BTL Board Approves 100% Acquisition of Speednet - Union and Opposition Stage Spontaneous Protest

BTL's board of directors has agreed to acquire its competitor Speednet, bringing an end to a tumultuous chapter of political and corporate intrigue that started to unfold more than a year ago.
The board of directors met this morning and by 2:00 this afternoon, a release was issued saying, quote, "the Board approved, with the support of senior management, the proposed purchase of 100% of the issued share capital of Speednet Communications Limited."
The statement makes no mention of the Public Utilities Commission-which must approve any such acquisition that will effectively create a monopoly. It simply says the acquisition is subject to, quote, "the satisfactory completion of continued due diligence and the negotiation of appropriate representations, warranties and other contractual protections for BTL as the buyer. Once negotiations advance to the definitive agreement stage, the Share Purchase Agreement will be submitted to the Board for separate review and final approval before execution."
Sticking to the script that's been touted throughout, the release says, quote, "the investment is to be repaid from Speednet's own operating cash flows. Based on current projections, the investment of $80 million has an estimated payback period of approximately 4.2 years..."

And while BTL is spinning the acquisition as a boon, the Chamber of Commerce, the unions, and the Opposition differ greatly. After news of the vote trickled out around 11:30 a.m., the NTUCB and the UDP mobilized immediately with an impromptu protest outside BTL's corporate headquarters on St. Thomas Street. Courtney Menzies was there and has this story.

Brian "Yellowman" Audinett, UDP Supporter
[shouting] We will pay our bill right here, don't make us get violent, don't tell us simpleness. Open the thing let's go or we will open it by force because we will pay for this back. I want to pay my bill, 615-5549."

"[shouting] I will create something here."

BTL Employee:
"You could try your luck."

Brian "Yellowman" Audinett:
"I will try my luck, I like try luck."

"So I can't pay my bill? $59 change is my bill, I need to pay my bill."

This was the scene this afternoon after the UDP calmly walked into the BTL compound to stand in front of the Digi Signature Store. Word got out that BTL's board members had quietly voted in favour of the proposed acquisition of Speednet, prompting a spontaneous protest by the Opposition Party and the NTUCB.

It wasn't a large crowd, but NTUCB president explained that it was important for them to register their discontent and disapproval:

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"We were not sure if the meeting would have been held today so we were in communication with persons to try and verify that. It was until this morning we were informed that yes the meeting would have been held today, we understand some members have actually joined virtually. So again I don't even know if they themselves were sure the meeting would have been held today. But besides that when we heard that it would be held today, we made the call out to the general council, to all the presidents, we know everybody is busy, NTUCB has presidents that have been working with their members, with projects, etc., so we made a call out still to join us today. If it was only me and Sister Lidia and Brother Jermaine here it would be that."

"But the purpose for us being here is to register NTUCB still not supporting the acquisition of Smart simply because what we had demanded for when it comes to consultation, meaningful consultation with the public, not just a group of stakeholders and some PUP representatives but with the public, did not happen. We also asked for another audit, an audit that could verify the financials of Smart, one year audit cannot support millions of dollars being purchased into a company, so we demanded that as well, but it has not been completed as far as we know."

And the president of the Belize Communications Workers Union came out to make it clear: they're not siding with BTL's board.

Jermaine Williams, President, BCWU
"What changed today is that when we actually had a vote, it wasn't the membership only that voted, it was the entire general staff that voted but of course other information came out whereby it shows that the value of Smart doesn't match up with what was presented to us by saying $40 million in capital and it's only showing $15 million, so it's just those figures I might be near or there with the figures but that's what it was showing. So this is where we continue to make a stand moving forward and to see how we can put a stop to this."

"We would like the Belizean people to come out and support when we call on them so we could make a stand. There's only certain people that benefits from these types of acquisitions so we need to make sure we stop it."

Reporter:
"Do you consider that the way things transpired today was in secret?"

Jermaine Williams:
"Yeah I believe it was in secret. As you know that the information that was up first when they had a different board of directors, information was given out on a regular basis but now this is a more tightened grip whereby the information won't come out as it used to."

And up until that point, the votes were only rumored-shrouded in secrecy much like the meeting-but now we can confirm that 8 members supported while 2 of them voted against the acquisition.

And the Leader of the Opposition lamented that 8 people will decide the fate of Belize's telecommunications sector.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"It is a travesty, it is tantamount in my view to treason. How could a government led board not consider a reasonable request that came from the people. We need an assessment. We need an independent evaluation, we need to know what the future value of this company looks like, there are too many unanswered questions and while 8 people have voted in favor and 2 voted no, 8 people will decide he fate of a utility company that has significant impact in terms of our national development, it's just like BEL."

"I think that there's enough evidence before us in the public domain that suggests that this government continues to operate not in the best interest of this country. The allegations of corruption are not just allegations, we have evidence to prove that there's significant corruption in the government. We have asked, we have met with the board and we have asked for disclosure of the details and they continue to deny the Belizean people answers that are important."

The demand for information is the loudest cry, but according to both Waight and Panton, it should have started with SSB's meeting on Friday.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"That should have been done before this meeting today, that should have been done and I hope Belizeans realize that. That should have been done, they did what they're supposed to do and they got who supported and who did not support so that information should have been shared whether it would have been Friday evening on the news or yesterday. That way we would have known we need to go back to SSB so some of us would be at SSB and some of us at BTL today."

"We support investments at SSB that is how we avoid having to have an increase in our contributions, we support investments, but prudent investments. We are not sure of this investment because we did not get information we had asked for."

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"The SSB represents the contributors to the fund, the people who sit on the board ultimately and they have a fiduciary duty and obligation to inform contributors to the fund what decisions they're making on their behalf, why they're making those decisions and how those decisions will impact the fund for future consideration. They failed to do that. It is indicative of how this administration conducts their business, they make decisions and then informs the public later."

But tonight we can tell you that it was in fact 2 SSB members that voted against the acquisition-Allan Pollard and Anissa Perdomo.

However, both leaders say that this is just the start as they prepare to take further action-time will tell if they can coalesce their forces.

Independent and Opposition Senators Walk Out Over BTL-Speednet Deal

And while the Opposition was making noise outside BTL's headquarters, something unprecedented was happening in the Senate Chamber. For the first time that we have witnessed, the independent senators-or a supermajority of them at least-walked out of the meeting. They did so in protest of the just-announced decision to acquire Speednet.
They followed the lead of UDP Senator Patrick Faber who led the charge after the Senate returned to a public session following what is called "a meeting of the whole."

He rose to speak after the Leader of Government Business-and here's how it went:

Patrick Faber
"We have sat here, and to be honest with you, we're very, very uneasy that we are here doing the people's business, yes."

"But while we're doing the people's business, Madam President, the government is seeking to purchase Smart from its owners in a deal that the Belizean people, Madam President, the Belizean people have said they don't want."

"The government, Madam President, is ramming down the throats of the Belizean people as we speak, Madam President, ramming down the throats of the Belizean people as we speak the Smart acquisition. We are against that acquisition, Madam President. The Belizean people are against it Madam President, and we expect that we will be heard, we will not stand here and behave like it is business as usual in this honorable chamber."

Madam President
"I am suspending this session."

Patrick Faber
"The Belizean people don't want it. The Belizean people don't want it."

"I am speaking for myself and for thousands of other Belizeans who don't have a voice, who you're ramming this down the throat. And we can't have that, Madam President."

"We have made our position, and we're hoping that you're genuine in terms of valuing what contributions we've made and that they can see their way into whatever amendments you put in the Committee of the Whole."

"But we will not continue to sit here and behave like it's business as usual."

The President declared the Senate meeting suspended, the microphones were cut, and so was the feed-which went to logo. They came back in a few minutes and, like a magic trick, the Opposition and the independent senators-except for religious sector Senator Louis Wade-were all gone.

The independent senators issued a joint statement saying, quote: "We remain aligned with the positions adopted by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and the Opposition that there has been no substantive information provided to address concerns raised of the legality, competition and valuation independence in relation to this proposed acquisition. We maintain that any decision to take decisive steps to turn the telecommunications landscape into a monopoly is regressive and we believe, is contrary to Section 42(4) of the Belize Telecommunications Act." End quote.

In closing, they also refer again to a "unified block"-adverting to their power to block legislation that comes to the Upper House for approval, along with the Opposition.

Senator Louis Wade Explains Decision Not to Join Senate Walkout

And even though he signed the statement, after the walkout, Louis Wade sat alone in the second row, the only independent senator not to join. As he rose to speak on the Caribbean Community (Free Movement and Contingent Rights) Bill, he began his statement by explaining why he didn't join his colleagues:

Louis Wade Jr., Church Senator
"Philosophically, I believe that leaders have a responsibility to speak on every matter as they arise."

"And I do intend at the proper time and in the proper circumstances to speak on the matter of the acquisition or the pending or the proposed or the voted on or the process."

"What is before us is, of course, the Caribbean Community Amendment Act, and we just came out of the information session."

"But even if unrecorded or struck from record, I stand to lose more than anyone in this chamber, whether present or absent, from what the government seeks to do in recreating a monopoly in communications."

"And so, at the proper time, what shall be done may even be more effective than walking out. But for now, the people's business must precede mine."

Social Partners Issue Joint Statement Opposing Speednet Acquisition

Following the statement by the independent senators, the social partner sectors they represent issued their own. This includes the BCCI, the NTUCB, the Council of Churches, and the Belize Network of NGOs.
They expressed "strong disapproval and alarm" following the decision by the BTL Board of Directors to acquire Speednet. The release says, quote, "Since January 2026, the Social Partners have repeatedly warned against hasty consolidation in Belize's telecommunications sector... The social partners maintain that proceeding with a transaction of this magnitude without resolving these core issues demonstrates a complete disregard for the public interest and the rule of law. Today's approval by the BTL Board ignores significant, unaddressed legal and regulatory concerns." End quote.
They specifically point to the section of the Telecommunications Act that forbids agreements that fundamentally lessen competition. They are now calling on the PUC to fulfill its statutory mandate and determine whether the proposed transaction complies with the Telecoms Act before it proceeds.

We did reach out to the PUC which said, quote, "The PUC has not yet made a decision regarding the proposed acquisition. The matter remains under the Commission's consideration, and the final decision rests with the Commission. Once a decision has been made, it will be communicated through the appropriate channels."

7News Director: Speednet Acquisition "Unwise & Unlawful"

Joining me on set to discuss it all now is news director Jules Vasquez. Jules, what do you think of the decision?

Tragedy On The Seas: Body of Missing Fisherman Recovered, Questions Remain

Tragedy unfolded at sea this week after two Sandhill fishermen were reported missing, leading to an intensive 36-hour multi-agency search operation. While one of the men, Albert Vacarro, was successfully rescued yesterday, the body of his fishing partner, Samuel Chi, was recovered less than 24 hours later in an advanced state of decomposition.
But what happened? So far no one can say. Jomarie Lanza brings us the details.

Chi had a wife and two sons.

Belize City Laborer Charged With Albert Street Murder of Kiffer McKenzie

Police have arrested and charged a Belize City man in connection with the June murder of Kiffer Alexander McKenzie. Today, police formally arrested and charged 24-year-old Lennox Linford Gentle, a Belizean laborer of a Belize City address, for the crime of murder in relation to McKenzie's death. McKenzie was fatally shot on June 13, 2026, on Albert Street as he drove down Albert Street at the height of the Saturday morning rush with young children in the car.

Two Police Officers Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Detention Death

Two police officers have been found guilty of manslaughter for administering the injuries that caused the death of a man in custody.
In 2023, a video emerged capturing 25-year-old Andrew McDougal being aggressively detained by police in front of a restaurant in Santa Cruz Village. But then 17 days later, McDougal died from internal bleeding due to injuries he sustained while being detained by police. McDougal suffered from hemophilia, a type of genetic bleeding disorder that prevented him from healing.

The two arresting officers, John Lucas and Jaleel Lewis, were later charged for manslaughter, and today both cops were found guilty by Justice Antoinette Moore. The officers were represented in court by attorneys Audrey Matura and Hurl Hamilton, and their sentencing has been set for August 11th.

A Climate of Violence In Cayo: Man Hospitalized and Five-Year-Old Boy Wounded in San Ignacio Drive-By

Last night a brazen drive-by shooting on Collins Boulevard in San Ignacio left 30-year-old Carlton McKoy and an innocent 5-year-old boy wounded. According to police, shortly before 7:40 p.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire and found McKoy suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators say McKoy had driven onto Collins Boulevard when occupants of a parked vehicle allegedly opened fire on his vehicle, firing several rounds. During the attack, a five-year-old boy, who was walking home with his mother along Bullet Tree Road, was struck by a bullet despite having no apparent connection to the intended target.
Both victims were transported for medical treatment. The child was later transferred to the KHMH, while McKoy remains hospitalized. Police have confirmed that both are in stable condition.

This is one more shooting in a troubling spate of violence in the Cayo District, which has seen five shootings and one violent home invasion recorded within the past month. Despite multiple police investigations, no major breakthroughs have been announced.

Belize River Valley Residents Raise Alarm Over Massive Fish Die-Off

Residents in the Belize River Valley are raising alarms after discovering scores of dead fish floating along the Belize River-a critical waterway that serves as a primary source of food, livelihood, and culture for the river valley communities.

To find out what's causing the die-off and how villagers feel about it, Jaleeza Roberts traveled to the area. Here is her report.

A river fish gasping for air-most of us have never seen this-but it's what River Valley residents woke up to today. It's a fish kill along the Belize River, stretching from at least Scotland Halfmoon to St. Paul's Bank.

Residents were alarmed when they woke up to see dead fish, river lobsters, river crabs and other marine life on the banks and surface of the river. The water was darker than usual and the fish struggling to respire-many of them lay dead on the banks of the river. This continued for miles along the Belize River and residents are asking why:

Alphius Gillett, Belize River Valley Resident
"I'm very, very concerned because I grew up in this area and my father, my family was farmers. We depend on the natural resources and I first saw it this morning. Someone sent it to me and I'm very concerned. And this is the first time we're seeing something like this in the Belize River. If it happened before, it never happened to the extent of what's taking place now."

Residents are being advised not to consume the fish or use the water from the river right now because the source of the fish kill has not been identified:

Alphius Gillett, Belize River Valley Resident
"It's very, very concerning because if you go along the river valley area, if you go to Maypen, if you go to Grace Bank, if you go to Flowers Bank, all these villages, Lemonal is not the Belize River, but it's connected. It's connected, somehow Crooked Tree is connected to the Belize River as well. The Black Creek area passes through the Biscayne area where I live. So most people either directly or indirectly benefit from the river. So it's not just a river. It's more than a river."

Now, they are making a call for action as their river is their livelihood:

Alphius Gillett, Belize River Valley Resident
"I'm hoping that a proper investigation can be done. And it reminds me of the river. It's very similar. And of course, I'm not passing any judgment. I'm not a technical person here. But I mean, the color of the water, it raises some questions. And I think that the people want answers."

So for now they are confused about how they should proceed.

Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.

We reached out to the Department of the Environment for comment, but up to news time had gotten no response.

Emil Zabaneh Somehow Survived Rollover SUV Accident Near Haulover Bridge

Tonight, Emil Brian Zabaneh is recovering after he was one of the victims in an RTA yesterday evening near Mile 4 on the Philip Goldson Highway. Zabaneh was hospitalized but did not receive any life-threatening injuries.

The accident happened near the southern approach to the Haulover Bridge at 5:00 p.m., when the Prado he was driving ran into a RAV4 and flipped 3 times. When it came to a stop, both he and a passenger were outside the Prado when emergency personnel arrived.

Convicted Teacher Alex Noralez Released on Parole Pending Appeal

Tonight, Alex Noralez, teacher at San Pedro High School, is out on parole despite having been denied bail pending appeal only days ago. Noralez was convicted in January on two counts of sexual assault involving three minor high school students in San Pedro Town. He was sentenced to two concurrent 18-month terms but is out on parole tonight after 7 months.

According to his attorney Dickie Bradley, Noralez was released under Belize's parole provisions. Bradley stated that parole legislation provides that "a prisoner who has served over half of his sentence is eligible" for release. However, the reported release has prompted significant legal questions. Noralez's appeal hearing is scheduled for September.

Police Identify But Can’t Locate Suspect in Cotton Tree Animal Abuse Incident

Two weeks ago we brought you the story of Buddy the dog, who was re-homed to a loving family in the Cayo District after being repeatedly beaten and abused by his former owner in Cotton Tree. Since the video emerged on social media, police launched an investigation to locate the man seen physically harming Buddy in the video.
And today we learned that they have identified Buddy's abuser, however they have not been able to locate him because he has vacated his home in Cotton Tree.
Police had gotten a statement from the accused's stepdaughter, who told police she had gone to visit her mother in Cotton Tree when her stepfather arrived home under the influence of alcohol and began hitting the dog with a gallon containing gasoline which eventually broke and spilled all over the animal. He then picked up a stick and continued to hit the dog.

The mother of the complainant then intervened and took the stick away from Buddy's abuser. Police have made multiple efforts to locate him and have resorted to logging his name in a court book which will be used upon his detention so that the case will not be statute-barred.

Occupational Safety and Health Bill Passes Senate Following Debate

Earlier in the news, we showed you the UDP and most of the independent senators walking out of today's meeting. But before that, in the morning, an important bill was brought back to the Senate. That is the Occupational Safety and Health Bill. Earlier this year, when it was first brought down, the debate was stopped abruptly-following permission from the President-so that the concerns could be properly ventilated and addressed.
We also told you that those meetings with public officers from the Ministry of Labor weren't so fruitful. Today in the Senate, UDP Senator Patrick Faber described them as a "waste of time."

However, some of the kinks were sorted, including the issue that Faber had brought up last time: the fact that the OSH Bill excluded domestic workers. Here is a snippet of today's debate:

Patrick Faber, UDP Senator
"Red and Blue and Independent felt that the sessions initially held with the experts were a waste of our time and effort."

"Those public servants who came in that first session, Madam President, were inadequate. In fact, they admitted that to us when they came here."

"We sat here three hours for them to tell us all that you have recommended. We can't tell you anything and we just want to sit down here and listen."

"We can't give you any kind of expert testimony because the minister is out of the country."

"The people who will imagine the ministry officials who will run with the OSH bill and put the law into effect at all its stages, the inspectorate and everything, Madam President, those people sat before us and told us that, hey, we can't answer you all, we don't know. We have no authority to answer you."

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
"What was the complete omission of domestic workers has been rectified in section three of the, on clause three of the bill."

"I don't particularly like this formulation, but I trust, I trust that it is a better formulation than what we had before."

"And clause three, two, because I must make specific reference to the bill when I'm debating, says that the act shall apply to domestic workers, but subject to such limitations, safeguards and procedures as may be prescribed, having regard to the constitutional privacy rights within private residence."

"I think, Madam President, when we are in the realm of competing rights, it's very important to appreciate that we didn't simply rule out domestic workers as having the benefit of the OSH."

"But I hope that the domestic employers, those who are privileged enough to have domestic workers in their employ, I understand some people in the front bench may have entire staff working in their households. Right, Senator Montejo?"

"But it's important that we don't rule out those categories of people from the protection of the OSH while still ensuring that the sweeping powers that we give to an inspector or to an inspector doesn't infringe on the privacy rights of homeowners."

The bill was passed by the Senate.

Seventeen-Year-Old Ruben Trejos Jr. Completes Solo International Flight

He's only 17 years old, and Ruben Trejos Jr. is probably one of the youngest pilots in Belize. And today he achieved a major milestone in his studies by flying from El Salvador to Belize, landing in San Pedro.
Trejos, who is a student at Aerosal School of Aviation in El Salvador, made the journey in the company of his flight instructor. He stopped in San Pedro Sula and continued onto Belize shortly after.
Dion Vansen from the San Pedro Sun caught up with the teen shortly after he landed and spoke with him about his first long haul across the sky.

Reporter:
"So tell me, how was the experience flying across country into Belize?"

Ruben Trejos Jr., Pilot Student, Aerosal School of Aviation El Salvador
"It was absolutely beautiful, the views were amazing, everything was amazing flying next to my great instructor, he is very cool, you get to learn a lot, you get to see a lot of landscape."

Reporter:
"Was it challenging for you? Did you feel confident?"

Ruben Trejos Jr:
"Sometimes it can get a bit stressful, you know, when you're coming down landing or when you're taking off, that is when the load is the hardest, you know, you can't get distracted, there is a bunch of things you have to pay attention to, but it is really fun, you get used to it and yes."

Reporter:
"Was this always your dream to be a pilot?"

Ruben Trejos Jr:
"Oh yes, most definitely, since I was a kid, you know, I was right there and I would watch like yeah, I would want to fly a plane, all the time, all the time."

Trinidadian National Remains in Jail, Enters Mediation Over Unpaid Hotel Bill

And finally tonightâ€¦ In May of this year, Trinidadian national Rubindra Dale Rampersad had racked up a bill of $11,470.24 for a month's stay at Golden Bay Hotel. Police were alerted and Rampersad was intercepted at the airport and later charged for making off without payment.
The 47-year-old procurement officer has been on remand since then, unable to meet the conditions of his bail. But his attorney Darrell Bradley is working on a mediation on his behalf with the hotel.

Rampersad has pleaded not guilty to the charge, but because of his nationality and having no ties to Belize, he was viewed as a flight risk and his bail was denied. His mediation has been set for Thursday, August 13, and this will determine whether the criminal charge will be dismissed.