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Tonight, the Belize Communication Workers for Justice may be under political attack - but they are not letting up.
Today, they boarded a bus and took their protest to the National Assembly in Belmopan to coincide with the budget presentation - which is the biggest day on the parliamentary calendar. The BCWJ hoped it would be an opportunity for the parliamentarians to see them - especially the Prime Minister.
And while the BCWJ's protests remain peaceful, they say they're not going back to BTL, so the PM's intervention is needed. Courtney Menzies was on the ground today and has this story.
The Belize Communication Workers for Justice took their fight to parliament today as they protested in front of the National Assembly during today's House Meeting. They say they have a request for the prime minister:
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep. "We're asking the prime minister, we came here because it's time to escalate this matter to people that do make the decisions. As we all know, BTL is owned by the Belizean people, the board members that are there are appointed by the present government of Belize and so we are asking for a meeting with the prime minister so that we can put this item to rest."
Courtney Menzies: "Do you believe he will come down here and give you guys an audience?"
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep "I don't know if he will come down here while we're out here but I think that he will accept the meeting with us."
But while he didn't go down to speak with them, the Leader of the Opposition, along with the Mesopotamia area rep, did. Their rep, Emily Turner, was able to tell Tracy Panton what their plight was, and the LOO promised to raise the matter in the adjournment.
And while the BCWJ has tried not to politicize their issue, they still have the support of the Opposition party.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "A ruling has been made, a determination has been made and yet we have these workers still having to protest and to demand what is theirs. They have worked, they have earned their severance pay and the highest court has made a determination. Why it is that this government does not see the need to intervene in this matter blows my mind. It is important as they protest they know they are not protesting alone. They are our mothers, fathers, siblings, they're our neighbors, they're members of our constituencies. They have to know that the representatives are standing with them in solidarity."
But that wasn't the BCWJ's only form of protest today - at 11:00 this morning, hundreds of text messages were sent to area reps of different constituencies that their members live in. And while we could see some of the parliamentarians checking their phones - which is not uncommon - Turner says the messages will keep coming.
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep "We have 310 people in our group, these are people from north, south, east, and west, the cases and Belizeans that are living in the diaspora, we all came together and sent a text message to the area representatives that we are a part of their constituency and some of us sent to other ministers that we believe have a big influence or need to take a part of this protest action and so our second protest action was to send that text message at 11am. We will also be sending it out to the public so they can join us, a lot of our family members want to join us which means that we expect these text messages will multiply at least 3 times because our families have 3 to 5 people, even our grandparents, especially our grandparents, they really want to join in this because this is the first time they're seeing a mixture of younger people that are standing up for the rights of people that you would say are voiceless and that's what we are doing."
"We got a message just now from one of the area reps where he is trying to pingpong this back into BTL's court but I'm asking the question, who is running things, who owns BTL?"
And promptly at 1:00 this afternoon, the protest finished. But the BCWJ didn't leave just yet - they wanted to sit in on the rest of the House Meeting, but they were barred from entering at first.
Mike Augustus, BCWJ Rep "What we are about to do as Belizeans is getting an opportunity to go in there and sit while the House is meeting and all of a sudden we're Belizeans but we don't have a right to go in there. Our protest is over. We adhered to every single item that was placed before us which would be a violated. Now, yes the shirt, but it's not PUP or UDP shirt."
Courtney Menzies: "And you turned it inside out."
Mike Augustus, BCWJ Rep "I turned mine inside out and as a Belizean I can't go in there."
YaYa Marin, BCWJ Protestor "She said she has to consult so somebody said who are you going to consult with, because you're the ranking officer, she didn't say who she went to consult with. One of the things they were concerned with our shirts, so some of us turned our shirts inside out, put on another shirt, waiting over 15 minutes to get permission to go into a House Meeting, for what reason? We have every right to go in there. Now if we storm it, they will say it's problem we're looking for but it's not problems that we are looking for, we have a right to enter the House."
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep "I hear the House of Representatives was recently renovated, they are doing a budget speech so we need to understand. We spent the first part of the budget speech outside, we want to hear it outside and we just want to go and sit. We have already, and we have the recording, the fact that we gave our instructions, we want to come in and sit peacefully and be quiet and we will divide evenly when we sit in there. I've never seen inside of National Assembly so for me it's going to be the first time."
Ultimately, they were allowed inside but then another issue arose - they weren't allowed to sit in the gallery facing the government, and were told to sit on the "opposition" side:
Mike Augustus, BCWJ Rep "We are dubbed the Opposition. We were going in there, we want to sit there, we were dubbed the Opposition. I need for them to explain that."
A few minutes later, however, they were allowed into the other side, and the Speaker of the House clarified that she never gave directives on where they were allowed or not allowed to sit.
And while the BCWJ members had to return home shortly after, they say they'll be back at it soon.
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep "We are here today, we expect that we will be protesting again at the end of this week, you guys saw when we went to have our pizza and coke, we kind of flurried people and they got jumpy so we might just have to go there. Since we got that beautiful reaction, we might just have to go there with a full protest because we love when they react like that, and we have to go to all the board members, we have to go to all the ministers' things, but we won't give up, we have to continue."
And as promised, the Leader of the Opposition highlighted their plight and put it on record in parliament. She rose on the adjournment to sympathize with the former workers and demand that they be paid what they worked for.
Tracy Panton, Leader of Opposition "Outside this very house, Madam Speaker, former employees of BTL gathered this morning in a peaceful protest. They are not agitators. They are Belizeans who have given years, some of them, Madam Speaker, decades of service to the National Telecommunications Company that helped to build a modern communications network of this country."
"Today, they did not advocate for charity. Rather, they are advocating for justice. They stand because they are owed their full severance payments together with the 6% interest that was recognized as part of their entitlement."
"Many of these workers, Madam Speaker, have waited for years for what is rightfully theirs. The principle at stake is simple. When Belizeans work and earn a benefit under the law, the benefit must be honored."
"A government that stands for workers cannot remain silent while former employees are forced to protest outside the very institution that they help to build. Many of them, Madam Speaker, continue to suffer in silence, but still they need their voices to be heard."
But the Public Utilities Minister Michael Chebat came prepared to respond - although his rebuttal sounded more like a corporate press release. He reiterated the chain of events from the CCJ case - stating that those claimants have already been paid what the court ruled, and repeating BTL's own statements that the company is already paying more than what it believes it should since they've done away with the 6 year limitation period.
But before he could get into it, sparks flew across the floor between Chebat and the Mesopotamia area rep. Here's how that went.
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities "We are all agreed that they must be paid their severance. We hear them, Madam Speaker, and we support their right to be paid their severance. As a matter of fact, Madam Speaker, this is the party and the government of workers of this country."
"This is the government that just passed the OSH Act to protect the workers of this country. So, where were they for the past 13 years? How long was that bill in draft and they never brought it to the House to be passed to support the workers of this country, Madam Speaker?"
"And let us recall who advised..."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep. Mesopotamia "On a point of order, this has nothing to do with the BTL thing with the SOH bill."
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities "Madam Speaker, they cannot constrain my response. They have asked a question. They have raised a matter and I am going to respond."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep. Mesopotamia "And how they constrain my one and they can't constrain your one?"
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities "You can't tell me how I am going to respond."
Speaker of the Hpuse "Members. You have to allow the chair. Member, I ask you to please take a seat. I only ask that, yes, you have pointed orders, you stand, but then you have to allow the chair. you can't take over my role to."
"Continue with your contribution specific to the matter of national..."
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities "Thank you, Madam Speaker. And our negotiations with BTL regarding severance payments to BTL's former employees who meet the requirement under Section 183 of the Labor Act for severance payments."
Later on in the news, we'll have more from the house, including the budget presentation.
Social media lit up last night when news went out that three Belizeans youths had been abducted in Chetumal after the hopped into an Uber.
Well, it turns out, those three: twenty-four-year-old Yaire Mendez, eighteen-year-old Jesslyn Mendez, and twenty-five-year-old Marvin Rosales, were only the victims of a virtual extortion attempt that falsely claimed they had been kidnapped. They are safe at home tonight after being reunited with their families after midnight.
According to the Quintana Roo State Attorney General's Office, the three became victims of a virtual kidnapping scheme after receiving threatening phone calls shortly after leaving a family member's graduation.
The scammers demanded 350,000 Mexican pesos, the equivalent 40 thousand Belize Dollars, for their supposed release, claiming an armed group had intercepted them.
Investigators later determined the criminals had cloned the daughter's WhatsApp account, allowing them to communicate with her father from another device and make the situation appear real.
The suspects also remotely forced the youths to take photos and then sent the images to the family to support the false kidnapping claim. Authorities managed to contact the father around midnight and informed him that it was a virtual extortion attempt, advising him to stop communicating with the suspects and not to send any money.
A search operation was then launched and the three Belizeans were subsequently located safe.
The Attorney General's Office in Mexico is urging the public not to respond to suspicious calls demanding money for the release of relatives and to immediately contact authorities if they believe they are being targeted by a virtual kidnapping scam.
A stabbing incident claimed the life of 29 year old Private Raheed Flowers - hours after he had marched for Heroes and Benefactors day along with his fellow soldiers as part of the BDF Band.
Today we gathered more details on what his life was like in the service as a soldier and a trombone player. Jomarie Lanza has this story.
Private Raheed Flowers had just solidified his career as a soldier and a member of the Belize Defense force marching band a week ago, having served 8 years within the force. But all those dreams and ambitions of his were lost to a fatal stabbing last night, while socializing near the home of a relative.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "On Monday police responded to the report of a stabbing at Gladden street in Belize City. Upon their arrival they received information that a male person had been stabbed. He was identified as Raheed Flowers, a BDF soldier. Information is that Flowers was at a yard at Gladden street when there was a fight and a male person inflicted stab wounds to him. He was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. We are looking for one suspect in regards to this stabbing incident."
Jo- "Would you be able to say if alcohol may have been a factor in this stabbing?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Yes information is that they had been drinking. The area is being this morning to see if we can get any video footage in the area."
His band leader spoke very positively about his former trombone player and his musical ability:
Major Kevin Campbell, Director of Music, BDF "Like any other young Belizean today, uncertain and really do I want to wear the uniform because the motto of the present Belize Defence Band is military attitude and musical skill. So to couple the 2 of them right now is the hardest thing to do, we struggle with people understanding that it is more than a marching band. Often you will hear narrators and emcees and directors of ceremonies just referring to the BDF marching band it is much more than that when you have to put on your uniform you don your uniform and you conform to military discipline. That comes first and foremost and then you pick up your instrument and play. He was able to say that I want to do that and he did it."
"And so over that time he evolved and he also used to play with the Imperial Band, that is a civilian band too where he owned the skills and what I remember most about him from the time I met him until now he had that power to recall, you pick up YouTube and you look at musicians playing in our military band and you see them looking at the music. He would just look at the music and he could recall that and I admired that about him."
But aside from his commitment to serving his country and playing in the band, before all else Campbell says there was nothing Private Flowers loved more than being a father to his 3 boys.
Reporter "What is one thing that you will remember about him?"
Major Kevin Campbell, Director of Music, BDF "The way he insisted that he was a father. And that is the part and he made sure to emphasize I want to take care of my sons sir and he stressed on that and looking back on some of the pictures it was the care that he had for that child and his children. Also the memory of the way he interacted with his colleagues because it was just yesterday morning he was in uniform serving his country. We did the heroes and benefactors day, little did we all know that would be the last time that we would see him. So definitely those are going to be the memories that will stay with me. His service to his country, the way he donned his uniform and was determined to carry out his duties."
"One would characterize him as being very Belizean balanced in that he enjoyed life indeed and at the same time I continue to say he was able to put on back the uniform when duty called, which was regularly because again on Saturday we had duties in Ladyville, performed it well and that is the way I would reflect on him."
"So it is indeed a great loss and he was the only one in that particular section, we only had one trombone player. So definitely it hurts it hits hard."
Private Flowers is expected to receive a military funeral
No arrests have been made - but police do have suspects.
He appeared hooded on surveillance video, as he fatally shot 26 year old Edward Saldano at close range on Amara Avenue, before fleeing the scene on foot. But police managed to track down their prime suspect in the broad daylight street murder.
ASP Hilberto Romero gave us more details on Sambula's arrest today.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "In reference the murder of Edward Saldano that occurred on Thursday in Belize City we have arrested and charged Paul Sambula for the crime of murder."
Jo- "Is Sambula known to police?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Yes he is known."
Jo- "Is he known due to gang related affiliations?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Yes he is from that area, Belize City George Street."
Reporter- "Do you believe that the murder was gang related? Or is it a personal issue?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "They have internal issues they are from that area and one of them had been threatening the other and that is what led to the shooting."
"No the fire arm was not recovered."
Today 30-year-old, Paul Elver Sambula was arraigned for Saldano's murder before Senior Magistrate, Mannon Dennison. He was remanded into custody at the Belize central prison until May 6th.
This year's La Ruta Maya may have been the most anticipated in years - but that wasn't so much because of the competition between the paddlers, but because of the huge national controversy preceding the event.
And between Friday and Monday, it all played out - the rivalries, the resentments, and, yes, the race on the river.
At the end of 4 days and 170 miles paddled, the 29th La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge ended in competition and controversy - but also with a patriotic flourish.
We were the for all of it - but we start at the official finish line - where Jaleeza Roberts was stationed:
And for the first time in history, paddlers went against the norm and staged a "Protest Paddle". Over 20 out of the 58 teams joined in to send a strong statement to the organizing committee. Our team was also there - and here's the story:
All teams crossed the finish line at the finale of the Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge but for the first time in history, paddlers made a u-turn and started paddling upstream - in the other direction.
They did this as a protest against the race committee's decision to end the race at The Grand Resort and Residence as opposed to the traditional Belcan Bridge.
It was a sight to see as tired paddlers garnered enough strength to muscle through the Haulover Channel and complete their extended paddle. But this wasn't your ordinary paddle, they weren't racing, there was no competition, this was love for the sport, passion and unity. The paddlers waited for each other along the way and when they approached the Belcan, they attached Belize flags to their canoes. These teams put all they've been saying over the past 2 weeks and made it real in the river - where the patriotism, plus the feeling of a community coming together was palpable. Fans at the Haulover and received them with spirited cheers and a feeling of pride:
It was National Heroes and Benefactors Day but one would like to think that in that brief moment, these paddlers became modern day heroes, standing up for what they believe in.:
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association "This was not planned, this happened in two days, where everybody just pooled together and said you know what well if the paddlers are going to BelCan bridge, then we can't have an empty ground there for them, so a lot of people just came together and started donating this and saying they would do that and this is what happens when the community gets together and stand as one."
The Canoe Association also made a deft strategic partnership with CIB Brewery which is Belikin's competition. Penner said that the display was evidence of what two days of mobilization and a fair amount of stubbornness can do. Penner believes this is step one of a change that's coming and says the Harrison Family has made some promises him, but they don't own the race in its entirety:
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association "We have been promised by the family, the Harrison family, which this whole thing will take a while, the transition will take a while but I believe there will be a transition which the family will take over, we the association do not want to run La Ruta Maya , we are not here to run La Ruta Maya. We have the umbrellas under which La Ruta Maya can fit, it would be a perfect fit. We are a part, we are the association, the federation registered in Belize, we are officially legally representing all our members who is the paddlers, we have COPAC which is the regional body, which is all the America and then we have the ICF so if done properly and the Ruta Maya gets sanctioned just simply sanctioned by the association that gives the race, all the fans, all the paddlers, everybody in the world that wanna come and do this race that opens the door where La Ruta Maya can become an official ICF sanctioned race that this can become a world event so all the entities, all the bi laws all the safety precautions that we have to take everything is already there. The only thing that needs to happen is that the members or the Ruta Maya organizing committee gets under that umbrella and then we can guide them to properly run it."
The association clearly has a vision of where it wants to take this race and is pleading for a seat at the table. Long time supporter Raynard Humphreys was able to pool monetary donations via a call for action on his Facebook page. He said that the message that they sent out was more like a call to action:
Raynard Humphreys, Supporter "Everybody that's been looking at the race could tell that this isn't just about the ending, it's about years of abuse and stuff that these paddlers have been dealing with and so it was easy to pull the funds together. We have so many people, I'm actually overwhelmed by the amount of support and I'm extremely grateful that these people trust me to use their money to instrument change."
Reporter "What's the total figures we're looking at?"
Raynard Humphreys, Supporter "We have upwards of 2,000 dollars but we're giving the first 20 canoes to come in which I think is the widest distributed station prize ever. We're gonna give 100 dollars to each one of these canoe. We know that they're forfeiting probably their free meals and stuff and my job is to use this to make sure they're covered and then the rest we're gonna split it up and use it to make change."
"I think it's more than just a race and I think it's more than just Ruta Maya. I think it's a chance for Belizeans to see what happens when you stand up for something."
And even though the winning team did not make their way to the Belcan, their Team Manager, Francis Usher said that he supports the paddlers that choose an alternative option.
Francis Usher, Pact On Trak, Team Manager "We support the paddlers 100%, one hundred percent we support the paddlers but the team worked hard for their first place so we're staying to collect our first place but we nevertheless, despite our first place prize, we are supporting the paddlers 100%."
And the battle for control of La Ruta Maya has really just begun. But for now, Penner says that they just want to be involved.
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association "If you call this facing something then I think we have something great to look forward because once the paddlers have their say and the fans they feel included through the paddlers, the sponsors of the teams are happy, if this can happen in two days imagine what can happen when the paddlers are properly consulted and all the sponsors are given the opportunity to be involved in this big race."
And finding that future balance between corporate interests and prioritizing paddlers will be a mighty challenge in the next few months - because while the last paddle strokes may be in - the fallout from this year's costly dispute is far from over.
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
We will be keeping a close eye on what comes next between negotiations and lawsuits.
Tonight, the Feinstein group has seriously turned up the pressure on the government of Belize for its acquisition of Sake Bank island.
Their latest pressure tactic comes in the form of a letter from US Congressman Brian J. Mast who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He today wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying, quote, "concerns have been raised with the Committee regarding the state of rule of law in Belize and the potential implications for U.S. strategic interests, American investments, and the bilateral relationship...I would appreciate the (State) Department's assessment of recent investor disputes involving compulsory land acquisition to determine whether these issues warrant closer U.S. attention."
Mast goes on to reference the Stake Bank issue directly, saying, quote, "I would like to understand the Department's current assessment of whether these issues pose a systemic risk to American investors and businesses operating in Belize."
He requests Secretary Rubio have the Department of State, quote "Assess the current state of rule of law, judicial independence, and property rights protections in Belize...".
The Feinstein family - from whom Stake Bank was acquired - put out a release welcoming the letter saying the letter "sends a clear signal to the Government of Belize and Atlantic Bank that these matters are now the subject of high level U.S. scrutiny." A direct quote from ousted developer Mike Feinstein says, quote, "This is now a matter of U.S. congressional oversight...The Government of Belize and Atlantic Bank must understand that the consequences of ignoring these concerns will not be confined to one family or one project."
We reached out to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca for comment and he gave us only a preliminary response saying, quote, "Both the House Committee and the Department of State can be assured of Belize's full cooperation in any assessment of our Investment Climate and our commitment to judicial independence and the rule of law. We are very proud of our record in this regard.
In terms of the Stake Bank Project it is well known that this is the subject of ongoing litigation in Belize. We are confident in our legal system and respect for the rule.of law and judicial independence require that these court proceedings be allowed to follow their course.
We regard these developments seriously and will respond to them through all relevant and available channels accordingly." End quote.
Fonseca told us that his Ministry will provide a more comprehensive response in the days ahead.
And while we have to wait and see if that will bring down more pressure on Belize, there's already a lot to go around. And it has to do with the Cuban Brigade currently in Belize. 45 members of that brigade are doctors and the question is whether they will be expelled. Today the Health Minister said basically - that's above his paygrade:
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness "I cannot respond in detail to what the Prime Minister said. I know that the Prime Minister also, as the leader of this government, has been having diplomatic discussions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
"As far as I know, there are still discussions taking place even today. Earlier this morning, my CEO and CEO Amala Mai, and I believe the CEO from Immigration had a three-way discussion in terms of the next steps."
"But I really can't respond until we have concrete information as to what will be the final decision in terms of addressing the issue and the concerns raised regarding the Cuban Brigade."
Reporter "So what are we trying to do? So what are trying to do, we're going to work out allowing the Cuban doctors and medical staff in Belize, which the Prime Minister said I think accends maybe 100 or close to that, to have them stay in Belize?"
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness "As I said, my only response to that, I cannot speak from that angle."
"I can tell you that at this point, the Cuban Brigade comprises 105 personnel. Mean out of that, 45 of them are specialized doctors in different areas of pediatric, neonatal doctors. You have OBGYN and other specialty psychiatry and all that."
"As I said, we know we have to plan. We have to plan whether the decision will be made to see a way how we could get them to stay here or whether we have to really do an exit plan. All of that is discussion that is happening at the diplomatic level."
"And so I don't want to comment on something that I don't have the full details. I know that the technical people were meeting today. We are hoping, but at the end of the day, Marisol, we have to have a plan in terms of forward thinking."
"And that's one of the reasons last year, when I took to Cabinet and Cabinet approval, which I will state in my budget presentation, we cabinet approved a 10-year healthcare capacity building training to ensure that we could provide, one, resources for training and specialization training for doctors in the necessary field of study for more nursing opportunities."
"And I can tell you that right now, I am in discussion with the Minister of Health in Guyana in trying to see how we could tap into their training program that they have for nursing. And so it is in that context that I can respond to that."
And in other empire maneuvers, last week Minister of Defense Florencio Marin was invited to Doral Florida to participate in the Americas Counter Cartel Conference - led by the US Secretary of War. Today we asked minister Marin about it - and he started with the invitation:
Florencio Marin, Minister of Defense "We got an indication that there would be a meeting of that nature. I did not get the details like in about a month. Then about a week then yes we got the formal invitation."
"Remember as part of my speech I said Belize cant work on this international threat alone I mean quite frankly no country can do it alone these days transnational organizations operate across borders they don't have that restriction so to counter it we must work together. And we have always had successful partnerships but I think they want to take it up now to a newer level and we look forward to that to be able to keep our sovereignty intact and to be able to keep Belize safe."
Marin is one of the 17 signatories to the Joint Security Declaration who signed on to, quote, "Join a coalition to combat narco-terrorism and other shared threats to the Western Hemisphere."
The agreement also calls for, quote, "whole-of-government efforts regarding border security; countering narcoterrorism and trafficking; securing critical infrastructure; and other areas as mutually determined;"
We asked the Defense Minister whether it is possible that the US could use the lethal force inside Belize to go after cartel operatives.
Florencio Marin, Minister of Defense "We have not thrashed out exactly how that will be formalized. There is a lot of discussions that need to take place, you know? So whatever scores we have in our society I don't think we are at the level where we may need some lethal force against these criminal networkers. I don't think we are at that level and I hope we don't reach that level any at all."
We also asked Marin about their regional dominance which they have been flexing since President Trump took office. Today Minister Marin said that CARICOM as a bloc must stand together:
Florencio Marin, Minister of Defense "I think we have always known that Belize is a critical player in CARICOM we have worked together with CARICOM and well the US are the dominant player within the region so we don't really see that as any major issue for us once we stick with out partner nations with CARICOM to work together as one group I think we are okay. I mean if you are saying they will be able to force themselves on us or force some policies on us really no I don't anticipate that."
And while those interviews happened outside the hose meeting, today the big news Inside parliament was the presentation of the general revenue appropriations bill for 2026/2027. It's when parliament exercises its mandate to the fullest - determining how they will vote for appropriations to spend public funds. Here's Prime Minister Briceno's speech:
Prime Minister John BriceNo presented his first budget inside the newly refurbished National Assembly. It's a one-point-nine billion dollar roadmap titled "Budgeting for Belizean Prosperity.":
John Briceno, Prime Minister "In this period of widespread upheaval…, the proud truth is that Belize continues to shine as a distinctive land - steadfast, resilient and future-focused."
"The seeds have started to sprout, stirring our nation to a seminal surge in prosperity"
But while the official headline may be "Prosperity," the presentation comes as the economy hits a visible cooling phase - after hitting post-pandemic highs. Real GDP growth is estimated at 1.9% for 2025, a sharp drop from 3.5% in 2024. The 2026 projection is a modest 2.3%.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "As our nation is transitioning from the rapid post-pandemic rebound toward more sustainable, pre-pandemic growth conditions."
"Sustainable" may be the politically palatable term - but for economists, it signals a slowing engine as the post-COVID "bounce" officially evaporates.
The most significant pressure point is the public sector wage bill. In the last fiscal year spending on personal emoluments accounted for more than half of every dollar government earned:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Government's spending on salaries for its estimated 15,000 workforce - all teachers and public officers - was 598 million dollars, with an additional 123 million dollars spent on pensions and ex-gratia payments. Put differently, 58 cents of every dollar of government recurring spending goes to salaries and pensions. And put another way, 45 cents out of every dollar of tax collected are spent on just these two categories."
Despite that, government has committed to a four-percent salary increase for public officers.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "In the upcoming fiscal year, public officers, teachers and security personnel, will benefit from another 4.0% in salary increases, valued at $28.5 million on an annual basis. This will be in addition to last year's increase of 4.5% or some $31.5 million. In total, government has pledged wage and pension increases valued at $78.7 million for this fiscal year, surely an impressive adjustment by any measure."
"For this fiscal year, 780 million dollars is allotted to salaries and pensions, representing 60 percent of total recurrent spending. This total represents a net increase year-on-year of 82 million dollars, or about 11.7 percent."
"Madam Speaker, at $780 million, the wages and pensions charges account for almost 11 % of GDP - one of the highest in the region and therefore something that we have to keep under tight control."
And how does it all get funded? Not through corporate profits, which are actually projected to shrink this year, but through consumer taxes. More than half of all tax revenue - eight-hundred-and-forty-three million dollars - will come from taxes on goods and services.
In fact, growth in Tax collection is actually outpacing economic growth. Revenue is projected to grow at nearly four percent, while the economy it rests on is only growing at two-point-three.
And while the Prime Minister touts a primary surplus, the overall reality is a 110 million dollar deficit.
The government is betting six-hundred-and-six million dollars on capital projects to stimulate growth - Briceno listed a number of them:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "For Infrastructure Development:
$21.9 million for the upgrading of the George Price Highway from Belize City to Belmopan
$8.0 million for the upgrading of the Philip Goldson Highway from Mile 8 to Mile 24"
$3.8 million for the replacement of the Belize City Swing Bridge
$3.5 million for the replacement of the BELCAN Bridge
And, in closing, the Prime Minister reached for a a bridge to the future:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Yes, we may stumble. The ascent of the greatest empires has not been without falter. But their Belizean spirit will never falter. But the Belizean spirit will prevail and thrive."
Today's speech took one hour forty minutes to present. Last year's one took one hour, twenty minutes.
And in this new budget, the Health Ministry will be seeing an increase. Today Minister Kevin Bernard gave a brief explanation of how that increase will be used.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness "There's a lot actually, and I know that if you've seen the budget numbers, you've seen that the Ministry of Health has again gotten an increase in its budget. Apart from that, the NHI adds on to that budget."
"So, you're talking an entire investment of over $230 million in health. $180-something million dollars alone is via the Ministry of Health. And, of course, what we are looking at is improved delivery access."
"We are talking about digital transformation in health. We are talking about strengthening our human resource capacity, more training, as I said, in terms of getting our doctors specialized. And I want to thank all our health professionals."
"They are the ones who are the backbone of making the ministry work. And I think that it's investment in our people, investment in healthcare, investment in improving the delivery of services, investment in the pharmaceutical and medical supplies that are very much needed are things that we have in this budget."
"I will speak more of that in my presentation when the budget debate comes."
And in other health news, former KHMH CEO Chandra Cansino left office in October 2025. More than four months later, the post has still not been filled and the hospital has been acting without a CEO. But not for much longer - today the Health Minister said that the board will soon announce Cansino's replacement.
And, finally tonight…earlier in the news we told you about a virtual extortion attempt that caught a Belizean family in Chetumal.
Well, the Ambassador for Belize in Mexico, Oscar Arnold is reminding Belizeans that there are resources available in Mexico that are accessible to them. Additionally, he is calling on persons to be wiser when these scams occur:
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Tonight, the Belize Communication Workers for Justice may be under political attack - but they are not letting up.
"We're asking the prime minister, we came here because it's time to escalate this matter to people that do make the decisions. As we all know, BTL is owned by the Belizean people, the board members that are there are appointed by the present government of Belize and so we are asking for a meeting with the prime minister so that we can put this item to rest."
"A ruling has been made, a determination has been made and yet we have these workers still having to protest and to demand what is theirs. They have worked, they have earned their severance pay and the highest court has made a determination. Why it is that this government does not see the need to intervene in this matter blows my mind. It is important as they protest they know they are not protesting alone. They are our mothers, fathers, siblings, they're our neighbors, they're members of our constituencies. They have to know that the representatives are standing with them in solidarity."
"What we are about to do as Belizeans is getting an opportunity to go in there and sit while the House is meeting and all of a sudden we're Belizeans but we don't have a right to go in there. Our protest is over. We adhered to every single item that was placed before us which would be a violated. Now, yes the shirt, but it's not PUP or UDP shirt."
"She said she has to consult so somebody said who are you going to consult with, because you're the ranking officer, she didn't say who she went to consult with. One of the things they were concerned with our shirts, so some of us turned our shirts inside out, put on another shirt, waiting over 15 minutes to get permission to go into a House Meeting, for what reason? We have every right to go in there. Now if we storm it, they will say it's problem we're looking for but it's not problems that we are looking for, we have a right to enter the House."
"Outside this very house, Madam Speaker, former employees of BTL gathered this morning in a peaceful protest. They are not agitators. They are Belizeans who have given years, some of them, Madam Speaker, decades of service to the National Telecommunications Company that helped to build a modern communications network of this country."
"We are all agreed that they must be paid their severance. We hear them, Madam Speaker, and we support their right to be paid their severance. As a matter of fact, Madam Speaker, this is the party and the government of workers of this country."
"On a point of order, this has nothing to do with the BTL thing with the SOH bill."
Social media lit up last night when news went out that three Belizeans youths had been abducted in Chetumal after the hopped into an Uber.
A stabbing incident claimed the life of 29 year old Private Raheed Flowers - hours after he had marched for Heroes and Benefactors day along with his fellow soldiers as part of the BDF Band.
"On Monday police responded to the report of a stabbing at Gladden street in Belize City. Upon their arrival they received information that a male person had been stabbed. He was identified as Raheed Flowers, a BDF soldier. Information is that Flowers was at a yard at Gladden street when there was a fight and a male person inflicted stab wounds to him. He was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. We are looking for one suspect in regards to this stabbing incident."
"Like any other young Belizean today, uncertain and really do I want to wear the uniform because the motto of the present Belize Defence Band is military attitude and musical skill. So to couple the 2 of them right now is the hardest thing to do, we struggle with people understanding that it is more than a marching band. Often you will hear narrators and emcees and directors of ceremonies just referring to the BDF marching band it is much more than that when you have to put on your uniform you don your uniform and you conform to military discipline. That comes first and foremost and then you pick up your instrument and play. He was able to say that I want to do that and he did it."
He appeared hooded on surveillance video, as he fatally shot 26 year old Edward Saldano at close range on Amara Avenue, before fleeing the scene on foot. But police managed to track down their prime suspect in the broad daylight street murder.
And for the first time in history, paddlers went against the norm and staged a "Protest Paddle". Over 20 out of the 58 teams joined in to send a strong statement to the organizing committee. Our team was also there - and here's the story:
Elvin Penner, Vice President, Belize Canoe Association 
Raynard Humphreys, Supporter
Francis Usher, Pact On Trak, Team Manager 
Tonight, the Feinstein group has seriously turned up the pressure on the government of Belize for its acquisition of Sake Bank island.
"I cannot respond in detail to what the Prime Minister said. I know that the Prime Minister also, as the leader of this government, has been having diplomatic discussions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
And in other empire maneuvers, last week Minister of Defense Florencio Marin was invited to Doral Florida to participate in the Americas Counter Cartel Conference - led by the US Secretary of War. Today we asked minister Marin about it - and he started with the invitation:
Florencio Marin, Minister of Defense 
"In this period of widespread upheaval…, the proud truth is that Belize continues to shine as a distinctive land - steadfast, resilient and future-focused."
