In the statement, the Public Service Union also estimated that the three increments owed to public servants by the government are equivalent to a seven-point-five percent salary adjustment. P.S.U. demands that the government make this adjustment, further estimating that approximately forty percent of public servants earn less than twenty thousand dollars annually. P.S.U. President, Dean Flowers elaborates on these demands.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“Our calculation shows that the increases especially where the Cab Sec is concerned overs around fifteen percent We’re asking for half of that. We’re asking for a salary adjustment of seven point five percent and we’re not asking in the sense of begging for consideration, we’re saying to the government of Belize, whether it was under the UDP, whether it is under the PUP, you have withheld a minimum of sevent point five percent salary from public offices. So we’re demanding that seven point a half percent. We’re not asking to enter into negotiation for over seven point a half percent. We’re saying if you can give your CEO caucus and your cabinet secretary and by extension yourself, because there is no way any minister will continue to sit and watch the CEOs earn more than them. That’s foolish for one of us to think that the ministers will not get an equivalent salary adjustment. And so we’re saying, look, give us what we deserve and what you’ve withheld from us, our seven point a half percent, and that’s non-negotiable. We’re also saying in 2024, we signed our CBA. Our CBA was made effective 2021. We’ve had this conversation with the Ministry of Public Service to see you transferred persons up until 2024 at the rate of $one thousand two hundred in transfer grants. The CBA says, and the CBA is a legally binding document, and it again. It is for public officers to decide whether they wish to sue the government for these monies with interest included. And I want to take advantage one time and say, including those persons who are indebted at their income tax return, you have the right to sue with interest. So we’re saying to the government, we want you to pay those retro payments from 2021 to all public officers who were transferred that difference of three hundred dollars.”
As the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, these salary increases are happening just before the 2025/2026 budget presentation. So, when will the meeting at the National Assembly take place? Panton says the opposition hasn’t received notice with the date yet.
On the Phone: Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“We have not at all. We have only heard what the prime minister has indicated in the public domain that he is looking somewhere in mid-May for a budget presentation. This is not the prime minister’s first rodeo, and he certainly did all he could do to try and secure thirty-one seats. So for him to use the excuse to say we just had an election and we need to realign our ministries and priorities is not acceptable. So, you knew you were running to take on another term. You outlined in your manifesto your commitments to the people, so any realignment in the budget should not, and we have finite resources, it is not like it should be that difficult or take so long to make whatever adjustments he may deem necessary immediately following an election.”
Animal cruelty has been a major concern for Belizeans across the country. Recently, we’ve covered stories about neglected and abused horses and dogs being shot by police officers. But animal cruelty takes many forms and happens around us every day. In tonight’s edition of the Five-Point Breakdown, we examine the culture of animal cruelty in Belize and the laws that protect animals. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Less than a week ago, a shocking video showing a brutal attack on a horse with a machete went viral, causing widespread concern across the country. Following the incident, five people, including three minors, were charged with animal cruelty. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time such a crime has happened in Belize. Just this past January, a police officer was charged after a video of him repeatedly beating a dog circulated on social media. Animal cruelty occurs every day, but it’s rarely caught on camera or reported.
What is Animal cruelty?
Britney Gordon
Belize’s Cruelty to Animals Act outlines penalties for any person who refuses or neglects to provide and supply animals in their care with food and water, and any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, over-drives, over-loads, or tortures animals. It even makes provisions for those mishandling animals or engaging in animal fighting, but what are these penalties?
The law allows police officers to arrest anyone violating its provisions without needing any other authority or warrant, so offenders can be brought before a magistrate and dealt with according to the law. Recently, Police Commissioner Chester Williams prosecuted the case against the five men accused of injuring the horse.
Penalties for Cruelty to Animals
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police (File: April 11th, 2025)
“Under the law, the offense of the offense of cruelty to animal carries a imprisonment term of six months. And there is no provision there for a fine. Yes, we know that applying the legal principles that even though a fine is not there, the magistrate at trial if found guilty can still impose a fine or they can go at a custodial sentence depending on how they see the evidence and the different submissions that the different parties may make at that particular juncture.”
Animal abuse has become normalized in Belizean society. While most people don’t see themselves as abusers, many ignore the instances of cruelty happening around them every day. Dr. Jane Crawford, a veterinarian with nearly thirty years of experience, has treated dozens of animals hurt by humans.
The Normalization of Animal Abuse in Belize
Jane Crawford
Dr. Jane Crawford, Veterinarian, Animal Medical Center
“During my time working as a vet, we have had animals come in that were maybe chopped by machette. Maybe the neighbor has a grievance against a neighbor and they will take it out on the animal. So we would see quite a few cases of that. And I think we have to also know that cruelty is not only physical abuse, it’s also neglect that you just, you have your animal chain all the time and you don’t feed it on time. So all of that plays a part in in cruelty to animals.”
Crawford has seen a decline in severe cases of animal cruelty. However, every case is still heartbreaking to witness.
Dr. Jane Crawford
“We get animals that they have been thrown hot water on them. I had one particular case where somebody had forced the dog to eat a hot boiled egg. And so we got burns all inside the mouth and we get animals that are just thrown away. And then just kicked and hit. So you get fractures and broken bones and all of that.”
Across the country, several organizations are championing animal rights. These groups are made up of volunteers like Odessa Solis, who have devoted their lives to rehoming injured animals and strays and raising awareness about proper animal care. Solis believes the problem with many Belizeans is that they see animals as property, rather than living beings with needs and feelings.
Belizeans Step up to the Plate for Animal Rights
Odessa Solis
Odessa Solis, Animal Rescue Volunteer
“It’s been a hardship for us to experience now growing up in our community, looking at the neglect that the animals are going through and the abuse. And basically what I do to contribute to my community. I work along with my mom where she lives, there’s so many animals on the streets that are neglected and abused, and what we do is provide just a home, provide meals, water, any medical help and just basically assist them with whatever needs they need.”
Sheltering and feeding the fifteen animals currently under their care has become a costly endeavor for Solis and her mother, but they continue to reach out to the public for support as they attempt to rehome them. A tough part of the job is assisting animals that come from abusive or neglectful homes.
Odessa Solis
“Animals that are treated really badly do come with their downside, right? However, being the kind of person that me and my mom are, we’re very patient. We try to put ourselves in those situations to understand, you know?”
In the recent horse abuse case, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) stepped in to treat the injured animal. Zoe Roberson Zetina, BAHA’s Managing Director, emphasizes that BAHA advocates for the humane treatment of all animals, whether they are pets or work animals.
Zoe Roberson Zetina
Zoe Roberson Zetina, Managing Director, BAHA
“We always believe in the humane treatment of animals, and so this is definitely something that we condemn and we condemn it in all its forms. We do take keen interest in animal welfare, but that is a component of BAHA that we have not properly developed. So there are different animal humane society and different agencies that look after this type of thing in a more detailed way than, BAHA does, but there is a component of animal welfare that we monitor and we condemn the actions. So that is a big part of why we will respond to all injuries that are reported to BAHA.”
Dealing with animals can be frustrating, and this often leads people to act violently. However, Dr. Jane Crawford advises pet owners to step away from the situation and return once they’ve calmed down. Odessa Solis explains that she will continue to help neglected or abused animals, but without full support from the public and police, there’s only so much she and other volunteers can do.
Ending Animal Cruelty in Belize
Odessa Solis
“I feel like those people that do these awful things they really have some issues to deal with. They need help personally. But at the same time, I would like for the government or even the police department to be aware that you do have citizens that need that help, that support from you guys because it’s sometimes it’s very hard to go to some neighborhoods and try to fight for these animals. And these people are very resistant to the assistance.”
Many animal rights activists hope that by continuing their efforts and speaking out, Belize will strengthen its penalties for animal cruelty and reduce the daily instances of abuse. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed three businesses in San Pedro on Tuesday night. The blaze was first seen around nine o’clock, coming from Brunolitos near the park on Front Street. The Belize National Fire Service hasn’t released official details yet, but News Five spoke with two people who helped out. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
A fire destroyed three businesses in San Pedro on Tuesday night. The blaze started at Brunolitos and quickly spread to two neighboring businesses. Coast Guard Acting Commandant, Lieutenant Alma Pinelo, was one of the first responders and joined the bucket brigade when the fire truck faced difficulties.
On the Phone: Lt. Alma Pinelo, First Responder
“A traffic officer, I don’t know his name, he was the one that told us to start getting a line together. And you know, as San Pedranos, we know what that means. We didn’t have enough buckets at the time. Ambergris Today had put on their live, you know, if anybody has any buckets, please bring it to Front Street. They shared a picture, that picture went viral for us to get buckets. And then we went from having four buckets to having about 20 buckets within less than 20 minutes. Some of us got out of the line, myself included, and we started ferrying the empty buckets from the beginning of the line to the sea, and there was about four, six men in the water filling the buckets with water. And then we would just bring the buckets back and forth until we did that easily for over an hour.”
Island Emergency Services, owned by Abner Bacab, rushed to support the firefighters by supplying oxygen. Bacab shared with us how his team stepped in to help.
Abner Bacab
Abner Bacab, First Responder
“A lot of the times, the firefighters, you know, as an emergency move fast to try to get to the area or location of the fire, combatting the fire. Sometimes, you don’t have time to get ready. They arrive very fast at the scene, so sometimes, they run out of air that they used to breathe. But I know that in couple instances they would breathe in the smoke or the carbon monoxide that is produced from the smoke. So, after combating the fire – the most important thing is to combat the fire and try to contain it and stop it, you know, so sometimes, they would breathe a lot of smoke and that affects them in many ways. It can affect your nervous system, it can affect your brain cells, all of these things because you are low on oxygen. Definitely, after I was there for a little bit helping trying to get some stuff salvaged from a couple of business friends that I know that have businesses there.”
Bacab and Pinelo both agree that the island’s fire service needs an upgrade. They also think more hydrants are needed on the tourist island.
Abner Bacab
“Maybe like a month of two, we had a lot of problems within the fire department where the firefighters were complaining of the working environments: the equipment, the tools that they needed to do their work, you know, so most of it they had said was use the equipment they had got. At least it’s something, but it’s not the best equipment for our firefighters. As we know, this has been a problem for a long time now. We should see the need for better equipment and for B.W.S. to do maybe some fire hydrants or something to where when you run out of water that the fire truck could easily hook onto and then you have a source of water, or even if it’s just something to go out to the sea, something.”
Along with the seven-point five percent salary increase, the union is also pushing for transfer grants to go up from twelve hundred to one thousand, five hundred dollars. They want the government to make sure every public officer transferred between 2021 and 2024 gets the one thousand, five hundred dollars they’re owed, as per the negotiated agreement. P.S.U. President, Dean Flowers, pointed out that these demands haven’t been met yet, and despite no budget review, a C.E.O. salary increase has been approved.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“In essence, we’re saying to them that we want a response to that framework within twenty-one days, so that we can move ahead with the negotiations. And more specifically with the submission of proposals that are to be considered under the new CBA. So they have twenty-one days to respond to us before we go back to our membership and ask for a mandate on how we proceed. Despite the elections, the government had enough time to look at that framework and to provide us with a response. But clearly they do not prioritize public officers. They do not prioritize improving the lives and the working conditions of public officers. So they’ve dragged their feet there and now that the election is behind us and a new cabinet has been installed. We’re hoping that we will get a response within twenty-one days. We will be thereafter submitting our proposals and on the negotiations, I’m hoping we’ll then proceed and we can close those negotiations within six to twelve months at maximum. Within the framework, we’re proposing a maximum of one year of negotiations.”
PSU President Dean Flowers also shared that the Union has submitted its framework for a new CBA to the government and are awaiting a response from the government. The PSU has allocated twenty-one days for the government to receive that response, after which the union will submit its proposals regardless of what that framework states. Flowers elaborated on the union’s urgent need for a response to the framework to advance CBA negotiations.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“In essence, we’re saying to them that we want a response to that framework within twenty-one days, so that we can move ahead with the negotiations. And more specifically with the submission of proposals that are to be considered under the new CBA. So they have twenty-one days to respond to us before we go back to our membership and ask for a mandate on how we proceed. Despite the elections, the government had enough time to look at that framework and to provide us with a response. But clearly they do not prioritize public officers. They do not prioritize improving the lives and the working conditions of public officers. So they’ve dragged their feet there and now that the election is behind us and a new cabinet has been installed. We’re hoping that we will get a response within twenty-one days. We will be thereafter submitting our proposals and on the negotiations, I’m hoping we’ll then proceed and we can close those negotiations within six to twelve months at maximum. Within the framework, we’re proposing a maximum of one year of negotiations.”
The ongoing erosion of Placencia beach has sparked concern among thecommunity, leading to discussions on how to tackle the problem before the popular tourist spot loses its entire beachfront. The Ministries of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development, and Infrastructure Development recently met with Placencia residents to address the issue. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with Brice Dial, the Placencia Village Council Secretary, and Albert Loewen, a property owner, who explained the plan to move forward. Here’s the report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
In March, several Placencia residents gathered at the beach to remove rocks that had been piled up in front of private property as a form of protection. The property owner, worried about erosion on his beachfront, had built the rock wall to preserve the area. However, environmental research shows that these rock walls cause erosion at other beachfront properties further south on the peninsula. Erosion has been a problem in Placencia for a while now. Brice Dial, Secretary of the Placencia Village Council, says that progress in one part of the area has led to problems for them in Placencia.
On the Phone: Brice Dial, Secretary, Placencia Village Council
“There’s a lack of flow of sand coming to the peninsula now, partly because of extraction of material from the South Stann Creek River and diversions to the river. There has been a diversion for pumping water, for irrigation for the banana farms. So that’s one of the issues.”
The erosion problem worsened for Placencia residents living south of the peninsula because those living to the north placed rocks on the beach in front of their homes to protect their beachfront.
On the Phone: Brice Dial
“If every single property owner along the coast is capturing sand, at some point there is going to be no sand moving down south, which is basically where we’re at right now. So that natural replenishment that used to happen isn’t happening, and we had a scientist here working along with a group called Strong Coast, and that scientist gathered data of the entire peninsula. And there was a meeting, I think it’s going on two weeks now. He said in the meeting, he’s a specialist with coastal erosion. He said that approach is not something that is recommended by the experts. It just fixes the immediate problem in front of a property, but overall it causes more damage than good.”
A Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida recently conducted a project in Placencia. She also weighed in on the erosion issue and shared Dr. Ping Wang’s suggestions from a community meeting on the topic.
Maya Trotz
Maya Trotz, Professor, Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida
“The question for here is, I think, do you go through that process of doing the rocks and the sea walls and then learning two decades later that you know, there is another way to do this? Or do you start sort of testing and doing some pilots on what beach nourishment might look like, coupled with many other things, so coupled with beach nourishment, but maybe coupled with adding more vegetation, so that you have some sort of dunes on the beach front that can also help to hold the sand. Many people here would like to see more literal forests and just the natural vegetation come back and then on the seaside, if you nourish the beach – so this is like bringing your sand onto the beach and then it over time will naturally form with a structure that would stay there for longer. You’ll continue to have to nourish, but it’ll be a couple years maybe, and then maybe, you know, Dr. Wang was talking this morning when we passed the Placencia airport, that that has a lot of rocks. It’s important infrastructure, but also that might be an area where you could cover the rocks and make that sort of a dune.”
Albert Loewen lives in the northern end, in Maya Beach. He came up with a plan to solve the issue.
Albert Loewen
Albert Loewen, Property Owner, Maya Beach
“I already asked somebody this week if I could start with my beach if I was allowed to barge in some sand to replenish my beach, and they said that’d be a good idea to actually do a trial on my beach at my cost to try barge in some sand and see how replenishment works. So I think that’s the approach and then we try to get government involved because again, Placencia generates a lot of income for Belize. The initial issue that Placencia had, they needed about $200,000 to fix their problem that they have right now, so they’ll have to spend about a half a million dollars to start with or more, but once we get it fixed once, we will probably only have to spend about a hundred thousand a year to keep the replenishment stable in on, on the, on the Placencia beach.”
Loewen estimates it will cost about a quarter million dollars to dredge material from the sea and fill the eroded beach. He believes this is a better option than placing rock walls along the northern end of the peninsula, which would eventually leave the entire south of Placencia without a beach. However, a recent meeting between the village council and relevant ministries has resulted in a plan. According to a press release, they are committed to addressing any human-induced factors contributing to the problem. They also acknowledge the impact of climate change on Placencia. The plan includes enforcing environmental regulations strictly against non-compliance and increasing vigilance through frequent inspections. Additionally, they will formally notify the Cabinet of the concerns raised by all stakeholders and the proposed actions by agencies to address the issue. Marion Ali for News Five.
A prominent lecturer at the University of Belize (UB) was placed on administrative leave on Thursday, April 10, after complaints of sexual harassment were made against him.
News Five has learnt that UB has at least four complaints against Dr Pio Saqui, who is also the president of the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU).
This was confirmed with a UB official who told News 5 exclusively, “We have received the allegations. We are taking it seriously. We are engaging transparent and thorough protocols of the UB policies with an intent for speedy and fair resolution based on the necessary investigation.”
News Five has reached out to Dr Saqui for comment multiple times.
The most recent damning complaint is dated April 8. The four complainants alleged that his behaviours included but were not limited to “unwanted touching”, “unsolicited and persistent comments about students’ appearances and bodies”, “repeated requests for hugs and physical contact despite visible discomfort and refusal”, and “invasive questions about students’ personal relationships, sexual activity, and home life”. The letter also referenced testimonies from four students who said Saqui allegedly made sexual remarks, gave unsolicited massages, and engaged in repeated physical contact without consent.
The complainants have requested that Saqui be removed from teaching and field duties pending an impartial investigation and that measures be taken to protect students from retaliation.
They cite the University of Belize Student Handbook (May 2024), “which guarantees students the right to learn in an environment free from harassment, abuse, and intimidation. More urgently, it also breaches the newly enacted Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2024.” The act defines sexual harassment as “any unwelcome sexual advance, comment, gesture, or physical contact of a sexual nature that causes humiliation, intimidation, or creates an offensive environment.”
The complaints, dating back to 2010, include reports from students who allege Saqui sent them inappropriate messages, made repeated advances, and engaged in behaviour they described as unprofessional and harassing.
We are told that the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs have been made aware of the allegations. To date, no official police report has been made.
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has issued a statement addressing serious allegations of rape involving a senior member of the trade union community. The NTUCB says it has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual violence, abuse, and misconduct.
In the press release, the NTUCB expressed its commitment to justice, advocating for empathy towards both the alleged victim and the accused. The umbrella union stressed the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
“The NTUCB remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and respect in all public and professional areas of life. We will continue to monitor this matter closely and support the affiliate union in its rightful authority to advocate for fair and equitable justice.”
As we reported, a well-known union leader and activist is facing serious allegations of sexual assault stemming from an incident that reportedly occurred six years ago. The alleged victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, recently shared her story with News Five, expressing frustration over the lack of justice despite her attempts to have the man arrested and charged.
According to the woman, the assault took place in the early morning hours of April 13, 2019, following a period of persistent unwanted advances from the man, which began as early as 2017. She said she had repeatedly made it clear that she was not interested in a romantic relationship and only agreed to meet with him under the condition that they would discuss union-related matters.
However, what she believed would be a brief, work-focused conversation turned into a nightmare. The woman alleges that after taking her to a local establishment, the man offered to drive her home but stopped on the roadside between Rustic Korner and Haulover, where he then forced himself on her. She described how he pulled up her dress, tore at her clothing, and raped her, despite her pleas and refusals.
To date, she says no charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator, and her calls for accountability have gone unanswered. The case raises renewed questions about justice, abuse of power, and the silencing of victims within professional spaces.
The Public Service Union of Belize (PSU) has issued a scathing condemnation of the Briceño Administration, accusing it of “shameless self-enrichment” while public officers continue to face stagnant wages and economic hardship.
In a strongly worded release likening the administration to the corrupt leadership in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the PSU blasted recent salary hikes for top government officials.
As we have reported, the pay adjustments, outlined in a government memo dated March 28, were approved with retroactive effect from March 13—just days after the 2025 general election.
Under the new terms, Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie’s annual salary increases to $96,000, while Chief Executive Officers will now earn $88,000—an increase of 15.7% from their previous salary of $76,000.
“These grotesque displays of self-interest come while public officers are still waiting for the reinstatement of three withheld increments, equivalent to a 7.5% salary adjustment,” the union stated. It also noted that roughly 40% of public servants earn under $20,000 a year and are struggling to survive on what it describes as poverty wages.
The PSU criticised the Financial Secretary and CEO Caucus for enabling what it called a “culture of exploitation” and questioned whether CEOs seeking private-sector-level pay should remain in public service. “The people of Belize deserve leaders who serve them, not predators who exploit them,” the union declared.
The PSU warned that these top-level salary adjustments could trigger a domino effect, potentially increasing ministers’ salaries to match the new $96,000 base. “If these CEOs desire private-sector-level compensation for their largely ceremonial roles, they should exit the public sector and “prove their worth” in the corporate world.”
The union is calling for immediate action from the Briceño Administration to address long-standing concerns affecting public officers. Among its key demands is a 7.5% salary adjustment to account for three withheld increments. The PSU is also requesting an increase in transfer grants from $1,200 to $1,500, in line with the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), along with retroactive payments to officers who have been underpaid since 2021. Additionally, the union is urging the government to respond promptly to the Joint Unions’ CBA framework to advance stalled negotiations. The PSU has given the administration a 21-day deadline to issue a written commitment to fulfill these demands.
The PSU also reminded its members that “you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate,” and urged all public officers to remain united. The union warned that if the administration fails to act, it will have no choice but to mobilise for collective industrial action.
“Enough is enough,” the release concluded. It says the government “must cease its parasitic enrichment and honour its obligations to the people who sustain this nation.”
