Carib Scope

标签： Belize

伯利兹

  • Musa Weighs in After Chaotic BTL Protest

    Musa Weighs in After Chaotic BTL Protest

    BELIZE CITY – In the aftermath of Tuesday’s contentious demonstrations at Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) headquarters, Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa has characterized the events as evidence of a vibrant democracy rather than civil unrest. The protest, which saw participants breach police barricades and enter company premises, drew condemnation from BTL management who decried the actions as unlawful trespassing.

    Musa, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, offered a contrasting perspective to the telecommunications company’s position. “I think it was a good demonstration of a healthy democracy,” stated the government official. “The protest was primarily led by the United Democratic Party with participation from several labor unions. While not entirely peaceful, overall it represented a legitimate expression of dissenting views.”

    The demonstration has highlighted growing tensions between the Briceño administration and multiple sectors of Belizean society. When questioned about Cabinet’s silence regarding widespread opposition from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and Independent Senators, Musa defended the government’s position.

    He explained that Cabinet deliberately refrained from public commentary to avoid perceptions of influencing BTL’s board decisions. “Some media houses have suggested the Prime Minister is influencing the board’s decision,” Musa noted. “It is crucial that Cabinet does not interfere with the board members’ independent decision-making process. We will announce our position after consultations have concluded.”

    The government’s measured response suggests a strategic approach to balancing democratic expression with institutional integrity, setting the stage for continued dialogue between stakeholders in this developing political situation.

  • BTL Deal Raises Political Déjà Vu for PUP

    BTL Deal Raises Political Déjà Vu for PUP

    The Briceño administration confronts mounting political pressure as its handling of the BTL-Speednet acquisition evokes memories of the telecom controversies that contributed to the PUP’s 2008 electoral defeat. With opposition groups mobilizing street demonstrations, government officials acknowledge the potential for history to repeat itself just one year into their second term.

    Minister Kareem Musa, Area Representative for Caribbean Shores, conceded the political reality facing the ruling party. “That is a reality we have to consider as politicians,” Musa stated, acknowledging that the situation “definitely weighs on every politician’s mind at this critical juncture.”

    The minister emphasized that the final decision regarding the telecommunications deal rests not with elected officials but with the board, while simultaneously recognizing the need to voice concerns given substantial public pushback.

    As the United Democratic Party (UDP) promises escalating protest actions, labeling current demonstrations as merely “phase one,” Minister Musa characterized the opposition’s turnout as a “decent showing” while expressing skepticism about their capacity to sustain momentum through multiple phases of activism.

    Despite the political challenges, Musa framed the opposition mobilization as ultimately beneficial for Belizean democracy. “It is important for a healthy democracy that we have a strong, vibrant opposition,” he remarked, adding that dissenting views expressed through demonstrations should be viewed as “a positive thing.”

    The government’s response reflects the delicate balance between addressing public concerns and maintaining procedural integrity in the controversial telecommunications arrangement, all while navigating the specter of historical political consequences.

  • Elderly Dementia Patient Left Homeless Following House Fire

    Elderly Dementia Patient Left Homeless Following House Fire

    A devastating house fire in Belize City has left a seventy-nine-year-old dementia patient hospitalized and homeless, exposing the challenges faced by family caregivers. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon on Rio Bravo Crescent in the Faber’s Road Extension area, completely destroying the small metal residence and all possessions within.

    Kenneth Flowers, who lives with dementia, suffered significant burns across his face, torso, and arms when a gas explosion erupted as he attempted to prepare tea. Fire investigators determined the blaze originated from a faulty connection between a stove and a gas tank that had been deliberately disconnected for safety reasons.

    His daughter, Andrea Flowers-Sanchez, who serves as his primary caregiver, had temporarily left the home to acquire food when the catastrophe unfolded. She revealed to reporters that she had explicitly disconnected the gas tank and informed her father it was empty, but his cognitive condition led him to attempt reconnecting the apparatus independently.

    The emotional toll of caregiving was palpable as Flowers-Sanchez described the daily challenges of supporting a parent with dementia. “It’s hard in the sense that I don’t have real knowledge of dementia,” she explained. “Day by day I try to learn or read up to help him. Sometimes I lose him—he gets out of bed and wanders the street. It really hard because you deprived of your rest, but for my dad, I have to do it.”

    The family had resided in the home for less than two years, having received the property as a donation from Pickstock Area Representative Anthony Mahler. They were gradually making improvements to their living situation before the fire reduced their progress to ashes.

    While community members have donated clothing, the family urgently requires furniture—particularly a bed—as Kenneth Flowers currently sleeps on a sofa while recovering from his injuries. Despite the trauma, Flowers maintains perspective: “It gone fair enough. I’m still alive so it’s fair enough.”

    The incident has highlighted the precarious circumstances facing dementia patients and their caregivers in Belize, particularly regarding home safety and support systems for families managing cognitive disabilities.

  • Devastating Corozal Fire Destroys Family Home

    Devastating Corozal Fire Destroys Family Home

    A devastating fire has completely destroyed a family home in the Finca Solana area of Corozal District, Belize, leaving two brothers with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The blaze erupted on Tuesday, consuming the small wooden structure before firefighters could contain it. While crews successfully prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring properties, the residence was already fully engulfed upon their arrival.

    Homeowner German Edel Zetina, who was at work in Belize at the time, received the tragic news from his sister. He returned to find his entire home and possessions reduced to ashes. In an emotional interview, Zetina confirmed that the cause remains undetermined, with authorities awaiting the official fire investigation report.

    The brothers have lost all their belongings, including clothing, furniture, appliances, and personal items. Zetina has made a public appeal for assistance, specifically requesting building materials and financial support for labor costs to reconstruct their home. The community now faces the challenge of helping the displaced family rebuild their lives from complete devastation.

  • Labor Minister: CCJ Has Ruled, BTL Must Pay Severance to Workers

    Labor Minister: CCJ Has Ruled, BTL Must Pay Severance to Workers

    Belize’s Labor Minister Kareem Musa has issued a definitive statement supporting telecommunications workers in their protracted severance dispute with Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). The conflict reached its legal conclusion through the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which delivered a binding ruling requiring the company to fulfill its severance obligations.

    Minister Musa addressed journalists on Wednesday, emphasizing the finality of the regional court’s decision. “This matter has been ventilated all the way to the CCJ,” stated Musa. “There is no other alternative, no other appeal process. In my respectful opinion, if these employees are qualified for severance based on the CCJ ruling, then by all means you have to pay these people.”

    The minister’s comments follow concerted actions by the Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ), who held a press conference on Monday and participated in organized protests on Tuesday. Musa questioned BTL’s corporate stance, noting the apparent contradiction between refusing worker payments while pursuing other business acquisitions. “How do you think you are in a position today to be buying out other companies if it is not on the backs of these hard working people from the company?”

    The Labor Minister’s intervention signals government support for the workers’ position and reinforces the authority of the CCJ’s ruling. The decision represents a significant development in Belize’s labor relations landscape, establishing precedent for regional judicial authority in employment disputes.

  • Major Solar Project Launched to Drive Belize’s Clean Energy Future

    Major Solar Project Launched to Drive Belize’s Clean Energy Future

    Belize has embarked on a transformative journey toward energy sustainability with the official launch of a pioneering solar initiative. Spearheaded by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) in collaboration with the Government of Belize and the International Finance Corporation, this project represents a cornerstone of the nation’s renewable energy strategy.

    The ambitious program, operating under the World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar framework, seeks to integrate up to 80 megawatts of solar capacity into Belize’s national grid. This development marks a significant advancement toward the country’s commitment to source 75% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

    Dr. Leroy Almendarez, CEO of the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, provided exclusive insights into the project’s procurement mechanism. The current phase involves a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process open until March 27th, inviting both domestic and international developers to participate as independent power producers.

    “The prequalification process functions similarly to a job application shortlisting,” explained Dr. Almendarez. “Successful bidders will be responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining solar facilities, with BEL serving as the primary power off-taker.”

    Notably, the initiative emphasizes local investor participation, encouraging Belizean businesses to form consortia to meet technical and financial requirements. This approach aims to ensure community involvement while building domestic expertise in renewable energy infrastructure.

    The project’s next phase will involve tariff negotiations between selected developers and BEL, ultimately determining electricity rates for consumers. This strategic move positions Belize to secure more affordable, sustainable energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

  • BSI Diversifying Cane Varieties to Safeguard Sugar Industry

    BSI Diversifying Cane Varieties to Safeguard Sugar Industry

    Belize’s sugar sector is witnessing a remarkable transformation following one of its most challenging periods in recent history. The 2025 season brought unprecedented difficulties with Fusarium disease outbreaks, declining yields, and market instability that reduced production by approximately fifteen percent. In response, Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) has launched an ambitious Clean Seed and Varieties Program to fundamentally restructure the industry’s agricultural foundation.

    The strategic initiative centers on replacing disease-compromised cane stocks with genetically pure, disease-resistant planting materials. Current industry vulnerability stems from over-reliance on the B-79 variety, which constitutes sixty percent of cultivation—creating critical systemic risk. The program aims to diversify genetic coverage, limiting any single variety to twenty-five percent of total cultivation while establishing balanced maturity distribution across early, mid, and late-season varieties.

    Advanced infrastructure including new greenhouse and shade-house facilities at BSI can now propagate up to 750,000 tissue-culture plantlets annually, sufficient for replanting approximately 5,000 acres. These plantlets, sourced through collaboration with Florida Crystals, undergo rigorous multiplication processes before distribution to farmers. BSI Country Manager Mac McLachlan emphasized the urgency, noting initial batches may reach farmers as early as March, calling the initiative “a game changer for farmers and the entire industry.”

    The comprehensive effort receives substantial governmental support, including emergency fungicide spraying across 34,000 acres during last year’s Fusarium crisis. Minister of State for Economic Transformation Osmond Martinez announced financial mechanisms wherein farmers will receive forty percent of necessary replanting funds through Climate Funds, with government bridging additional financial gaps. Minister Martinez highlighted the need for reformed lending practices, criticizing current banking interest rates of 13-15% as suffocating to agricultural productivity.

    Industry experts recognize this moment as critical for implementing long-overdue structural changes that could determine whether Belize’s sugar industry merely survives or returns to sustainable growth above its historical peak of 1.3 million tons processed.

  • BSI Rolls Out Packaged Sugar to Belize Market

    BSI Rolls Out Packaged Sugar to Belize Market

    In a significant departure from tradition, Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) has introduced commercially packaged sugar to the local market for the first time. The initial shipment of Domino brand products reached wholesalers on January 27, 2026, marking a transformative moment in Belize’s domestic sugar trade.

    Historically, Belizeans have purchased sugar through informal channels where retailers manually repackaged bulk industrial quantities into clear plastic bags with handwritten labels. According to Shawn Chavarria, BSI’s Director of Finance, this new initiative represents a substantial upgrade in food quality and safety standards. The change required recent legislative amendments that now permit BSI to offer both packaged brown and white sugar specifically for domestic consumers.

    The newly packaged sugar carries a modest price increase of approximately fifteen cents per pound at the mill level, though final retail pricing will depend on distributor and supermarket margins. BSI emphasizes that these adjustments better reflect true market prices while addressing longstanding issues with cross-border smuggling. The company anticipates that the professionally packaged products will significantly reduce illicit trade due to their recognizable branding and traceability.

    This strategic move not only modernizes Belize’s sugar distribution system but also aligns with international food safety standards, providing consumers with a more refined product than previously available through informal repackaging methods.

  • Special Sugar Price Concessions for Large Manufacturers

    Special Sugar Price Concessions for Large Manufacturers

    The Belizean sugar market is undergoing a significant transformation as Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) introduces packaged sugar at a premium price point. This strategic shift has raised pressing questions about cost distribution across the supply chain, from major manufacturers to end consumers. Beverage producers, bakeries, and restaurants—all substantial sugar users—are monitoring developments closely, concerned about potential cost increases that might eventually affect consumer pricing.

    Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, provided crucial insights into the government’s approach to managing this economic transition. While acknowledging that market forces will ultimately determine pricing structures, Martinez revealed that special concessions have been established to safeguard industries with high sugar dependency.

    The government has identified Bowen and Bowen as the nation’s largest sugar consumer and has incorporated protective clauses within official cabinet documentation to address industrial sugar costs. These provisions allow for negotiated agreements between major industrial users and BSI-ASR, with existing contracts serving as the foundation for ongoing discussions. Martinez expressed optimism that both parties would reach mutually beneficial arrangements, potentially maintaining or improving current conditions despite the broader market changes.

    The transition to packaged sugar represents both an operational cost increase and a quality control measure, addressing concerns about informal sugar distribution methods previously common in local markets. As negotiations continue, the government emphasizes its commitment to balancing market freedom with industrial protectionism to prevent excessive economic disruption.

  • Musa Seeks Dismissal of Budna Constitutional Case

    Musa Seeks Dismissal of Budna Constitutional Case

    In a significant legal development in Belize, former Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa has formally requested the Supreme Court to dismiss a constitutional claim filed against him by Joseph Budna. The case, which represents a notable intersection of political accountability and constitutional law, saw Musa appearing as a private citizen with legal representation from the firm Courtenay and Coye.

    When questioned by journalists regarding whether he still maintains that Budna’s constitutional rights were initially violated, Musa delivered a comprehensive defense of his ministerial actions. He asserted his full confidence in having exercised his duties appropriately while acknowledging Budna’s legal right to pursue constitutional redress.

    “Joseph Budna retains every entitlement to bring this matter before the Supreme Court, just as I possess the unequivocal right to mount a vigorous defense,” stated Musa. “My position remains clear: I bear no responsibility for the alleged violations. Video evidence substantiates that a criminal act occurred, resulting in the removal of a dangerous individual from Belize’s streets, thereby enhancing public safety, particularly for vulnerable children.”

    Despite acknowledging procedural irregularities, Musa emphasized having utilized all available ministerial powers to ensure transparency, including advocating for public release of relevant video footage and demanding an independent investigation into the incident. He articulated the philosophical position that “two wrongs don’t make a right,” recognizing potential procedural missteps while maintaining the outcome served public safety interests.

    The former minister additionally indicated potential legal action against media outlets for what he characterized as repetition of “libelous and defamatory allegations” originally made by Arthur Saldivar, suggesting continuing legal ramifications from his ministerial tenure.