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BTV Says G.O.B. Should Do More for the Chiquibul

The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) says that the government should do more to protect the Chiquibul Forest. In a press release, the BTV said that the government must take “decisive steps to halt this invasion”. That invasion the BTV is referring to is the illegal activities being carried out by Guatemalans inside the Chiquibul Forest. Earlier this week, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) that a flyover conducted recently revealed a newly constructed road inside the Chiquibul. The FCD says the road is for access to water, thereby facilitating for a more pronounced activity of cattle ranching activity in that southern region of the park by Guatemalans. Leader of the BTV, Wil Maheia told News Five that there must be an increase presence in the Chiquibul for its protection.

Wil Maheia, Leader, Belize Territorial Volunteers

“We find it very, very sad that on international days of environment, Belize is priding itself on protecting our natural resources yet turning its back to all the incursions and degradation that’s happening to our protected areas. We call on the government, we call on the UDP who has been very quiet throughout all this. This just didn’t start yesterday. This started more than 10 years ago and it continues to grow. There’s over 2000 hectares which is larger than the entire Belize city that has been deforested. Now the average Belizean cannot even go on the side of the road and clear land without being arrested. Why can’t the government stop the Guatemalans? Obviously they don’t care because they are not doing anything, right? Three years now since this government got into power. Nothing has been done to really stop the incursions into the forest in my opinion. Yes, I give the government a big applause for building the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. That has reduced the amount of illegal fishing. If we do the same in the Chiquibul it will reduce the incursions. It will reduce the degradation of our protected areas. This is Belize. This is what we have.”

Belize Celebrates International Day of Forest

On Thursday, Belize joined the global community in celebrating International Day of Forest. This year’s theme is Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World. The theme highlights the need for the development of new technological solutions to fight against deforestation. On Thursday, forest officers along with B.D.F. soldiers replanted about a hundred mangroves along the coastline of Cattle Landing Village in the Toledo District. We spoke to Forest Officer, Minerva Gonzalez.

Minerva Gonzalez, Forest Officer, Forest Department

“The theme for this year as every year there is a different theme, is forest and innovation. So it speaks to how we use technology in order to maintain our forest, conserve and protect and restore our forest. This here is a technology. While it might not be a computer, having any sort of intervention by man, using different equipment is the use of technology. We are being innovative in trying to restore the forest we have lost.”

B.S.C.F.A. Responds to B.S.I.’s Position on COI

Last night, we told you that A.S.R./B.S.I. denounced Prime Minister John Briceño’s decision to launch a Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry. It was gazetted on March nineteenth, prompting a statement from the multinational company. The miller contends that the decision is politically motivated and erodes B.S.I.’s investor confidence. Today, members of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association’s executive team were present for day two of the budget debate inside the National Assembly. They were there to support Jose Mai, the Minister of Agriculture and a member of the B.S.C.F.A. Alfredo Ortega, the Vice Chairman of the Committee of Management commented on B.S.I.’s position.

Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, BSCFA

“Like in any case it is a pity they behave in that way because in all, before they had said that they want to put two commissioners on which they had named them, from Brazil two join the other three persons from Marishous. So they were on board long before this thing with the commission of inquiry. It is nothing new, so it is a pity to hear from them now on this date that they will be coming out and say they will not support the commission of inquiry. I think that the prime minister has to take better steps and better decision in regards to this commission of inquiry, because as you can recall, the prime minister and the minister of agriculture have mentioned many times that once the commission of inquiry brings out their information that information will be used by the cane farmers, not only the BSCFA but the other associations to get better commercial agreements and also it will assist the Government of Belize to produce a modernized sugar industry. So to us the BSCFA is not a surprise, but we believe that Belize should not admit that multinationals comes and place in our throats or in our mouths what they want things to happen in their way. Belize is a nation of laws and rules and rules must prevail. If, look, I will use this example, whenever a Belizean opens a small business and GST gets to know there is a business, they come directly to the business and investigate so that person can pay their GST. So if they do that to small Belizean people, why shouldn’t they do that to the multinationals?”

“If they want to go, let them leave”, B.S.C.F.A. to B.S.I.

In its release, A.S.R./B.S.I. noted that it will have to reevaluate its options in Belize. Well, B.S.C.F.A. says if A.S.R. wants to leave Belize then let them leave. Ortega says, the industry will not collapse in the absence of A.S.R.

Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, B.S.C.F.A.

“Of course yes, if we the BSCFA were prepared to buy the mill we had the money in hand ready to do so. It is a pity that the government at the time didn’t give us the opportunity to buy it over but rather they chose to give it to BSI. So if they want to go, let them leave. The industry will not die because they want to leave. There are other investors that want to come into the country. But because the design of the Sugar Industry Act, many of them that come just go away because as it is in the monopoly of BSI/ASR. SO we are not afraid if they want to pack and go because we know that will never happen. They are just trying to threaten us and the government so that we fall at their knees and do as they please.”

B.S.C.F.A. Says PM has Moral Responsibility to Sugar Industry

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister told reporters that he does not listen to B.S.C.F.A. press conference. As you may be aware, the association holds a number of press conferences to ventilate its concerns to the public. They also use the opportunity to get across direct messages to political leaders like PM Briceño. The association did just that on Tuesday. We asked Ortega for his response to the PM’s remarks.

Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, B.S.C.F.A.

“The prime minister well knew before he was elected how the sugar industry was. He was the one who said that once he is elected he would work for the betterment of the sugar industry, that the industry would be one of his priority that he would be creating the marketing committee in the first one hundred days of government. That has not happened as yet. So, we do believe that as the prime minister of this country to look over the sugar industry and to see that the industry has the necessary tools for it to be viable.”

Reporter

“Who is not listening to your press conferences is the prime minister. He said so yesterday, what is your response to that?”

Alfredo Ortega

“Well it is a pity that now that he is elected to give that type of response. I think that as the leader of the country he has a moral responsibility to the sugar industry.”

Minister of Agriculture Says COI is What is Best for Sugar Industry

During his contributions to the budget debate, Jose Mai, the Minister of Agriculture, confirmed that he and Prime Minister John Briceño have a difference in opinion over the commission of inquiry into the sugar industry. Mai noted that the commission of inquiry has been gazetted and as a result is now law. He further stated that while there is resistance, he believes this is what is best for the industry.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“The recent protest was handled well. It would have been under the UDP the security forces would have been led by some rough neck UDP, man handle the cane farmers, they would have roughed them up, have their guns raised and let us remember who shot to death Anastacio Guiterrez of Asan Victor, Prime Minister Barrow refused to meet with cane farmers to address the matter. This is unlike our PM who cl4early we do have difference of opinion, but nevertheless have taken his time to meet with both sides and I am hopeful we will put this sugarcane matter to rest. And while there were some delays with the signing of the commission of inquiry, it has been signed and it is law. We do expect resistance but again I am convinced we all want the best for this industry.”

Immigration Officer Detained Following Alleged Theft at PGIA

An immigration officer was taken into police custody earlier today, following an allegation made against him by a Jamaican national at the Philip Goldson International Airport. It is alleged that the unnamed officer may have been involved in the theft of several thousand U.S. dollars from the traveler this morning. This afternoon, News Five contacted Chief Executive Officer Tanya Santos, of the Ministry of Immigration, who confirmed that contrary to a report that was published on social media earlier, only one officer has been detained for questioning.

Belize Moved from 6th to 14th Most Dangerous Latin American Country

In his contributions to the budget debate, Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs, reflected on last week’s spate of murders across the country. In the same vein, he noted that the number of murders per year has significantly decreased under the People’s United Party. Crime is one of the issues that the Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, used to criticize the Briceño administration during his budget presentation. Well, Minister Musa says Barrow cannot dance behind the statistics.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“I once again take the opportunity to share my thoughts, prayers and condolences with those who lost their loved ones last week. And while yes last week was an extremely painful one for Belizeans, the leader of the opposition, try as he may simply cannot escape the numbers. The raw black and white statistics dictates that crime is exponentially worst when the United Democratic Party is in power. When they left office in 2020 the average number of murders was around one hundred and thirty per year. As of December thirty first 2023, the number of murders in Belize decreased to eighty seven compared to one hundred and thirteen in 2022. We have moved from the sixth most dangerous country in Latin America in 2020 under the UDP, down to eleven in 2022 and in 2023 I am pleased to report we have gone further down that list to fourteen. So try as he may but the leader cannot dance behind the statistics as he said yesterday.”

Belize City Mayor Assigns New Portfolios to Councillors

Less than a week after having taken office, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner has issued portfolios to the ten councillors. Wagner is taking on Finance, Budgeting, Human Resources, Staff Development and Training, Public Relations, Special Events, and Anti-Corruption. Deputy Mayor Allan Pollard Junior has been given Works and Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Labor Relations. Councillor Kaya Cattouse is dealing with Sanitation and Maintenance, Women and Children, Special Needs and Diverse Abilities Initiatives, and After School Programs. Councillor Malcolm Nunez got Youth, Sports and Wellness; Councillor Evan Thompson will take on Market Management and Community Engagement. Councillor Eluide Miller will tackle Traffic Management, Management Information Systems, E-Governance, Local Economic, Development, Trade and Investment, and Small and New Business. Councillor Stephanne Hamilton has Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Foreign Affairs and Sister City Relations; Councillor Dorian Usher will deal with Cemetery and Public Health; Councillor Edmund Kwan will deal with Municipal Court matters, Enforcement, and Internal Security. Councillor Javier Castellanos will be responsible for CEMO/Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change, Zoning and Planning, and the Building Unit; and Councillor Sherwin Garcia will look after Parks and Playgrounds, and Beautification. These duties and responsibilities will be held for the next three years, or until the mayor decides to reshuffle the council.

Five Million for Housing is “Unacceptable” says Housing Minister

The Government of Belize has allocated five million dollars to construct low-income homes for Belizean families. During its campaign leading up to the 2020 general elections, the Briceño administration committed to building ten thousand homes. Three years into their term and just over two hundred homes have been constructed and handed over. That is a far cry from ten thousand homes. And, with five million dollars earmarked this year, Julius Espat, the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, says five million dollars for housing from a one point five-billion-dollar budget is unacceptable.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure & Housing

“I believe and I am so happy that the member from Queen Square believes that we have not. Ih wah hurt mih heart fih say it, but I agree with the member from Mesop that we wanted more budget for housing. Ah the tell yo, because I have to not because I want. We should lobby the Ministry of Finance that we receive more funds to be able to help the people get shelters over their heads. If we don’t do that the haves will be happy that they believe the have-nots should get. They lobby, mek deh guh dah the bank. Just don’t say it when I am around, because when I am around I will tell them, but how will they go to the bank to get money? They don’t have no jobs, they are single mothers, deh the struggle, they don’t have an opportunity in life, some of them are disabled. You are setting them up to fail. You know they come with their briefcase and say you can go to the bank. You can go to the bank, but the people we help cannot go to the bank. So it is our job and many members here believe in it. I am the only one that voices it often; we need more budget for the housing.”