Category: Economy

The Belize Defense Force organized a media trip today to the recently renovated Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. Viewers will recall that B.D.F. soldiers had to vacate the base and relocate to Barranco Village due to its deteriorated state. There is once again a permanent B.D.F. presence at the base. And it is needed, because of the illicit activities that occur in the area, such as illegal fishing and human trafficking.  And as we found out firsthand, Guatemala is claiming the entirety of the Sarstoon River. Here is News Five’s Paul Lopez with more on what reporters encountered during their trip around the hotly contested island.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Belize Defense Force organized a media trip to the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base to cover the recently completed renovations at the location. Following the ceremony, Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defense Force, organized a tour around Sarstoon island. Immediately after launching from the base, members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces deployed two vessels. Their military base is erected directly across from the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. The Guatemalan vessel made initial contact with a BDF vessel that was trailing behind. The Guatemalan armed forces then approached our vessel.

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“Good Afternoon, Do you speak spanish? Welcome to Guatemalan waters. What is the purpose of your visit?”

Paul Lopez

“This is Belize’s River. This is our river.”

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“No, this is Guatemala’s River.”

Paul Lopez

“No this is our river.”

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“What is your purpose of visit?”

Belize’s border begins at the center of the southern channel of Sarstoon Island. The BDF vessels and the boat we were in, were all within the limits of Belize’s territory. The Guatemalan Armed Forces’ vessel was also in Belize’s territory, though they claimed it as Guatemala’s and informed the group that we were trespassing. As we journeyed along the southern channel, adjacent to Sarstoon Island, two Guatemalan vessels followed. The tour reached the western end of Sarstoon Island and proceeded towards the Northern channel. Not surprisingly, the Guatemalan Armed Forces continued trailing the vessels further into Belize’s territory. Here, their vessel pulled up to ours once more. One soldier demanded to speak with an official on board.

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“This river is the property of Guatemala.”

Paul  Lopez

“This is for Belize. You don’t have permission.”

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“Please respect the protocol. I’m inviting you to leave Guatemala’s river please.”

At this point we were all in the northern channel which runs directly along Belize’s coast. Brigadier General Azariel Lorria intervened.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, Belize Defense Force

“They say, you have heard it, that the whole river belongs to them. We are telling them no it is not so, it belongs to Belize. They are saying that it is undisputed there is no discussion. But we are at the ICJ at this moment so. It is not frustrating to me because this is not the first time that they are there following us. I have been here on numerous occasions and they always follow us. What we need to do is have a bit of common sense and report it through the channels. It is not for me to decide what to do here. So this, I have directed by commanders to document it, send it to the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security and they will send it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then it will become diplomatic and they will know what to do.”

Guatemalan Armed Forces followed our vessels until we reached the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. They then stopped, in Belize’s territory, and observed until our vessel left the river. Reporting for News 5, I am Paul Lopez.

Minister Of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Andre Perez has officially returned to the cabinet. The Belize Rural South Area Representative spent nearly eight months on leave of absence amid sexual misconduct allegations that arose in August 2023. Perez, however, refuted these claims and in January of this year, Prime Minister John Briceño said that Perez’s return to cabinet was not improbable. Earlier this month, Perez attended his first cabinet meeting after being officially reinstated. We caught up with Perez to hear how the return to cabinet has been going so far.

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation

“I’m excited to be back. I hit the ground running, If you want to say that on the very first week there was some issues to deal with the oceans conference as it relates to blue economy. So I had to be out of town for official duties. I was a bit difficult for me because I had my work laid out as I started my first meetings, my head of directors and head of departments from the different ministries, including blue economy and no disaster management. But yesterday was very intense with the meeting there. And of course, finding that balance that we keep on as an ear representative. I serve on the third largest division in entire country. So that’s a great responsibility as well. So it’s finding that balance that we’re doing excellent. And this is one of these days here in Caye Caulker. This is my stomping grounds. I’m happy to be here and also doing the work as a minister.”

The General Legal Council has issued a decision in a matter involving attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington, following a complaint that was brought against him by a former client.  Earlier this year, we ran a story regarding a resident of Dangriga who sought Elrington’s legal services in an attempt to collect social security benefits after he lost his wife in December 2021.  Elrington was also retained to pursue a constitutional claim challenging certain provisions in the Social Security Act as being discriminatory, as well as to recover the widower’s pension and damages.  It is subsequently alleged that Elrington entered into a settlement agreement with the Social Security Board without the consent of his client whose instructions were for the matter to be taken to court.  Elrington reportedly settled for a lesser sum, well below what Pastor Dozie anticipated had the matter gone to trial.  Dozie later filed a complaint with the GLC which was heard back in February.  Having considered all the evidence that was presented on both sides of the argument, the council, comprised of five attorneys and a High Court judge, determined that Elrington is guilty of grave professional misconduct in respect of representing his client, Pastor Dozie.  Earlier today, we sought a reaction from Elrington regarding the decision.

Orson “OJ” Elrington, Attorney-at-law

“I am an officer of the court, an officer of the law, so I always respect the processes and decisions, but that does not mean that we have to agree with them whatsoever.  And in this case, I most certainly don’t agree with the conclusions of the GLC… but it is still a live issue before the courts and so the details of that I will not get into.”

Isani Cayetano

“In a situation such as this, is there any room for appealing the outcome from the GLC, or how does that aspect work?”

Orson “OJ” Elrington

“There is always, our legal process always allows the opportunity for decisions to be reviewed.  So there is always, essentially, room for decision to be reviewed.”

Isani Cayetano

“What happens next, because if I understand the decision now says, essentially that an action was taken by yourself that was not necessarily approved or wasn’t necessarily the instructions given by your client.”

Orson “OJ” Elrington

“The question that was before the GLC was whether or not the client consented to the settlement, right?  That was the question, not anything more than that.  Whether or not there was a consent to a settlement.  We said that the client orally consented, alright.  Regrettably, what happened to state it once more is that we took on a matter essentially pro bono.  That is one of the things that is lost in all of this equation.  It is essentially what is called a contingency basis which is also one of the issues that was in the matter.  We took on a matter that would merely be able to cover the minimum filing fees for the matter, a huge constitutional matter.  What we did again, which is lost in all of this, is challenge the constitutionality of the Social Security Act which we said discriminated against men, and as you know, the settlement effectively said that the Social Security Board and the Government of Belize would have amended the legislation because it was unconstitutional, which they did.”

The idyllic village of Caye Caulker, known for its ‘go slow’ attitude, just got a little more beautiful. For years, one of the island’s most popular attractions was the fish tucked away at Tarpon Cove. Everyday visitors and residents line up with a sardine in hand for a chance to see a tarpon leap from the water and eat from their palms. To enhance this experience for visitors and locals, the Belize Tourism Board, in partnership with the Government of Belize, has collaborated to see the pier at Tarpon Cove completely renovated. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the inauguration of the cove today to learn more about the project.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For years, Caye Caulker’s Tarpon Cove has been a source of excitement for those lucky enough to discover the tucked away pier teeming with fish just under the surface. For just a small fee, tourists and locals can watch as tarpons leap out of the water to feed from their hands as they hover it above the water. Now, these locals and tourist can enjoy the activity on a newly renovated pier as the Belize Tourism Board and The Government of Belize have collaborated to rejuvenate the area. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk management, gave us more information about the project.

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy & Disaster Risk management 

“It is surely a festive event. I can tell you that this is something that we have been working for quite some time. Now, when I’m in Somalia came around visiting some page on Caye Caulker, I’m looking at different projects that we can adopt and adapt to make changes to enhance what is already existing here in San Pedro and Caye Caulker When we always talking about just Shark Bay, Hol Chan, Mexico Rocks, the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. But there are little spots there that also are available that are very eye opening, but it’s still small and quaint. Now, when Minister Mahler and I spoke, that we want to do something good for this place, and how we can enhance it, we both were aware that we don’t want to commercialize it to the point where it’s out of hand. We wanted to bring that to the table. That balance for it to be sustainable to be quaint, but at the same time attractive and beautiful and we still keep that charm that key cocker has so today we’re looking at this and exactly what we have done.”

Perez said that one of the key missions of this project was to ensure that it would not impede on the natural resources or endanger the livelihoods of the local custodians. He said that creating a space that attracts tourists without over commercializing or exploiting the environment is a balancing act.

Britney Gordon

“How do you ensure that a project like this remains sustainable?”

Andre Perez

“Okay sustainability is actually a keyword that you’re mentioning as it relates to tourism and blue economy as well. We’re talking about that. Sustainable is key. It means that we have to find a balance at all times. We want to keep those tarpaulins there and take care of it. But at that, we don’t want to over commercialize. But we must also make the custodians benefit as much as possible. We can’t be the extreme that we’re environmentalists and we start to cut them where eventually they’re not benefiting. So it’s that balance that we’re doing. And the tourism product that minister Mahler talked about to develop the tourism product is all about that. And at the same time, Blue Economy is also about enhancing everything here, but being very sustainable to maintain everything here. The mangroves is important. It plays a vital role. So we can turn it around and make it a beautiful place with the mangroves. Don’t worry about the mosquitoes. Don’t worry about that. That’s something that we can work with and deal with. That’s how it is. Sustainable. This particular place we have here is a shining beacon of what we can do of sustainable growth. Sustainable growth that means by using our waters available here that we can exploit in a sustainable way and at the same time for everyone to enjoy it as well.”

Nicole Solano, CEO of the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations said that the idea for this endeavor has been in the works for a while, but it only began to come onto fruition this year. She said that it falls into alignment with the ministry’s goal of enhancing the tourism sector.

Nicole Solano, C.E.O., Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations

“This event here in Caye Caulker is just one of many projects that we’re doing for tourism. Uplifting the tourism product. This facility here at the Tarpon Cove is something that has been happening for such a long time. And it was really in accordance with the Minister of Tourism and the Minister for Blue Economy looking at what was needed in Caye Caulker together with the Village Council and some of the upgrades that were needed for the village for tourism. It had a, it always had a pair and people have been coming here for years. But it was indicated that uplifting that boardwalk and creating a nicer space would make for a better experience for guests. So that’s really what was the purpose of this entire project.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

The issue of redistricting remains in limbo, despite the Belize Peace Movement leading the charge. Last year the B.P.M. issued a consent order, requiring the Elections and Boundaries Commission to submit the recommendations for redistricting. However, this report still has not been submitted. The B.P.M. said that the call for redistricting is urgent as general elections are approaching and redistricting is necessary to meet constitutional standards of equity. Attorney Arthur Saldivar explained why the push for redistricting is of utmost importance.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney, BPM Claimants

“The Elections and Boundaries did their exercise. We went into the consent order, and they said that they would dutifully put proposals to the National Assembly that  will be consistent with the near equal standard. And of course, what do we expect? Legitimately, we expect it would be near twenty percent or below. We would have been we had arguments and discussions amongst ourselves. If they go fifteen percent that would be fine. But here the elections and boundaries presented us with a thirty-five percent deviation far from what we expected. So we dutifully and rightfully, went to the court in an application to say, listen, this is not right. But we want the court to enforce our rights by from the concept of legitimate expectations.  And this is important because if the elections and boundaries is afforded leeway to do to pick any number they want, what will stop them next year from doing redivisioning? And then they’ll pick fifty percent next year or forty percent or say that 60 percent is fine. A person in Fort George can elect a representative to parliament with two thousand five hundred persons. And a person in Belmopan or Belize, Stand Creek West or Belize rural south must It’s not that you must take five times that number to elect one representative. That is not equality.  You don’t need any kind of math to do that kind of, uh, calculations. So, it is important that we don’t sit by and allow this to pass. Otherwise, what will stop a less benevolent government, a less benevolent group of people coming into the elections and boundaries to say that. Well, if thirty-five is good, then forty-five is good, then 55 is good, who will stop them? So we say that at this point in time, accepting thirty-five percent deviation will not bring justice to our case because certainly we’re, we’re cut short of the international standard, we’re cut short of the constitutional standard.”

The housing budget is arguably the smallest allocation in this year’s fiscal plan.  But is the Briceño administration considering an increase in the expenditure set aside for the construction of new houses across the country?

Reporter

“Is there any potential that the housing budget would be increased via supplementary?  People have complained how minor it is.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well let’s put it this way, it’s way better than what the UDP were doing.  I mean, the UDP, they built no homes and so far we have built going to close to four hundred homes and that’s what you need to look at.  What is it that we’re getting for.  The UDP voted for eight million dollars every year and no houses were being built.  So we are building houses.  Yes, we said we want to do more but we have to do with what we have.  We are still looking around to see if we can get cheap long-term funding and we’re working on that.  Should we get that then obviously we are going to make it available for housing.”