UDP Dismisses ‘Yellowman’, Offers to Pay him $7,500

After serving the United Democratic Party (UDP), Brian ‘Yellowman’ Audinette has been fired. Lord, who was on the UDP’s Belize City slate, is known as a street captain for the UDP’s Mesopotamia area. It is unclear why Audinette was fired from the party. 

Brian Lord’s Facebook post on March 9th 2024

What is clear is that he is upset. Audinette has taken to Facebook media to post several messages. One read, “The war is on I tha noh p&^k”. Another said, “A gwen tha church tomorrow and ask god for forgiveness cause after this it’s going to be an eye for an eye.” Audinette‘s began sharing his thoughts about the UDP’s defeat on March 9th when he posted “Work one month before wah election in these constituency will never bring victory new faces needed.”

On March 15th, former UDP ministers John Saldivar and Michael Finnegan appeared in a photograph with Audinette. The photograph was posted by Saldivar on his Facebook page. 

Former UDP Ministers John Saldivar and Michael Finnegan along with Yellowman/Facebook-John Saldivar

Fast-forward to March 18th, and Audinette is fired from the UDP. A day later, he makes an official complaint against UDP leader Moses Barrow. 

And on March 20th, a Deed of Settlement between Audinette and the UDP was leaked to News Five. The document says that the United Democratic Party has offered an ex-gratia payment for his years of service.

According to the document, Audinette was dismissed for good and sufficient cause. He was offered an “ex gratia payment of $7,500 to be paid $3,500 upon signing of this Deed of Settlement and the handing over of all Party assets including office keys etc; with the remaining payments in monthly installments of $500 every 21st of the month, it is hereby agreed that Brian Audinett will release the United Democratic Party from all liabilities and future claims related to his employment and all matters incidental to or connected therewith.” 

The document also says that “It is further agreed that Brian Audinett his agents, heirs, family, and friends will refrain in perpetuity from any negative, critical, disparaging, public or private statements or commentary about the United Democratic Party, its Party Leaders, Officials, Members, and affiliates.” 

It ALSO says that Audinette “will stay away from the UDP Headquarters, adjacent establishments; out of Mesopotamia Constituency political activities and will not work directly or indirectly with any pup, independent or internal opponent of the sitting Area Representative.” 

Excerpt of proposed Deed of Settlement

It ALSO says that Audinette “It further agreed that Brian Audinett will send a retraction letter upon execution of this agreement to the UDP Party Chairman withdrawing all complaints against the Party Leader.” 

If Audinette breaches this agreement, he, agents, heirs, family, and friends “must must immediately return all payments made subject to this agreement and forfeit any remaining ex gratia payment and be subject to damages caused by said breach.” 

BSI says COI is an assault on its business interests 

Belize Sugar Industries Limited fired off a press release saying that it denounces a commission of inquiry into its private affairs. BSI says that Prime Minister John Briceño announced the Commission of Inquiry (COI) “with a mandate to delve into the private affairs of BSI, with the sole purpose of providing ammunition for one cane farmer association, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), to continue its relentless effort to coerce BSI to pay more for cane without any economic or business justification.” 

BSI asserts that the three other cane farmers’ associations that represent “roughly half the cane do not support the COI.” 

According to BSI, “This decision is politically driven and totally erodes ASR’s investor confidence as the largest US investor in Belize and undermines representations made by the Government of Belize to ASR in 2012 that it would receive fair treatment.” 

BSI says that it will not be compelled to “produce proprietary and confidential commercial information, the rights over which are protected by law.” 

“BSI sees this Commission of Inquiry as a further assault on its business interests and outright bad faith by the government.”

Retired Public Officers Demonstrate in Belmopan

The Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers has mobilized its members for a second public protest in Belmopan today to express disappointment and dissatisfaction with the Government’s failure to honor the then Prime Minister’s pledge made in December 2022.  

According to ABRPO, it was promised that Public Service Workers’ Trust Fund would be dissolved so that beneficiaries can receive monies owed to them since 1997.

The PSWT’s audited financial statements reveal concerning mismanagement, including the write-off of over $101,000 in loans to unions, associations, and individuals purportedly affiliated with beneficiaries. Additionally, more than $500,000 has been allocated for legal services from the Trust fund.

The Association holds successive Attorney Generals responsible for disregarding legally sound recommendations. It says that this situation represents clear discrimination against the elderly, many of whom have passed without receiving compensation.

WEALTH UNTOLD in Final Stages of Post-Production

Eclectic Aspirations has announced the completion of the director’s cut for WEALTH UNTOLD. This will be the third iteration of this evolving film. This version will undergo screening with selected test audiences to gather feedback before finalizing the post-production process.

Oceana Belize VP Janelle Chanona being interviewed/San Pedro Sun

Formerly titled UNBELIZEABLUE, the documentary delves into groundbreaking marine conservation efforts in Belize, spearheaded predominantly by women from diverse backgrounds. Their collaborative mission to safeguard a unique and endangered ecosystem serves as a global model for coastal communities. Director/Producer Eladio Arvelo said that WEALTH UNTOLD draws inspiration from Belize’s national anthem and resonates with the participants’ shared vision. 

 

WWF Belize Country Rep., Nadia Bood/UNBELIZEABLU Facebook/Phil karp

WEALTH UNTOLD was recognized as one of the “Hot Films in the Making” by From the Heart Productions during the 2023 Roy W. Dean Summer Grant season. The film is slated for completion by June 2024, with plans for a world-premiere screening later in the year.

Vietnamese President Resigns Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong stepped down from his position, announced by the Communist Party on Wednesday, marking yet another departure of a senior official likely implicated in an extensive anti-corruption campaign. The party confirmed the acceptance of his resignation, citing his violations as tarnishing the reputation of the Communist Party.

Thuong’s resignation coincided with a special parliamentary session addressing personnel matters, following the recent arrest of the former head of Quang Ngai province for corruption.

Assuming office in March 2023 after his predecessor’s resignation due to corruption scandals, Thuong’s departure highlights the enduring impact of Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts under the leadership of Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

FILE: Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong addressed media. 2023/AP

Thuong, seen as a protégé of Trong, faced scrutiny for his alleged transgressions, which prompted his resignation, although specifics remained undisclosed. The timing, following the arrest of a former provincial head under his supervision, suggests implication in the anti-corruption campaign, overseen by the Central Inspection Commission.
The announcement of Thuong’s resignation triggered a buzz across Hanoi, emphasizing the significance of the event, echoing concerns about the broader implications of the anti-corruption drive on political stability and economic policies.

While the campaign has bolstered Trong’s authority, it has also fueled factional tensions within the party. Moreover, concerns persist about its impact on Vietnam’s business climate and foreign investment, even as the country navigates its strategic positioning amidst U.S.-China competition.

Commission of Inquiry into the Sugarcane Industry Set to Proceed

In a press release on Tuesday evening, the Briceño Administration said that the Commission of Inquiry into the sugarcane industry is set to proceed.” The statement came after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) called a press conference at its headquarters in Orange Walk Town regarding the promised Commission of Inquiry.

During the press conference, Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A., said “As you can see we have reached March and the signing of the document was in January. Thirty days was in February. So we have long past due that. Now that we have reached this stage and we have listened, because first we were waiting for the government or the prime minister to declare, because he said in his interview on Friday that he is the one in charge to declare the commission of inquiry.”

BSCFA Vice Chairman, Alfredo Ortega

He further stated that “We were waiting for that, but when we listened to what he said on Friday we can clearly say he lied to us, he lied to the cane farmers and that is why we are here. We want to clearly see how the prime minister behaves, lying to the cane farmers, lying to us, lying to the Belizean people in his statements, he said that we are not the only association.”

In its press release, the government said, “Today, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño approved the terms of reference as well as the appointment of the commissioners to the inquiry into the sugarcane industry of Belize.”

It said “The commission is expected to review the entire value chain of the sugarcane industry to establish the benchmark costs, determine efficiencies and recommend measures to increase efficiencies. Specifically, the commission is to determine the cost of sugarcane farming, harvesting and transporting, as well as sugar manufacturing, operating, transportation and logistics costs.”

Man Knocked Down and Killed in Guinea Grass 

Maximo Chan was knocked down and killed this morning in Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District. Witnesses say that Chan was about to board a bus when a vehicle stuck him down. He was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he died.

The latest incident has villagers demanding that speed bumps be placed on the Guinea Grass Road. One person wrote on Facebook, “The village council needs to do better, as bumps are urgently needed in the village. People drive within the village like it’s a free way.”

Another wrote, “How many more people have to die so they can put pedestrian ramps up? How many more children have to be run over by drivers who do not respect the speed limit in the village?”

BSCFA Holds Press Conference in O.W. 

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) is hosting a press conference at its headquarters in Orange Walk Town. The BSCFA says the purpose of the press conference is to respond to statements made by the Prime Minister in the media last Friday regarding a court ruling on the Sugar Industry (Licence to Import/Export Sugar) Regulations 2023.

On February 29, 2024, High Court Judge Rajiv Gooretilleke delivered a judgement on a claim filed by Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) and Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Associations (CSCPA) on May 23, 2023 against the Attorney General of Belize, the Minister of Agriculture, the Sugar Industry Control Board, and the Controller of Supplies.

Executive Members of the BSCFA

BSCFA says that the Prime Minister’s admission that he wasn’t surprised by the ruling and his assurance of necessary amendments is incredulous. ” His outright capitulation to BSI continues to leave the small cane farmers at the mercy of the financial power and influence of the multinationals, BSI and TLS.”

“Equally appalling are the statements of the Prime Minister regarding the Commission of Inquiry (COI). The Prime Minister states that he heads the COI, that he is the one who has responsibility for the COI, and that it is his responsibility to ensure that there are proper consultations by everyone.”

National Garifuna Council Belize City Branch Elects New Executive

National Garifuna Council Belize City Branch held its Annual General Meeting and Branch Elections on Saturday, March 16, 2024. The meeting focused on planning of branch activities for the year, strategies for increased engagement of Garinagu living in Belize District and the election of officers for the 2024 – 2026 term of office.

The newly elected executive members for the Belize City Branch are:

President – Raphael Martinez
First Vice President – Dorla Gutierrez
Second Vice President – Winder Ellington
Secretary – Melissa Zuniga
Assistant Secretary – Agnes Rose Morris
Treasurer – Naomi Guzman
Assistant Treasurer – Matthew Martinez
Councillors – Alvin Rhaburn, Denise Casimiro and Bridget Pearl
Miranda

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