hipolito - Greater Belize Media

Drip by Drip: Years of Neglect Surface at Racoon Street Station

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a formal response following viral videos of the deteriorating conditions at the Racoon Street Police Station during recent rainfall.

The Ministry said, “the well-being of our officers and the integrity of our law enforcement infrastructure remain matters of the highest priority.”

The Ministry confirmed that it is working to secure temporary accommodations for critical units currently operating out of the Racoon Street station to ensure officers have safe and functional workspaces.

It added that over the past year,it has undertaken renovation and rehabilitation efforts at more than a dozen police stations and substations across Belize.

The Ministry said it is collaborating with international partners to design and construct modern, climate-resilient police buildings.

FinSec Warns: “Hopefully we don’t have to raise taxes, but you never know.”

When News 5 asked Financial Secretary Joseph Waight if the government can afford the salary increase that teachers are demanding, he said, “We can barely afford what we are doing right now.”

According to Waight, the government is already struggling to manage its current expenditure levels. “And it continues. Every point increase is seven million dollars for one percentage point. Do the math,” he said.

Waight noted that his office constantly analyzes the figures. “We do it every day to determine how much it would cost. But the bigger question is how will you pay for it?” he asked.

He added, “But we have to look at it, see where things can come. Hopefully we don’t have to raise taxes, but you never know.”

The government has previously said it is open to gradual reinstatement but has warned that a full, immediate reversal could place the national budget under unsustainable pressure.

Joint Unions Dispute Government’s Claims on Salary Negotiations

The Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT) has pushed back against recent public statements by government officials, describing them as misleading and inaccurate.

In a press release issued a few minutes ago, JUNT expressed “tremendous concern” over remarks made by two members of the Government Negotiating Team, Ministers Francis Fonseca and Henry Charles Usher, regarding the status of ongoing salary adjustment negotiations.

According to the unions, after receiving the Government’s official offer on May 21, they conducted nationwide consultations with their membership. Following those discussions, JUNT formally rejected Points #4 and #5 of the government’s proposal—specifically those related to the preferred method for salary adjustment and the restoration of increments. The rejection was submitted in writing on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Despite claims made in the media by Ministers Fonseca and Usher, the unions state that “up to today’s date, Thursday, June 5th, 2025, there has been no response or counter offer received by any member of our joint union team.”

JUNT said that they are still awaiting a formal reply from the Government on what they describe as “this most pressing matter” for their members.

Teachers Summoned to Court Following Blockade

Several teachers who participated in a protest that blocked roads in Dangriga on June 4, 2025, are expecting to be summoned to appear in court and face charges related to an alleged unlawful assembly.

One of those teachers is Eli Villalta, who said on Facebook, “My summons have arrived, two charges which I have to show up to court for next week.”

Villalta is one of eleven teachers whose names appear on court summonses. The list includes Rosalyn Cornelius, Denise Henry, Derrick Martinez, Ifasina Efunyemi, Loretta Montero, Phidalia Castillo, Victor Williams, Clifton Lorenzo, Francis Williams, and Derrick Walton.

They are expected to appear before the Dangriga Court of Summary Jurisdiction on Wednesday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m. The documents state that the group “unlawfully assembled with the purpose of committing a riot,” an offense under Section 229 of the Criminal Code, Chapter 101 of the Laws of Belize.

Villalta has also been separately summoned for “causing obstruction to a police officer whilst in the execution of his duties,” under Section 38(1)(a) of Chapter 138 of Belize’s criminal laws.

The protest formed part of an ongoing salary dispute between the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and the government. Teachers used their vehicles to block critical road junctions in Dangriga and Bella Vista, severely disrupting traffic flow and restricting movement for residents and emergency services.

Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith noted that while “teachers have the right to express their grievances,” the police are obligated to act when a protest infringes on the rights of others. Smith said authorities gave protestors up to two hours to clear the roadways before taking what she described as “measured action.”

The summonses warn that failure to appear in court may result in ex-parte proceedings or arrest warrants being issued.

Opposition Demands Transparency on BTL Merger Discussions

Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar Panton has issued a strong statement in response to Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) recent public disclosure regarding potential consolidation within the telecommunications sector, warning against secrecy and urging full transparency.

Panton said that any move toward consolidation must be subject to rigorous public scrutiny, transparent processes, and proper regulatory oversight.

“Access to affordable, high-quality internet and communication services is no longer a luxury, it is a fundamental necessity,” she said.

She warned against any consolidation that could lead to monopolistic control or increased service costs, especially given the Government of Belize’s majority stake in BTL. She also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the lack of clarity on who stands to benefit from such deals.

Panton called on the Government to immediately inform the National Assembly and the Belizean people of any proposed mergers or structural changes at BTL, insisting that no agreement should move forward without stakeholder consultations and Parliamentary approval.

She also urged the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to actively engage in safeguarding consumer interests and maintaining service standards throughout the process.

“This is not a time for secrecy,” she said. “If BTL is to merge ‘for Belize,’ as its statement implies, then the Belizean people must be the first to know, the first to understand, and the first to benefit.”

Shyne’s Facebook Accounts “Permanently Disabled”

Update: On Wednesday June 18, Barrow posted, “Thanks to the good people at facebook Meta mark zuckerberg and everyone involved in recovering my page.”

The former Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow is calling on Meta Platforms Inc. and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to reinstate his Facebook accounts, which have been permanently disabled despite his appeals.

Barrow shared screenshots of communications from Facebook informing him that his accounts had violated the platform’s Community Standards and were first suspended and later permanently disabled.

Barrow expressed frustration, stating in his caption: “Who can help me? @facebook @meta @zuck does not believe I’m Shyne and since Sunday they have permanently disabled my Facebook accounts.”

One of the notifications from Facebook reads: “Your Facebook account has been permanently disabled… we still found that your account, or activity on it, didn’t follow our Community Standards. You can’t request another review.” Another message grants him 180 days to appeal the suspension of a different account under the name “Moses Shyne Barrow.”

Shyne, who rose to international fame as a rapper before entering politics, has maintained an online presence.

BTL Addresses Consolidation Rumors and Future Plans

Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has issued a public statement addressing recent media speculation surrounding potential consolidation within the country’s broadband and cable telecommunications sector. The company emphasized that such discussions are not new and have been ongoing both locally and globally for several years.

“Over the years since 2018, BTL and operators have exchanged and discussed proposals for amalgamation,” the company said.

BTL further stated that any future consolidation efforts would be carefully considered. “Any potential future consolidation would be guided by the goal of strengthening Our National Telecom to the benefit of the people of Belize.”

“These efficiencies could translate into better services, expanded access for underserved communities, improved value for consumers and employees, and stronger returns for our more than 1,500 shareholders,” BTL added.

Decomposed Body with Gunshot Wounds Found in Unitedville Cemetery

San Ignacio Police are investigating an apparent murder. This follows the discovery of a decomposed body in the Unitedville Village cemetery, Cayo District.

The body was found around 3:44 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025.

Officers observed the body of a male in an advanced state of decomposition. He was wearing a green T-shirt over a black undershirt, black three-quarter pants, a black baseball cap, and black-and-white Nike slippers.

The body showed three apparent gunshot wounds, one to the left side of the neck, one to the left shoulder, and one to the abdomen. A single expended S&B brand shell casing was found approximately three feet from the body.

The body was later transported to the National Forensic Science Service Lab in Belize City, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the victim’s identity. Attempts to identify the individual by the village chairman and other community members were unsuccessful. Police investigations continue.

Charges Drafted Against Dangriga Teachers

Charges have been drafted against teachers in Dangriga who participated in a road blockade protest yesterday.

The protest, part of an ongoing salary dispute between the Belize National Teachers Union and the government, involved teachers using vehicles to block key road junctions in Dangriga and Bella Vista. This action disrupted traffic flow and restricted the freedom of movement for residents and emergency services.

Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith explained that while the teachers have the right to express their grievances, the police cannot allow protests that infringe on others’ rights. After giving the protesters up to two hours to disperse and remove their vehicles, law enforcement took measured action when the blockade continued.

The police have reviewed relevant legislation, including the Criminal Code, Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, and Control of Public Meetings and Public Processions Act, to draft charges. Possible offenses include obstruction of traffic, unlawful assembly, obstruction of officers, and aggravated assault.

Gunfire Erupts on Victoria Street, One Man in Custody

A routine police checkpoint turned violent on Tuesday night when gunfire broke out near Victoria Street in Belize City. The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m., just a few blocks from where officers were stationed on New Road.

According to ASP Stacy Smith, “An officer who was posted at the checkpoint located on New Road in Belize City reported that whilst on duty, he heard shots coming from the direction of Victoria Street to which he responded.”

The officer proceeded toward the sound of gunfire and encountered a man behaving suspiciously. When he ordered the man to stop, the situation quickly escalated. “He observed an individual who he saw in a suspicious manner and instructed him to stop and that person responded by firing shots at the officer,” ASP Smith explained. “The officer, in turn, returned shots in the direction of the individual.”

Police have since detained one man, identified as Clive Hendricks, in connection with the shooting. A firearm was also recovered as part of the ongoing investigation.