Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Is Belize Set to See Elon Musk’s Starlink?

Belizeans and companies are divided over the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) consideration of an internet license for Elon Musk’s Starlink. While the PUC has released a detailed Public Comment Compilation revealing over ten letters of objection, many individuals and businesses also support the initiative.

Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is among the key objectors, stating, “The market is already highly competitive with 16 operators who have to share a mere population of 400 thousand.” They also expressed concerns about data safety, noting that “local data could easily be routed and stored outside the country’s boundaries, comprising data sovereignty.” Furthermore, BTL argued that Starlink would likely “require little to no manpower,” which could lead to job losses.

Other groups, including the Belize Communications Workers Union and the Belize Business Bureau, have also voiced objections. The CEO of the Social Security Board, which holds shares in BTL, has expressed opposition as well. The Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers (ABRPO) echoed these concerns, urging the rejection of Starlink’s application.

In an email thread, Minister Michel Chebat stated, “should approval be considered, Starlink’s operations in Belize be facilitated through a local agent, ensuring alignment with local industry dynamics and subject to our national tax regime.” He warned that failing to do so could create an “unfair market advantage” for Starlink over existing providers.

Support for Starlink includes testimonials from residents like Daniel Henrich, who wrote, “As a resident of a very rural part of Belize, I would very much appreciate a positive decision on granting Starlink Belize, LLC the license.” Among the other supporters are businesses like KwiqPass and Intertek, which described ongoing struggles to access reliable internet services as business grows.

The PUC has put together a detailed 200-page document containing all the feedback received and will take this information into account to determine its decision.

Panton Says They had “Full Authority to Access the Building”

After the October 20 convention called by the Alliance for Democracy, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has faced tensions regarding its leadership. The newly elected interim Party Leader at that convention, Tracy Taegar-Panton, addressed these issues on the Channel 5’s Open Your Eyes.

Panton stressed the need for her supporters to move forward, stating, “We have spoken, and we need you to be able to operate the business of the United Democratic Party from the headquarters.” She clarified that while she has previously stated that the “institution is not the building. The institution is the people,” the party’s headquarters “is iconic. It is symbolic to the United Democratic Party.”

On Monday, Panton and her leadership team took over the party headquarters with “full authority to access the building” from trustee Phillipa Bailey. This move faced backlash from opposition leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow, who called the takeover “essentially criminal.” In response, Panton asserted, “There was no need for a court order.”

Despite the intense developments over this week, Panton urged Barrow to “respect” the leadership transition. “I really call on my colleague, the Honourable Moses “Shyne” Barrow, to respect the decision of the people of the United Democratic Party, the highest decision makers of the Party, determined on the 20th that there must be a leadership reset and even called on the former party leader and all the colleagues in the National Assembly to do what is right and ensure that the leader of the party is the leader of the opposition in the House,” Panton said.

Tracy Panton’s Faction Secures Full Access to UDP Headquarters

Some minutes ago, a statement issued by Tracy Panton under the UDP banner said that “The New Leadership Team of the United Democratic Party (UDP) is happy to announce that, having acted on the authority of the Trustee, we are now exercising the full management and control of the entire premises of the UDP Headquarters situated at Youth For The Future Drive. We are also happy to announce that we are also exercising full management and control of our Party organs, the Guardian Newspaper and Wave Radio.”

Panton, recently appointed interim leader during a convention organised by the Alliance for Democracy, urged all Standard Bearers and their executives to unite and collaborate under the new leadership. Following yesterday’s initial efforts, Panton and her supporters gained partial access to the UDP headquarters, including parts of the Guardian Newspaper and Wave Radio located on the upper floor’s right side. Today, they secured access to the remaining unoccupied areas of the building, which comprises of the conference room and additional offices utilised by the Party Leader.

However, the faction led by Moses “Shyne” Barrow issued a statement addressing the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, stating that UDP Deputy Chairman Alberto August has filed a police report concerning the ‘breaking and entering’ of the UDP headquarters.

Seven Days to US Presidential Elections

Scheduled to take place on November 5, the US election is fast approaching with only seven days left to go. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are locked in a close battle in key states. Recent polling indicates that Harris has gained a slight edge over Trump nationally, with the latest TIPP poll showing her leading 48% to 47%. According to FiveThirtyEight, Harris leads nationally by 1.5 percentage points.

In Wisconsin, a poll conducted in Door County reveals that Harris leads Trump 50% to 47%, though this is within the margin of error of 5.7 percentage points. Notably, Harris enjoys an advantage among women, leading 55% to 41%, while Trump has an 18-point lead among men, showcasing the pronounced gender gap in support.

In Minnesota, Harris has a narrow lead of 48% to 45%, with only 2% of voters remaining undecided. The poll underscores that jobs and the economy are the primary concerns for voters. Similarly, a new survey in Michigan shows Harris ahead of Trump by three points, 47% to 44%, with 41.4% of respondents citing jobs and the economy as top issues.

Both Harris and Trump are rampin up their campaign efforts. The election process has been marred by incidents of vandalism, with incendiary devices destroying ballots at two drop boxes in Oregon and Washington. Officials have described this as a “direct attack on democracy.”

Vehicle Catches Fire Outside NEMO in Belmopan

This morning, an SUV caught fire outside the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) building in Belmopan City. The vehicle appeared to be a grey Toyota RAV4. Reports are that the SUV belongs to a consultant working with NEMO.

Video footage of the incident shows the Belmopan Fire Department responding quickly to control the fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Michael Peyrefitte says Philipa Bailey is not a UDP Trustee

A week after Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton was elected as the new interim leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) at a convention called by the Alliance for Democracy, she and many of her supporters arrived at the UDP headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive, demanding access to the building. Panton said she was armed with a legal right to claim the office after she had received a letter from Phillipa Bailey, the trustee for the headquarters building.

However, following the series of tense events at the headquarters, a statement was addressed to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. In it, Secretary General Shari Medina on behalf of Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte stated that Phillipa Bailey “is NOT, and has never been, a Trustee of the United Democratic Party.” According to Peyrefitte, the government transferred the land for the headquarters to the UDP on June 16, 2010. At that time, according to Peyrefitte, Bailey was the Secretary General and the appropriate signatory, but she resigned in February 2013 and was asked to return all party assets.

The faction led by Moses “Shyne” Barrow stressed that they “are the sole owners of the property” and that Bailey cannot transfer rights she no longer holds. Peyrefitte noted that according to the UDP Constitution, anyone managing assets must do so at the direction of the Central Executive Committee, which has not authorised any changes regarding these assets.

UDP Deputy Chairman Alberto August has filed a police report concerning the ‘breaking and entering’ of the UDP headquarters.
Panton told the media yesterday that Medina is no longer the Secretary General and announced that Lyn Ross had been appointed as the new Secretary General after an “urgent meeting” with her central executive committee on Saturday.

NEMO Announces ‘Short-Term Closure of J&W Road’

Heavy rains over the weekend have caused significant disruptions in Belize, affecting various regions. On Sunday, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) reported that several roads in the rural Orange Walk District were impassable due to ongoing flooding, including the J&W road in Belmopan.

Today, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing and NEMO announced a short-term closure of the J&W Road due to rising waters. The affected section runs between Doyle’s Delight Street and the Egoli Estate entrance. The road is expected to remain closed for the rest of today, October 28, and most of Tuesday, October 29. The closure may extend if conditions do not improve.

The ministry advised all motorists to take the Cemetery Road route to John Saldivar Boulevard during this time.

A severe flood warning is in effect for the Río Hondo at Blue Creek North and Freetown Sibun on the Sibun River. Floodwaters are expected to rise, and an Excessive Rainfall Watch has been issued for the next 12-24 hours nationwide. Urban flooding is anticipated in vulnerable areas.

‘I Want Her to Heal, Not Just Her Scars and Wounds’

Wilmer Cruz is urgently calling for support for his sister, a 23-year-old woman who endured eight days of captivity and abuse by her husband and his parents. Investigators say she was assaulted, deprived of food, and left in unsanitary conditions without access to basic necessities.

Cruz told News 5 this morning, “I would want someone to help her in the sense of psychologically or mentally, like, help her recover back her mind. Not just her scars and wounds, but someone who would be there for her because, you know, she’s pregnant.”

Cruz pleaded for any assistance and a safe environment for her and her children. “We would like somebody or an organisation who we can team up with so that she can recover good,” he added.

On Friday last week, the accused family members, including 45-year-old Luis Alfredo Tiul Sr., a Guatemalan pastor, and 59-year-old Matilda Games, were both charged with Administering Noxious Matter.

Luis Alfredo Tiul Jr., 24, faced charges of Aggravated Assault and Wounding. His father, Tiul Sr., was also charged with Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, Wounding, and Sexual Assault. Elizabeth Tiul, 43, a Mexican housewife, was charged with Kidnapping, Wounding, and Aggravated Assault.

Electric Taxis to Arrive in November?

Belize City has launched the 501 Transit app, a new tool designed to improve the experience of using its recently introduced electric bus service. The app allows residents to track buses in real time, making city transit more convenient.

Mayor Bernard Wagner described the app as a key “milestone.” He said, “We started with the buses some while back… and the app… is a key milestone because it really speaks to connectivity with the residents with the commuters.” The initiative, funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program, has received positive feedback, said the mayor, particularly from the elderly and students. Wagner stated, “The kids of today will no longer be subjected to substandard transportation.”

Currently, the app tracks only electric buses, but plans are in place to expand it to include all public transport in Belize. Additionally, Wagner announced that electric taxis are set to launch in November, pending the hiring of qualified drivers.

Special Envoy Rossana Briceño on Violence Against Women

This morning, Rossana Briceño, the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, spoke on gender-based violence. Briceño said that while policies exist, “the implementation of the policies really needs to take centre stage now.” Briceño stressed the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of these policies, saying, “If they’re not working, we need to do better.”

She concluded with a call to action, noting that “most of the time, it’s women that are the victims.”

The question was asked in light of the recent case involving a family accused of holding a 23-year-old woman hostage for 8 days. The 23-year-old was reportedly assaulted and sexually harassed by her father-in-law, deprived of food, and left in her own excrement with no access to a shower.