hipolito | Greater Belize Media

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.

Child Raped By Stepfather in Corozal

Police say that a 12-year-old girl was raped by her stepfather in Corozal.

The investigation began on May 29, when a woman and her daughter visited the Corozal Police Station to report a series of incidents involving the child’s stepfather. The girl disclosed that the abuse began in June 2019, when she was allegedly subjected to inappropriate touching and forced contact. She further reported that the abuse escalated to sexual intercourse later that year and occurred again on two separate occasions in 2025.

A medical examination was conducted following the report, and a medical officer confirmed that the minor had been carnally known.

Minister Usher Urges Constructive Dialogue Amid Teachers’ Protests

Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher weighed in on the ongoing protest actions by teachers. He said there is need for open and respectful communication between the government and the unions.

Usher stated he supports the unions’ right to express themselves but stressed that dialogue should remain productive. “I believe that they are taking their every opportunity they can to express themselves, which is fine. I don’t have a problem with that,” he said. “But like I say, it’s important to always be discussing it in a productive and a respectful way. We don’t achieve much by just screaming at each other.”

The Minister echoed his preference for meaningful conversation, saying he believes in both sides “talk[ing] to each other, not at each other.” He acknowledged the unions are still awaiting a formal response to their rejection of the government’s latest proposal and confirmed that no official meeting date has been set yet. “I think what is more important is that we can have a reply sent to the unions and then we schedule a meeting for when we can discuss, um, you know, that reply and the response that we receive,” Usher explained.

He noted that despite current tensions, the government is moving ahead with other aspects of negotiations. A meeting is tentatively set for June 18th to discuss and potentially sign a framework for a new round of the collective bargaining agreement. “That’s going to be a whole different set of negotiations and discussions when it comes to what the unions are proposing,” he said.

Belize Monitors U.S. Trade Moves Amid Trump’s Accelerated Tariff Push

As the Trump administration pushes for swift trade concessions from global partners, Belize is navigating a cautious path to safeguard its access to the U.S. market and preserve benefits under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

Director General for Foreign Trade, Andy Sutherland, confirmed that while Belize is not currently a primary target of steep tariffs, the country remains actively engaged through diplomatic channels to prevent potential fallout.

A draft letter from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office revealed the administration’s intent to conclude trade negotiations within five weeks. Countries have been asked to submit their “best offer” on tariff and quota reductions, particularly in U.S. industrial and agricultural imports, by Wednesday, in a bid to wrap up talks that began on April 9.

These negotiations followed a 90-day suspension of sweeping tariffs, set to expire on July 8, which had caused turmoil in financial markets.

“So that 90-day timeframe does not apply to Belize because we’re not in any active negotiation with the US or a trade agreement that would define the tariff structures between the US or any other countries,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland added that Belize remains engaged through diplomatic channels. “ We are engaged through the diplomatic channels. Our embassy in Washington DC reaching out to the USTR on re-enstating the benefits under the CBI because all the beneficiary countries under the CBI do not maintain a trade surplus with the US and as such are not in any way infringing on the competitive position of US companies and industry.”

Belizean Students Graduate from Top Universities in Taiwan

Six Belizean students have successfully completed their studies at two of Taiwan’s most respected universities.

On May 27, 2025, Tracy Maria Quetzal, Krissy Constance Sutherland, and Nadir Kevaun Mendoza graduated from Taipei Medical University. Mendoza, who served as Class Representative, was selected to deliver the graduation speech, earning special recognition for his leadership role.

Just days earlier, on May 24, Kristie Sosa, Joshua Vernon, and Sheryl Ann Leslie received their degrees from the Graduate Institute of International Human Resource Development at National Taiwan Normal University.

For years Belizean students have been earning degrees in Taiwan.