After nearly ninety-five percent of the union’s membership voted to reject the government’s offer and over ninety-one percent voted to declare a trade dispute, PSU leadership peacefully marched to the Ministry of Labor this morning to hand-deliver their declaration.
PSU President Dean Flowers addressed the membership upon arriving at the office, reaffirming the union’s refusal to back down from their demands for an 8.5 percent salary adjustment in this fiscal year. Flowers outlined the union’s next steps, stating that coordinated action with other unions would begin within the coming weeks.
“Within that 21 days in coordination with the BNTU, in coordination with the APSSM, we shall start applying force and power and pain on the Briceño administration who is simply not listening to the workers,” Flowers declared.
The PSU President directed sharp criticism at Prime Minister John Briceño. “The Prime Minister has been in office for five years. He stands out of as one of the leaders, and I’m pretty quite sure they’re not, there may not be a whole lot of them, but he stands out as a leader that in five years he has not sat with the PSU,” Flowers said.
Flowers expressed frustration with what he characterized as the Prime Minister’s approach to public service management. “Imagine the man will lead the public service, has never sat with the PSU because he believes that PSU is his private company and he’s treating it like that and that that disrespect, he’s known his second term. He has held one meeting in five years with the joint unions and that was a meeting that he attempted to hijack our agenda.”
Flowers issued a stern warning about pension reforms, drawing distinctions between private and public sector labor relations. “And so while the honorable Minister of State might be accustomed to having his way in the private sector, I wish to serve a serious warning. It ain’t gonna happen in the public sector, my brother.”
“And we will die for that pension until such time. Until such time as we can adequately negotiate. A salary review exercise that fairly compensate public officers and allow them to contribute into a pension fund. We will continue to resist that. IMF. Recommendation to put more P in Pam public. We will not subscribe to that.”
Henry, who now serves as Examiner of Accounts II, said he was the most qualified candidate, citing both seniority and a master’s degree earned in 2016. He alleged the rejection was biased and personal and said no reason was provided.
But the Office of the Auditor General has since issued a formal response, stating that both Henry and Obermayer were previously deemed an “audit risk” after refusing to adhere to the office’s code of ethics aligned with international auditing standards.
According to the Auditor General, the pair declined to follow the internal policy requiring staff to sign a code of conduct under the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) 130.
The release further states that due to non-productivity, neither individual was eligible for appraisal. It also claims that one had not approached supervisors to complete required evaluations. While one officer has since been re-engaged and assigned to an audit team in hopes of improved performance, the office clarified that Obermayer is no longer employed there and cannot represent the office publicly. Her pension benefits have already been settled.
Tonight, heartbreak grips the village of Bella Vista, where a family is mourning the devastating loss of two siblings. David and Sidney Montenegro were tragically killed in a road traffic accident over the weekend. The pair had just been enjoying a swim in Medina Bank when their journey home took a fatal turn. The vehicle they were in veered off the road and crashed into a roadside drain. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. A third passenger, Asucion Tush, survived and was rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital for treatment. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
What started as a joyful Saturday outing ended in heartbreak when siblings David and Sidney Montenegro were killed in a car accident. The two had spent the day swimming in Medina Bank with David’s former high school teacher, Asucion Tush. But on their way home, things took a tragic turn. According to police, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith is expected to share more details as the investigation continues.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“This accident resulted in the death of siblings Sidney Montenegro, twenty-one years of age, and Juan David Montenegro, twenty years of age, as well as the injury of Mr. Asucion to when police responded to the scene of the incident. A brown in color, pickup truck was observed. So far, the investigation has revealed. That the vehicle containing the occupants and being driven by Juan was heading from Medina Bank towards Bella Vista Village, where upon arriving at the aforementioned location, the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to flip several times the scene of the accident has been processed and an inspection is slated to be carried out on the vehicle to ascertain.”
Reporter
“What, if any, clarity it can provide in relation to the cause of the accident?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“We do not have any clear indication of that so far. However, we can confirm that alcohol bottles were seen were viewed on the scene.”
The crash happened at mile fifty-one on the Thomas Vincent Highway, just a short drive from the Montenegro family’s home in Bella Vista. At the time, Ninoska Montenegro and her husband were relaxing at home, completely unaware that their world was about to change. Then came the devastating call: their children had been in a terrible accident.
Ninoska Montenegro
Ninoska Montenegro, Mother of Deceased
“I got off my motorcycle. I was scared and nervous. I felt like someone threw a bucketful of cold water over me.”
As soon as they heard the news, Ninoska Montenegro and her husband rushed to the crash site. What they found was every parent’s worst fear—Sidney, David, and their teacher, Asucion Tush, lying outside a wrecked pickup truck. Tush was still alive and was quickly taken to the Southern Regional Hospital for treatment. But for Sidney and David, it was already too late. They were pronounced dead at the scene. What makes this even more heartbreaking, David had just graduated high school the day before. He was the first of four siblings to reach that milestone.
Ninoska Montenegro
“He was such a happy one, like his name, Juan David; he was a Don Juan, and girls loved him and he always aspired to do better. .”
David Montenegro had plans to return to Costa Rica, to study civil engineering, a step toward building a better future for himself and his family. His sister, Sidney, was already making waves in Belize’s football scene. Since 2023, she had been a standout player for the Sagitun Girlz, earning praise for her skill and determination. The Football Federation of Belize even recognized her as a rising star, and she was set to represent the country in the upcoming Central American Football Union tournament this July. Her mother shared that no matter how many knocks or injuries Sidney took on the field, she never wanted to quit. Football was her passion, and she gave it everything she had.
Ninoska Montenegro
“She cried and begged me to allow her to continue playing football. She told me, Mom, I don’t give you any issues with boyfriends, drugs, or anything like that, all i ask is to please allow me to continue playing.”
On the day of the incident, David and Sidney had met up with group of friends to go swimming. Before leaving, Ninoska encouraged them to remain safe, as she typically did. She never imagined that would be the last time she’d see her two children alive.
Ninoska Montenegro
“Whether it was David who was driving or the owner of the vehicle, the responsibility is always on the owner of the vehicle because David did not have a license. I don’t have a problem if there’s a good teacher-student relationship, but I consider that it is not appropriate to have those types of relationships outside of the institutions..”
Ninoska Montenegro says her children made mistakes just like everyone else, but still deserved to come home to their family at the end of the day.
Ninoska Montenegro
“They were dynamic kids, happy and fun. Yes, they made mistakes, and they had their mischievous phase in their adolescence, but we always managed to get through it together.”
In the wake of their heartbreaking loss, the Montenegro family is speaking out. They’re now advocating for safer roads across Belize and urging everyone to buckle up, no matter how short the trip. Their message is simple but powerful: seatbelts save lives. Britney Gordon for News Five.
More details to come as the investigation continues.
A quiet afternoon in Unitedville took a dark turn when a young boy, on his way to a football game, made a chilling discovery, forty-seven-year-old Paul Serano’s lifeless body lying in the village cemetery. Police have since detained one person in connection with the murder. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared an update with reporters as the investigation continues.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“Police are investigating the death of two male persons whose bodies were found in advanced states of decomposition in separate parts of the country. The first in Unitedville where on Wednesday fourth June police visited the cemetery and identified the body of a male person. Someone has since come forward and identified the body as being a relative of theirs. But because of the advanced state of decomposition, DNA testing is required to do a more positive identification. The body of this male person discovered in Unitedville exhibited apparent gunshot wounds and now awaits a postmortem at the National Forensics and Science Laboratory.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Benancio Coc was reported missing on May third. Now, more than a month later, a grim discovery has been made, a body was found hanging from a tree behind the University of Belize gymnasium in Belmopan. Police say the body is badly decomposed, making it difficult to confirm the identity right away. However, early indications suggest it may be Coc. Investigators are now waiting on the results of a postmortem to determine both the identity and the cause of death.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“On Friday sixth June, at approximately eleventh thirty, police were called to an area behind the University of Belize Gymnasiums where they identified the body of a male person that was suspended from a three. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition. However, it bore documents that may be able to assist in the identification of this person. It is suspected to be the body of Benanco Coc who was last seen on May thirty, 2025. However, because of the advanced state of decomposition the police will be undertaking the necessary steps to have a DNA analysis done for a more positive identification. The body now awaits a postmortem. Investigation cannot give a conclusive position,however the circumstances appears to be indicative of that, but the postmortemexamination will provide more clarity.”
Paul Lopez
“Any indication on how long he may have been deceased?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“No information thus far. The investigation is in its infant stage and continues.”
It didn’t make headlines, but last Thursday a charter flight from the Trump administration quietly touched down at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, bringing home thirteen Belizean deportees. Today, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared that only one of the returnees is required to check in with police weekly. She also gave an update on Jody Rhamdas, who was detained after arriving on a previous deportation flight.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“Yes we can confirm that a flight came in with approximately thirteen individuals. One compliance letter was issued. The other person was not issued with compliance letter. This is the letter provided for under the Summary Jurisdiction Offenses Act, which requires the deported person to sign in at a station convenient to their address during a period stated in the letter.”
Paul Lopez
“And the rest are free from that.”
ASP Stacy Smith
“They were not issued with compliance letters.”
Paul Lopez
“Is that to say there were no detention, individuals wanted by police.”
ASP Stacy Smith
“No information in that regard. As a follow up to the previous flight where Mr. Jody Rhamdas was detained. He is currently at a Kolbe Foundation on the strength of a commitment warrant, as a consequence of a mater pending before the court. He is pending application for bail revocations as the conditions related to that bail is that he should have signed in and ought not to have left the jurisdiction.”
A violent clash in La Democracia Village sent two men to the hospital after a fight turned dangerous. According to police, Tyrone Godoy and Paul Smith got into a heated argument that escalated quickly, one armed with a knife, the other with a machete. Both men were injured during the altercation and had to be hospitalized. Police are now investigating the incident and shared more details with reporters earlier today.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“Police are investigating a chopping incident that occur on eight June 2025, at approximately nine fifty P.M. in Democracia. The investigation has thus far revealed that Tyrone Godoy and Paul Smith, both of the said village, and both of whom were armed, one with a knife and the other with a machete got into a physical altercation which resulted in both individuals receiving injuries to the upper part of their bodies. The male person, Mr. Godoy is currently hospitalized at the KHMH and Mr. Smith who was detained shortly after, also requested medical attention. Statements are being recorded from both individuals and these statements will dictate what charges will be levied under the circumstances.”
In an update to our coverage of the ongoing joint unions standoff, a circular was issued today in which the PSU announced that an overwhelming ninety-four percent of its members have rejected the government’s latest wage proposal, which included a phased salary increment and a new pension contribution requirement. Even more striking, over ninety-one percent of members voted in favor of declaring a trade dispute, set to take effect tomorrow, June tenth. At the heart of the dispute is the government’s refusal to approve a six-dollar minimum wage increase for nearly nine hundred essential workers, school wardens, janitors, cleaners, security officers, and others, who the union says are being undervalued and politically sidelined. The PSU also criticized the government’s decision to deny an eight-point-five percent salary increase for public officers this fiscal year, instead offering only two incremental raises spread over three years. To make matters worse, the proposal ties these limited benefits to a five percent pension contribution for new hires starting October first. In response, the PSU is invoking the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act, formally notifying the Minister of Labor of the union’s intent to declare a trade dispute. Union leaders are calling on members from Belmopan and surrounding western towns to join them in a peaceful walk to the Ministry of Human Transformation, where they will hand-deliver the declaration. The PSU is also urging department heads to grant union members time off with full pay to participate in this critical action, citing Public Service Regulations.
Eleven teachers who were facing charges after a protest last week in Dangriga are now officially in the clear. On Friday, B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz announced that all charges have been dropped. The teachers had been accused of disrupting traffic near the town’s entrance during a demonstration on Wednesday morning. But what changed? According to Caliz, a key conversation between her and Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado helped shift the outcome. We caught up with ComPol Rosado earlier today, and he explained what led to his decision to let the matter go.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“I believe the meeting was productive, it was fruitful. We recognize that the plight that the teachers and unions and the public officers are going through, but our discussion mainly centers about doing their protest within the context of the law and ensuring that we have an open dialogue moving forward. The unions have committed to having an open dialogue. We also recognize that the situation in Dangriga, as highlighted by the union, was an anomaly in respect to all other demonstrations across the country. For the most part, the unions have been peaceful in terms of doing that demonstration and we welcome that and we ask them to continue to dialogue with us.”
Reporter
“So that was the consideration made when you decided to drop these charges?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“Well the union brought to us additional evidential material for us to consider inour deliberation to withdraw the charges.”
Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado is under fire after being accused of using the police force to intimidate teachers during a protest in Dangriga last week. Union President Dean Flowers didn’t hold back last week, accusing Doctor Rosado of weaponizing the department when teachers blocked the entrance to the town on June fourth. But the Commissioner isn’t staying silent. In response to what he called ‘incendiary remarks,’ Doctor Rosado had a few choice words of his own for the union leader.
Reporter
“How would you respond to the PSU President sort of calling you out, saying that you are weaponizing the police department? He called you a puppet, you know, it was a plethora of commentary against you.”
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“It is difficult, or I should be careful in what I say, but it is difficult for me to respond to someone who does not understand the dynamics of policing, who does not understand the challenges in policing. I believe that individual just wants to spew nonsense for his own aggrandizement. But I want to ask you in the media to ask him how his phone number, connected to him, is linked to a high-profile investigation involving public officers.”
