BTL Chairman Lizarraga Faces Union Revolt Over Speednet Fallout

The fallout from the failed BTL/Speednet deal is no longer just about a collapsed acquisition. It has now become a public test of accountability for BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga. Tonight, Belize’s trade union movement is turning up the pressure, calling for Lizarraga’s immediate removal and accusing him of losing the trust of workers, employees, and the wider public. Union leaders say the controversy has exposed serious concerns about transparency and leadership at one of the country’s most important utility companies. At a heated press conference today, several unions went even further, saying Lizarraga should not only be dismissed, but should leave without benefits. So, will government continue to back its embattled chairman, or will it give in to the growing calls for him to go? News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Trade unions are vociferously demanding the immediate resignation of BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga. Today, at an NTUCB press conference, leaders from several unions openly questioned his integrity.

 

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB

“We call for the immediate removal of Chairman Mark Lizarraga. Our position is based on a loss of confidence. We believe that the chairman has not been sufficiently honest, transparent and forthcoming with Belizean workers and the Belizean public and therefore has lost confidence with many employees at BTL, workers and Belizeans.”

 

Ella Waight, President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, says Belizeans have lost confidence in Lizarraga’s leadership. The Belize Communication Workers Union represents sixty percent of BTL’s workforce, and its General Secretary, Harrison August, says those employees have also lost faith in Lizarraga’s direction.

 

Harrison August, General Secretary, BCWU

“The joint unions would like to thank the bold stance by Allan Pollard and Anisa Perdomo who actually had the backbone to stand up and vote no against this acquisition. Chairman Mark Lizarraga has failed to act with transparency, timely communication, consultation and good faith engagement, particularly on a decision that directly impact the employees of BTL and the people of Belize, vote of no confidence.”

 

Markhelm Lizarraga and BTL CEO Ivan Tesucum tried to sell Cabinet on the Speednet acquisition back on August eleventh, presenting it as a smart move for the telecoms industry and Belizean consumers. But while they spoke of economic benefits, Lizarraga’s detractors are now focusing on something else entirely: his integrity.

 

Markhelm Lizarraga, Chairman, BTL (File: Aug 11^th, 2026)

“You are calling my integrity into question? Have you looked at the performance of that company. Have you seen the turnaround of that company that we have done in the last five years compared to what it was before? So that is ok. I have been attacked by the best. That is ok. You will judge me by the works and the results of what we are trying to do.”

 

Union Senator Glenfield Dennison raised the stakes, demanding that Lizarraga steps down promptly without receiving any benefits.

 

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“He needs to do the honorable thing and resign and no get no benefits, go directly home and do not pass go, do not collect your pension, do not collect two hundred dollars, just go home.”

 

Government has the legal power to decide who chairs BTL’s Board of Directors. So tonight, all eyes are on Prime Minister John Briceño. Will he move to replace Markhelm Lizarraga, or will the embattled chairman remain in place? Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: