multiple ballistic injuries sustained during the attack.

Investigative authorities initially reported that Valerio had left his post to conduct perimeter checks when ambushed. Revised accounts from Belize Water Services indicate the security officer was actually stationed alone within the guard booth after his colleague had departed for routine patrols.

Hayden Brown, Chief Human Resource Officer for BWS, clarified operational procedures: “Standard protocol involves coordinated communication between guards during shift rotations. Our preliminary understanding suggests the assault occurred during such a transitional period.”

The Valerio family has placed their trust in judicial authorities to deliver accountability. Domingo Valerio, the deceased’s father, stated: “We await police findings. Ultimately, divine justice will prevail if earthly systems fail.”

Belize Water Services has initiated a comprehensive review of security measures across all facilities while providing law enforcement with complete access to surveillance recordings. Company representatives confirmed the organization remains deeply affected by the incident and is providing full support to both the investigation and the bereaved family.

The Belize Police Department has published its official crime statistics for 2025, revealing a modest 1% reduction in major criminal offenses. The annual data release occurred without the customary CompStat media briefing that typically accompanies such reports, marking a significant departure from established transparency protocols.

According to the newly released figures, total major crimes decreased from 1,098 incidents in the previous reporting period to 1,086 cases. The report indicates slight reductions across multiple categories including homicide, burglary, theft, and unlawful sexual intercourse. Despite this overall decline, burglary continues to dominate criminal activity with 597 reported cases, maintaining its position as the nation’s most prevalent crime. The statistics also revealed substantial improvement in road safety, with traffic fatalities dropping dramatically from 126 to 94.

The absence of the traditional CompStat briefing, which normally facilitates media questioning and detailed analysis of law enforcement strategies, has raised concerns about transparency. These presentations typically serve as accountability mechanisms, allowing for public scrutiny of police performance and crime trend explanations.

Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado had previously defended the CompStat system as an essential accountability instrument that “reinforces accountability, enables data-driven planning and evaluation and management of operational strategies.” His recent absence from public events had sparked speculation about his relationship with media representatives, which he had previously denied distancing himself from.

Newly appointed Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira voiced support for police efforts, stating: “Hard work and dedication by the police department and those investigators have resulted in positive arrests and charges. We must ensure the public understands we possess the capacity and are working diligently to resolve these issues.”

The Police Department is anticipated to conduct its first-quarter CompStat briefing later this year, with media advocates urging a return to traditional transparency standards that align with public expectations for governmental accountability.

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) has confirmed the passing of Brother George Frazer, a foundational pillar of their organization and a towering figure in the nation’s labor movement. Celebrated for his formidable advocacy, Frazer earned the moniker ‘The Lion’ through decades of relentless campaigning for workers’ rights.

Frazer’s nearly 30-year tenure with the BNTU, concluding with his retirement from active leadership in 2012, was characterized by strategic strikes, protests, and negotiation campaigns that fundamentally transformed Belize’s labor environment. His philosophy was deeply rooted in principles of equality and justice, famously encapsulated in his 2012 statement to News 5: ‘God love all ah wi and wi must treat each other di way we want dehn treat wi.’

His activism extended beyond the teaching community to embrace the struggles of municipal workers, farmers, and other marginalized labor groups. A significant moment in his career came in 2008 when he and the BNTU levied criticism against the Ministry of Education for allegedly transferring teachers for political motives, arguing such actions compromised educational standards and procedural integrity.

Frazer’s contributions were recognized at the highest levels. In 2008, he received the Meritorious Service Award for his profound impact on education and labor. His influence also reached international arenas, having represented Belize in labor and educational dialogues across over thirty countries. A 2011 tribute by the Collet Division, which named a street in his honor, was briefly marred by vandalism but stood as a testament to his local esteem.

The BNTU’s announcement emphasized that Frazer’s legacy is not confined to past achievements but will persist through the enduring principles he championed and the multitude of lives he influenced. The union expressed profound condolences to his family and friends, concluding with a call to honor his memory by persevering in the pursuit of the righteous causes he so fervently advanced.