July 14, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

NTUCB: “A Movement to Make Our Citizens Conscious”

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) marked its 59th anniversary on Saturday with a march and rally under the theme “Only the People Can Save the People.”

Several unions gathered in Belize City to call for better governance, respect for workers’ rights, and economic fairness while celebrating almost six decades of existence.

“Having all these people out here on a Saturday shows that they are interested in what they do as workers, and it also shows that they want serious change in Belize… when it comes to good governance, when it comes to union respect, and to systematic change,” NTUCB President Ella Waight told News 5.

That demand for change was a central message from Public Service Union President Dean Flowers, who said the rally was about demanding accountability. “It is ensuring that we hold the government accountable, ensuring that the monies that are being collected by way of our taxes and the leakages that are occurring cease so that there can be fairer wages, better living standards, and better quality public service.”

Flowers added that the prolonged negotiations with the government showed the unions the value of “strategic organisation.” An important element is that he said he will be “sharing with other affiliates in terms of how to organise because you organise to win; you don’t organise to lose.”

NTUCB President Ella Waight echoed that notion, stating that the rally and recent negotiations are part of a larger effort to awaken public awareness. “Not a movement to agitate, not a movement to demonstrate, but a movement to make our citizens conscious of what the NTUCB stands for and for what we are out here for, to ensure we have good governance and we have a country that is prosperous in the future.”

Darrell Bradley Calls for ‘Real’ UDP Unity Amid Ongoing Infighting

Former Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is weighing in on the ongoing internal rifts within the United Democratic Party (UDP). During his appearance on OYE today, Bradley warned that the party’s disunity is hurting Belize’s democracy and robbing the public of a real alternative to the current government.

“I’m hopeful that the United Democratic Party could get it together and the party could emerge unified on the one leader. And I’m also disheartened because within the democratic space you need an opposition,” Bradley said.

He added that Belize’s two-party system is vital for healthy democracy and accountability, but he believes the UDP is failing to deliver that right now. “You need two vibrant, well organized, robust parties that offer people a division. And it was obvious in the last election that we didn’t really have that choice. And when you don’t have that choice, you don’t really have a spirited public debate about options and where we want to move the country forward,” he explained.

He also pointed out that the lack of a strong formal opposition in the National Assembly cripples the checks and balances of governance. “You need a formal opposition in the centers of government so in the National Assembly, in the house meetings and the Senate, that can get access to information that is there when legislation is being passed, and that can put that perspective to represent a different voice. And without that, our democracy is really crippled,” Bradley said.

Bradley made it clear that the UDP’s current infighting distracts from its real mission: to present Belizeans with a meaningful alternative. “All of this is noise. No one cares about that. Get it together and lead a vision for the country that offers people a viable option to move the country forward.”

On Saturday, the UDP held its National Party Council meeting in Belize City. The gathering aimed to reinstate expelled or suspended members and address internal issues, but tensions flared when Patrick Faber, former party leader and current senator, entered uninvited.

Chairman Mike Peyrefitte accused Faber of disrupting the session, forcing the group to continue voting online via WhatsApp. The main resolution seeks to reinstate all affected members except Faber, whom Peyrefitte called “disrespectful.” Faber argued he did not need an invitation and claimed his expulsion was ruled illegal.

Belizean Involved in Hit and Run in Melchor Dies

Adrian Venicio Cruz, a resident of Benque Viejo del Carmen, has reportedly succumbed to injuries after being knocked by a vehicle in Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala, over the weekend.

He had been hospitalised following the accident. According to reports, Cruz sustained head and body injuries.

Following the accident, one family member explained that Cruz had travelled to Melchor to purchase items for his farm.

The driver of the vehicle remains unknown.

The family is making preparations to bring his body to Belize.

Belize Volleyball Team Stuck in Guatemala Protest

The Belizean men’s national volleyball team is ‘stuck’ in Guatemala after encountering a road blockade during their return trip from El Salvador. The team had just competed in the Centroamericano de Voleibol Mayor Masculino Final Four in San Salvador and set out for Belize shortly after midnight.

Team member Bryton Codd told News 5, “So we left San Salvador, El Salvador this morning at about midnight. We’ve been traveling for about seven hours already. We were stuck in some part of Guatemala right before the cut-off to go towards Belize. But we cannot pass.”

According to Codd, the team was caught in what appears to be a teachers’ protest that has completely blocked the road. “We don’t know how long this protest is gonna last, but it is a protest. The road is blocked. We can’t move. We’re stuck, we’re exhausted, we’re tired. We don’t know when this is gonna end,” he said.

Reports from locals suggested the demonstration could end by mid-afternoon, but the team remains uncertain. “We’re just hoping that it remains peaceful and it doesn’t erupt into any type of civil unrest,” Codd added.

The team says they are safe and remain hopeful they will be able to continue their journey soon. “It seems like it’s a peaceful protest, but the roads are completely blocked. Our bus is parked all the way down there and we’re just stuck,” Codd said.