2025 - Greater Belize Media

Education Minister Plea with Teachers to Return to Class

As the teachers’ sickout continues to disrupt classrooms across the country, the Minister of Education is urging calm—and calling for action. Oscar Requena says he’s deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of students left without supervision. Today, he made a heartfelt plea for teachers to return to the classroom, emphasizing the importance of keeping children safe and engaged in learning. As for what happens next, Requena says the ball is now in the government’s court, with the negotiation team set to decide the way forward.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Education

“Absolutely very much concerning because as you know our parents send their children to school. There are issues of safety, issues of students losing contact time and not being engaged in learning. That is a concern for us and parents. I want to make a special plea to our teachers. I believe in good faith, we are still in negotiations, I believe that respectfully our teachers should reconsider and go back to the classroom. We want to ensure that first and foremost our children are safe and meaningful engage in learning.”

Paul Lopez

“How do you plan to tackle this situation if it escalates to further sickout and with the twenty-days notice of strike action already being issued?”

Oscar Requena

“Well it is a matter for the joint negotiating team and for us to be guided by Cabinet to consider a way forward. What we have to do as the ministry of education, we will continue to be proactive, monitor the situation, and we are also appealing with management to be able to support this process, because management also have a responsibility to ensure our children are safe and are in schools. You may have heard the presentation made by Mr. Usher where he said that if you really calculate, even though it is a phased in approach in terms of the benefits, it really works out to about fourteen percent. It is something the teachers should consider.”

PM Wants to Transform Belizean Beach into Public Park

The battle over Belizean beachfront is heating up and the Briceño administration says it’s drawing a line in the sand. Over the past three days, government parliamentarians have taken aim at the Opposition, accusing them of shady land dealings tied to former U.D.P. minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez. At the center of the controversy: a prime piece of coastal property and a neighboring parcel once earmarked for a housing NGO, now reportedly on the market for a staggering eleven million dollars. Tonight, we take a closer look at the political storm brewing over Belize’s shoreline.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is unfortunate. For some time when we were in opposition we were asking about this housing for the poor and nobody could have answered and tell us what they are doing, even the then prime minister was kinda skeptical when we was asked about it and could not give a straight answer. But the outrage it has caused with the Belizean people, especially in Belize City, especially people from outside that use that beach, I think it will be our responsibility to make, is it Mr. Pollard or Mr. Martinez, and make, ask them, I think it is in the interest of the public for them to bring it back so then we can declare it as a public park, pass it on to the city council to manage so our citizens in Belize City can enjoy.”

Reporter

“But you know they won’t do that. They are going to expect compensation at market level and the leader of the opposition said yesterday, if the government sees it fit you have funds to do that reclamation.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I am very disappointed in her because she stands up there and pontificates. She is not prepared, not strong enough, I wanted to use man enough but I don’t want it to sound sexist. But when you are not prepared to stand up for what is right, then you need to question the leadership of the leader of the opposition, because she knows what Boots Martinez has allegedly done, or MR. Pollard, what they have done is wrong.”

UB Union Slams PUP Over Broken Funding Promises

The University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU) is the latest union to come out swinging against the Government of Belize.

The union is voicing its disappointment with the People’s United Party (PUP), accusing the government of failing to deliver on promises made to the national university.

The UBFSU’s statement pointed to the PUP’s previous condemnation of the United Democratic Party (UDP) for slashing the university’s subvention by 24.2%, reducing it from $11 million to $8.34 million. At the time, the PUP had criticized the move as “misguided and counterproductive,” especially given the university’s critical role in Belize’s educational and national development.

The PUP had also pointed out that UB’s funding had only increased by $1 million over a decade, despite the country receiving significant financial inflows, including $12 billion in national funds, $450 million from Petrocaribe, and $500 million in oil revenues. The party had pledged to reverse the funding cuts and gradually increase the university’s subvention over five years, promising improved resources, accountability, and educational quality.

However, the UBFSU now says those promises remain unfulfilled. The union expressed “deep frustration” over the continued financial challenges facing the university and the lack of increased funding. It is calling on the PUP to honor its commitments and take immediate action to restore and enhance UB’s financial support.

Kareem Musa “UDP Is Corrupt to the Core”

The Belizean Beach controversy continues to ripple through the political landscape and now, Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa is adding his voice to the debate. Responding to criticism from Opposition member Godwin Haylock over the government’s starter home initiative, Musa flipped the script, calling on the Opposition to join the push to return Belizean Beach to the people. With tensions rising and more voices entering the fray, the pressure is building for answers and action.

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores

“I heard the member just now talk about housing. My brother you have some real nerve to even bring up that topic, because not one of your match box houses were built in Caribbean Shores. I can report that we are going to have in a few days, seventeen concrete homes in Caribbean Shores and Blackberry Estate, not a single matchbox house, not that we wanted any of your matchbox houses. And it is pretty barefaced. We are bringing it up because you all invented the term and you have to take responsibility for it, for something called Housing for the Poor but all that this land scam has proven is that the UDP is corrupt to the core, hustling for Boots, barefaced hustling and I heard the member for Fort George say we are going to take back Belizean Beach and I for one support that call. Because it was not the intention then that Housing for the Poor was to be a big land deal sold for eleven million dollars, is that what your intention was? Or will you come here and join the call that we take back Belizean Beach from Boots Martinez? At the price he paid exactly, we nuh the give him no eleven million dollars.”

Espat Tells Chang to Encourage Chinese Stores to Lower Costs

Things got heated in the House today as Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat took aim at Opposition member Lee Mark Chang, this time, over the rising cost of groceries. Espat suggested that Chang, as the former President of the Belize Chinese Association, could help ease the burden on Belizeans by encouraging his colleagues in the business community to lower their profit margins. But Chang wasn’t about to let that slide. He fired back, defending his position and pushing back against what he called an unfair accusation. News Five has the fiery exchange.

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South

“Are you a member of the Chinese Business Association? I thought you were the president at one time? You are not a member? But you speak friendly with them sometimes? You speak friendly with them? So I was right, you were the president and probably still a member. What I am saying is if you want to help us, cause you are part of government too, never forget that, so if you want to help the government to reduce the cost of living then I think the honorable members of the Chinese Association need to sit with us because we as government can do our part, we can put in subsidies, but we need the Chinese Association who monopolize the grocery and restaurant industry to help us to reduce the cost by reducing their profits. I would also like to express that maybe the Indian community.”

Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“On a point of order, I remember clearly about two or three years ago there were some meetings with the Chinese Association which I was invited to, they were inquiring and investigation into how the price gouging came about.”

UDP Says Proposed Transport Monopoly is “Novelo’s 2.0”

Is history repeating itself in Belize’s public transportation sector? Minister of Transport, Doctor Louis Zabaneh, says he’s on a mission to modernize the industry, but not everyone’s on board. Queen Square Area Representative Godwin Haylock is raising red flags, comparing the proposal to the failed Novelo’s Bus monopoly of the past. Haylock argues that the last time a government promised a streamlined, monopolized system, it collapsed in short order. So, is this a bold new vision or déjà vu on wheels?

Godwin Haylock, Area Representative, Queen Square

“But all the fairytale dreams and benefits of a better transportation industry under a monopoly went down the drain in less than three years. By 2006 it was over. And just like humpty dumpty had a great fall, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put the bus industry back together again. Now the ministry of transport is back to the fairytale solution again. They want to monopolize the public bus routes, this time through private public partnership. But the bus operators I talk to out there, you know what they are feeling, they have this gut feeling that this proposal is like Novelos 2.0. only this time the government wants to be the partner in control of the monopoly. I will repeat, everyone remembers that the PUP government were the facilitators of the worst buy out and the worst bus monopoly in Belize’s history. Today it feels like dejavu, a feeling like we have all experience this bus monopoly before. This time around instead of DFC lending, it could be our social security taking on this huge risk.”

The Magic in Greater Belize Media’s Production Team

For decades, Greater Belize Media has been at the heart of it all, bringing you the news, waking you up with morning shows, and producing everything from eye-catching commercials to powerful documentaries. But what you don’t always see is the hardworking team behind the scenes, turning big ideas into reality, one project at a time. Tonight, we’re pulling back the curtain to show you how it all comes together, and why the GBM crew is truly one of a kind. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Since way back in 1991, Great Belize Television has been bringing Belizeans top-notch news and entertainment. But times have changed and so have we. This week, the company officially rebranded as Greater Belize Media. Why? Because we’re more than just TV now. Whether you’re watching on a screen, streaming on your phone, or catching up online, we’re committed to delivering quality content to everyone, no TV required.

Rick Romero, Production Director

“Without our production department, there’s no television. Here at Greater Police Media. So whenever you turn your tv, your tablet, your phone, and Greater Police Media, channel five USB, channel five, you see the news, open your eyes, anything. We are the ones in the background behind the scenes.”

Every production you see is powered by a talented crew: camera operators, editors, graphic designers, and lighting pros, all working together to make every shot look just right. And leading the charge is longtime manager Rick Romero, the steady hand steering the ship behind the scenes.

Rick Romero

“ I oversee the production quality across the board. So whether it be for the news live shows, Open Your Eyes. Any post-production work that we do commercials as well. Documentaries. I oversee the production of everything.”

While Rick ensures that the operation is executed smoothly, he is not alone on the assignment. TV Productions & Graphics Coordinator, Sheena Smith, says that there is a talented team at work as well.

Sheena Smith, TV Productions & Graphics Coordinator

“I try to make sure that the workload is split between us and that we produce, you know, quality work. Because when you’re looking at a show, when you’re looking at the news, our graphics is one of the first things that you see and the quality of the graphics that you get tells for the quality of the work that we put out.”

GBM has come a long way over the years, and one of the biggest upgrades? Swapping out those old analog cameras for crisp, high-definition ones. The result? Sharper, cleaner visuals that take the viewing experience to a whole new level.

Rick Romero

“So that’s what sets us apart from other media houses We pay keen attention to how we shoot stuff in terms of our composition, in terms of our editing. We don’t do sloppy,”

Much like the news department, no day is the same for the production team as every day comes with a different set of demands.

Sheena Smith

“ There’s not a typical day for us. Every day is something different, especially if there’s something breaking going on. We have to drop whatever we’re doing and ensure that we have whatever’s needed on screen. On any other day, we’d be working on whatever’s happening for that day. So if Open Your Eyes needs something like a bumper or a promo, we’re working on that. The news especially, they have a lot going on right now.”

It is that passion and willingness to get creative that keeps the GBM team at the top of their game.

Sheena Smith

“I think it’s the personnel itself. I think we have very passionate people working behind the scenes and that passion shows in the equality of the work that we put out. We try to make sure that we become, or we stay very creative.”

The media never stops changing—and neither does the GBM team. Over the years, they’ve worked hard to stay ahead of the curve, adapting to new trends and tech while making sure their content doesn’t just meet expectations, it blows them out of the water. Britney Gordon for News Five.

BTB Contract Clashes End in Courtroom Defeats

It’s a legal showdown that’s captured the attention of both the public and the public service sector, two high-profile cases, one powerful message: contracts matter. At the center of it all is the Belize Tourism Board, now facing back-to-back courtroom defeats after terminating two of its top executives, Misty Michael and Karen Bevans, before their contracts were up. Both women took their cases to court, and both walked away with major wins. Tonight, we take a closer look at what the courts had to say, why the B.T.B.’s arguments didn’t hold up, and what these rulings mean for accountability, contract enforcement, and the future of public sector employment in Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

It’s a case that’s been closely watched in legal and public service circles. At the heart of it: a dispute between the Belize Tourism Board and its former Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, Misty Michael. Michael was hired permanently in 2019 and later signed a three-year employment contract in April 2020. But just over a year into that contract, she was abruptly terminated. The BTB claimed the dismissal was due to financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, invoking a clause in her contract that allowed for termination in the event of a “material change in circumstances.” But Michael didn’t agree. She argued that her termination was without cause and that she was entitled to the full benefits outlined in her contract—benefits that included all remaining salary and perks for the rest of her term.

The trial court sided with Michael, awarding her BZ$217,000 in damages. The BTB appealed, raising nine separate grounds, including claims that the contract was invalid, improperly approved, and excessively generous. But in a detailed and strongly worded judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed the BTB’s arguments. The court found that while there were procedural missteps—such as the Minister approving the contract without full Board involvement—these did not cancel the agreement. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the BTB, who signed the contract, were found to have “ostensible authority,” meaning they appeared to have the power to act on behalf of the Board, and Michael had every reason to rely on that.

The court also rejected BTB’s claim that the contract’s termination clause was an unenforceable penalty. Instead, it ruled that the clause was a legitimate part of a negotiated agreement and not out of line with similar contracts for other senior staff. This ruling reinforces the principle that public bodies must follow their own rules, but it also protects individuals who enter contracts in good faith. It’s a win for accountability and for fair treatment in employment. It’s a case that was similar to former Director of Tourism Karen Bevans who was also dismissed in 2021.

Karen Bevans, who served as Director of Tourism from 2014 until her dismissal in 2021, took the Belize Tourism Board—or BTB—to court, claiming she was wrongfully terminated and owed the full value of her employment contract. At the heart of the case was a five-year employment agreement Bevans signed in April 2019. But when a new administration came into power in 2020, Bevans was let go in March 2021—just two years into her contract.

The BTB argued that the contract was invalid. They said it hadn’t been properly approved by the full Board or the Minister of Tourism, and that the termination clause—Clause 7.1.1—was overly generous and legally unenforceable. But Justice Geneviève Chabot disagreed.

The court found that the contract was properly approved, even if the Minister’s approval was given verbally. The judge ruled that the law does not require written approval, and that the BTB’s leadership—including its Chairman and Vice Chair—had the authority to sign the contract. “This case sets a strong precedent. It confirms that verbal ministerial approval can be valid, and that public bodies must honor their contracts—especially when they’ve benefited from the employee’s work.”

The court also rejected the BTB’s claim that the termination clause was a “penalty.” Instead, it ruled that the clause was standard for senior BTB staff and provided fair protection for Bevans, who had been praised for her performance. Bevans had already received one year’s salary as a so-called “ex gratia” payment. But the court ruled she was entitled to the full amount remaining on her contract—nearly BZ$770,000—minus that earlier payment. The BTB also tried to shift blame to three individuals: former Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia, and former BTB Chairman Einer Gomez and Vice Chair Glenford Eiley. But the court dismissed those claims too, ruling that all three acted in good faith and within their legal authority. In the end, the Court upheld the original award, including interest and legal costs, and urged the BTB to consider clearer regulations and internal procedures for future appointments. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Former BAA General Manager Clears Air on Contracts

Thea Garcia-Ramirez, the former General Manager of the Belize Airports Authority, is breaking her silence after two airport security contracts signed during her time at the helm sparked public concern. Critics are questioning whether the companies involved are even capable of handling the job. But Garcia-Ramirez says she had nothing to do with the final decision. She points out that general managers don’t get a vote on the board and adds that she was actually on sick leave when the contracts were signed. In short, she’s saying: don’t pin this one on me.

Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Former General Manager, BAA

“I think there was a board decision to retender. There was some re-tendering. What I think happened was Christmas I remember getting an email. I was on sick leave. It was the twenty-third. I was of the opinion that it was a bit hasty, but I was not there when the contracts were signed. I was not in office.”

Paul Lopez

“Nor when the decision to award it was taken.”

Thea Garcia-Ramirez

“No I was not. Then when I came back to, I typically do not work between Christmas and New Year. So I would have left between the twenty-third in any case. I was sick. So when it came to me I advised that maybe it would be better for legal counsel to look over the contract, which would be basic and standard procedure. I am unaware if that was done, but when I came back those contracts were signed and on my table. I cannot speak to the process again. Just that they were and I think the person best to answer those questions is the former Chair Ricardo Martin.”

Paul Lopez

“Were you not in a position to raise all hell, amplify your voice so that certain actions recommended by you would have been taken ahead of the signing of the agreements?”

Thea Garcia-Ramirez

“At the time they ended up on my desk the contract had been signed so I don’t know what could have done at that point. But I did document my thoughts and preference for the handling of the contracts.”

She says she was not in a position to do much more because she do not have any voting privileges on the board as a general manager.

BAA Renegotiation Airport Security Contracts

Minister Thea Garcia-Ramirez says the new board at the Belize Airports Authority is gearing up to revisit and renegotiate the controversial airport security contracts. She hopes the fresh talks will help clear up recent concerns and fix any problems tied to the original deals.

Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Former General Manager, BAA

“Whatever those are I am sure that both the contracting parties and the BAA will ensure that whatever has been signed or whatever is the issues, I am not sure if there are any issues, it will be rectified. But at the same time we want capable companies, not what appears to be fly by night companies that seems to just have set up. There is something to say about doing things right from the very begging and not granting these contracts for something that is very sensitive like security at airports. I will tell you that Belize was a very low security risk. So the types of security that was contemplated prior to the hijacking was different than what may now be contemplated because the risks have increased. So perhaps those are the renegotiations that are happening and that is the reconfiguration that is happening.”