BTL’s Protest: “A Decent Flex”

Area Representative for Caribbean Shores Kareem Musa has described Tuesday’s protest outside the Belize Telemedia Limited headquarters as a sign of a “healthy democracy”, despite the disorder that unfolded on the compound.

Musa framed the dissent and public pressure from the Opposition and unions as a “decent flex,” calling it a manifestation of democracy within a “not completely peaceful” protest.

Directed more at the opposition and its members at the protest, Musa said it was “a decent showing on the part of the opposition. I don’t know that it is going to result in phase one, two, three, four, like what they are saying. But like I said earlier that is important for a healthy democracy that we have a strong, vibrant opposition.

BTL has since condemned what it called “illegal trespassing” after protesters forced their way into the compound, which led police to deploy pepper spray.

Despite the growing tension behind the BTL-Speednet/SMART acquisition, Musa says that decision rests with the BTL board. “It is not going to be a decision that will be made up to the politicians but rather by the board. And so, we have to voice our concerns moving forward with a deal like this given all of the pushback that we have been seeing,” Musa said.

Musa added that Cabinet would make its position public only after consultations conclude.