Young Life Lost, Four Others Injured in Deadly Ambush

Twenty-year-old Justin Animo is dead, and four others, including his fourteen-year-old brother, are recovering from gunshot wounds after a brazen ambush outside a fast-food stall on Tuesday night in Lord’s Bank Village. Just after 9:20 p.m., two men on a motorcycle pulled up and opened fire on a group of young men who were simply hanging out. Among the injured are Jayden Martinez, Jose Rodriguez, and Emerson Jeffords. The youngest victim, Animo’s teenage brother, was treated and released, but Justin, believed to be the intended target, didn’t survive. Back at the scene, bullet holes in the food shack’s wall serve as chilling reminders of the violence. Police say a small-caliber weapon was used, and early investigations suggest this wasn’t gang-related, but rather, tied to a domestic dispute. Tanya Arceo brings us the following story.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

What started as a casual hangout outside a small fast-food shack in Lord’s Bank turned into a deadly ambush Tuesday night. Five young men were socializing when two individuals on a motorcycle pulled up and opened fire. Twenty-year-old Justin Animo was fatally wounded and later died, while four others, including his fourteen-year-old brother, were injured. The other victims have been identified as Jayden Martinez, Jose Rodriguez, and Emerson Jeffords. Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado says one suspect is already in custody, and investigators are on the hunt for two more. While the murder weapon hasn’t been found, authorities believe a small-caliber firearm was used. Rosado also confirmed that none of the victims had criminal records, and current intelligence suggests this wasn’t gang related. Instead, it appears to have stemmed from a domestic dispute, with Justin believed to be the intended target.

 

                    Richard Rosado

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“On July twenty ninth, about nine twenty PM police responded to a shooting incident in the Lords Bank area where five individuals received gunshot injuries. Our initial investigation revealed that they were socializing in a yard in the Lords Bank area when a motorcycle with two individuals approached them and the passenger opened fire at them, injuring five of them. One of the individuals later succumbed to his injuries. We have one person in custody, and we are looking for two other people of interest.”

 

Tanya Arceo

“Do you know if this was targeted or if the victims were known to the suspects?”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“We are practically looking at several different theories and one of the theories is domestic related and I won’t want to go further into that.”

 

Commissioner Rosado says investigators reached that conclusion based on the type of injuries the victims sustained, and the ballistic evidence collected at the scene.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“We have multiple shots were fired at individuals.”

 

Reporter

“Was it an automatic type weapon?”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“From the information that we have gathered it was a small caliber fire that was used.”

 

Justin Animo’s death marks another life lost to gun violence and tonight his family is left to grieve while his fourteen-year-old brother recovers from the same attack.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“We have definitely ruled out they are not associated or a member of any criminal group and they have never been detained or arrested by police.”

 

At the crime scene, bullet holes in the food stall wall are a stark reminder of Tuesday night’s violence. Police say they are following strong leads and hope to bring those responsible to justice. The investigation remains ongoing. I am Tanya Arceo, News Five.

Mother of Five Perishes in Motorcycle Crash in Belmopan

Just two days after the tragic loss of Police Constable Arcenio Cus in a motorcycle accident, heartbreak strikes again, this time in Belmopan. A mother of five, Marilyn Roches, has lost her life in another devastating motorcycle crash. She was riding with her partner when he reportedly lost control and slammed into a drain. The impact left her with fatal facial injuries. It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be changed, or lost, on our roads. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

                         Marilyn Roches

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Tonight, a home once filled with the laughter of children and the warmth of a mother’s love is now cloaked in grief. The family of thirty-four-year-old Marilyn Roches, a mother of five, is mourning her sudden and tragic death. Around 2:30 a.m., Marilyn was killed in a motorcycle accident along South Ring Road in Belmopan, right in front of Comprehensive High School. She was riding with her partner when the crash happened. Now, questions are being asked, and the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Richard Rosado, has more on what led to this tragic loss.

 

                     Richard Rosado

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“When approaching the front of Belmopan Comprehensive School, the driver of the motorcycle, lost control of the motorcycles resulting in a fatal injury of Ms. Roches.”

 

Reporter

“Was specimen was taken?”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“Yes, specimen was taken, and the matter is under investigation. I do believe that he was to issue with a notice of intended prosecution pending the outcome of the investigation.”

 

Roches was found lying across the drain with a large cut on the center of her forehead. Her sister, Gwendolyn Roches, recalls the moment she got the devastating phone call.

 

                   Gwendolyn Roches

Gwendolyn Roches, Sister of Deceased

“I mi on duty. I mi about fi report off duty/. So I was still uniformed and about to leave the compound when I get the call. And me being a person weh no like ansa call, I almost ignore the call. I ansa and ney ask me my name and basically clarify if da me. Ney broke the news to me. Again, being her go-to person, it hit me hard. And me being the baby if the family, the one weh everybody always the check pan. So now knowing that she wa neva call me again and ask me how I di do, it’s nerve wracking.”

 

Marilyn’s death comes as a heavy loss to her family, particularly her five kids, the youngest of whom is just five years old. Roches says her sister wasn’t perfect, but when it came to her children, her love ran deep and unwavering.

 

Gwendolyn Roches

“Selfless. Selfless. I mean if da fi she ast, we ah get it. She da mi all for her kids. Ih mi like party so dat da mi our biggest problem with ah, She neva wa give up wa party. Yiu know, she mi about fi be wa granny, Her daughter pregnant and this mi wa be her first grandchild. So we mi excited fi she as muh as she mi excited fi ihself. But ih da mi wa selfless person. Like she woulda guve up ih last fi any bidy and she had a lot if energy. I woulda seh the most outta all ah we.”

 

Investigations reveal that Roches was not wearing a helmet at the time for death, a fact that deepens the pain her family is currently feeling as they Marilyn loved to travel at high speeds.

 

Gwendolyn Roches

“Worldwide anybody weh know she, she da mi di crazy one outta the sixteen ah we weh mi born. When I hear the cycle mi di go very fast, dat da something she mi wa enjoy. We get comfort from knowing, we woulda seh, ih live ih best moments. Because she da wa driver as well. She drive bus, dumptruck, she drive. Anything you put she fronta, we di talk bout from ninja bike. If she could buck speed limit. So I know that ih very last moment, ih mi di have fun.”

 

Marilyn was just a few months away from becoming the first-time grandmother.  Now her family is banding together to offer each other support as they grieve their loss and prepare to welcome a new life to the world. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Final Ride Home Ends in Tragedy for Police Officer

Early Monday morning, thirty-eight-year-old Police Constable Arcenio Cus was killed in a hit-and-run along the Philip Goldson Highway. He had just wrapped up his shift at the Ladyville Police Station and was heading home when he was struck by a vehicle between miles five and seven. The driver didn’t stop. Instead, he fled the scene, leaving Cus fatally injured. A well-known DJ and businessman, Khris Rosado, has turned himself in and is expected to face multiple charges. Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado says surveillance footage and other evidence are now in hand. He also breaks down what happens next in the investigation. Tanya Arceo has a full story.

 

                        Arcenio Cus

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

Thirty-eight-year-old Police Constable Arcenio Cus had just clocked out from his shift at the Ladyville Police Station and was heading back to Belize City on his motorcycle, when the unthinkable happened. Around 1:30 a.m., he was struck head-on by a black vehicle. The driver didn’t stop. Instead, they fled the scene, leaving Cus fatally injured. Now, a familiar face, DJ and businessman Khris Rosado, is in police custody and expected to face a string of charges. Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado has outlined the next steps in the investigation and what charges may follow.

 

                            Richard Rosado

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“I know that in reference to the fatal of PC Cus I know the investigators have collected evidential matter including video footage and charges should be laid today. I do not want to discuss the details of the investigation so as not to prejudice the investigation. There’s a number of offenses that have been committed when the fatal accident occurred and our investigators are trying to gather as much evidence to lay all possible charges against the individual”

 

The department is mourning the loss of a respected officer with nearly twenty years of service.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“So sad we spoke to him a few days before because we were doing the tour there and he did mention to us that he’s had nineteen years as a police officer, he was a supervisor of one of the relief from what we were briefed by one of the commander, he was a hard working police officer, humble and he was looking forward for the next elevation in his rank and we were looking at that but its just so sad that he said  that the incident occurred and I want to give the condolences to the family because it not only affects all the family but also the colleagues, the police officers that worked with him.”

 

                   Khris Rosado

When asked whether the department was concerned about officers traveling long distances at night on motorcycles, the Commissioner noted that while support is provided, many officers choose motorcycles as their personal transport.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“While our police officers are most of them that work in Belize District are from other district the department has tried as best as possible to facilitate their mode of transportation, in some cases I know that some of our officers do travel on motorcycle but that is their chosen mode of transportation, and like any other Belizeans they rely on it.”

 

Tanya Arceo for News Five.

 

Minister Musa Tours City Stations, Hears Officers’ Concerns Firsthand

Today marked the start of a focused tour across Eastern Division police stations, led by Minister Kareem Musa. It’s part of a broader effort to connect directly with officers, not just the top brass, but those on the front lines. Last week, the team visited rural communities and island stations like Caye Caulker and San Pedro. But today, the spotlight was on Dean Street and Raccoon Street Police Stations in Belize City. Minister Musa says he wants to hear firsthand what officers are facing, professionally and personally, and figure out how to better allocate resources in the upcoming budget. And the need is clear. On Raccoon Street, for example, officers are still working under a roof that’s been leaking since the 1990s, just a year after the building was constructed. It now houses around three hundred staff members, and finding a long-term fix is high on the priority list.

 

                        Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“This part of the tour, commencing today, is specifically for the Eastern Division. Last week, we were able to visit the rural communities, including the island stations, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. This morning, thus far, we have visited the police station on Dean Street, and then of course here at Raccoon Street Police Station. The importance of this tour is to have a very intimate one-on-one with our police officers, not just with the high command of each formation, but to hear from each of our officers what their concerns are professionally, as well as personally and to see how best we can prioritize our resources moving forward for this budget year. Right now, as you could imagine, we are sitting inside one of the buildings that has been a huge concern for the department, not just this year, noy just the last five years, but since the 1990s. This roof has been leaking since the 19902, the year after it was built, and so, it has been a recurring issue. We have done a lot of patchwork, and I am talking [about] the previous administrations, not our administration, and we are trying to see what is the best possible solution because this building currently holds approximately three hundred staff members.”

 

Officers Endure Tough Conditions at Raccoon Street Station

Imagine showing up to work every day, knowing the roof above your head could leak at any moment, soaking not just your desk, but your morale. That’s the reality for nearly three hundred officers stationed at the Raccoon Street Police Station in Belize City. And while a brand-new building is in the pipeline under the CABEI project, set for Chetumal Street, that’s still a year or two away. In the meantime, Musa says urgent repairs are needed now, because officers can’t keep working under these conditions.

 

                  Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“We had some personnel from the ministry of MIDH come in to do an assessment because at some point it was said that the building is condemned, but that is not, in fact, the report that we are getting; that there are remedial works that can take place. But of course, the fundamental issue with this building is the roofing. And so we are getting quotations, we have submitted, actually, quotations, I think, about three weeks ago, to the Ministry of Finance for there to be constructed an actual roof on top of this building because there is none. It’s an actual flat roof, cement roof, but to build an actual canopy roof to prevent the type of leakage that we’ve been seeing, that doesn’t affect only the third floor, but it affects the second floor and even some of the offices on the first floor. Once that roofing issue has been repaired then we will look at the internal repairs to the building, the office spaces. We do have the CABEI project that will construct a building, a second building on Chetumal Street which a lot of the personnel will be relocated to, but that will take some time, a year or two. The 911 center, all our administration staff will be moved over there. And so, a lot of office space will be freed up on this side, but at the same time, even though that’s going to be a year or two, we have to find ways to repair now because this is an urgent situation that we’ve been seeing recurring every single year.”

 

Government Rental Spending Skyrockets: $18.6M and Counting

Tonight, we’re diving into the dollars and cents behind government rentals and what we found might surprise you. News Five asked the Ministry of Public Service for a full breakdown of what taxpayers are shelling out for rental properties. Instead of detailed figures, we got pointed to the proposed budget for 2025-2026. And let’s just say, the numbers speak volumes. The Briceño administration is estimating a staggering eighteen-point-six million in recurrent spending on rents and leases. That covers everything from office spaces to vehicles and other buildings. That’s sixteen million more than what was previously understood. From the judiciary to the Prime Minister’s Office, and across key ministries like Health, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, the rental tab is climbing fast. In some cases, budgets have doubled in just one year. And while some of that spending is local, a big chunk is going toward housing diplomats and renting office space overseas. So, where exactly is all this money going, and why the sudden spike? Here’s Paul Lopez with that story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

In response to News Five’s request for a full and complete breakdown of the government’s expenditure on rental properties, the Ministry of Public Service did not provide the detailed figures. Instead, they referred News Five to the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. Well, the figures are revealing to say the least. According to the Briceno administration’s budget proposal, recurrent expenditure on rents and leases is estimated at eighteen point six million dollars. Now, that includes office space rentals, vehicle rentals and building rentals for other purposes. But that is sixteen million dollars more than what was initially understood to be the cost to taxpayers.

 

A further analysis of the budget by the ministry reveals that the judiciary is shelling out an estimated forty-eight thousand, nine hundred dollars annually on rent and leases. To be clear, all the total figures provided in this report also include vehicle rentals. However, that’s a jump from seventeen thousand dollars in the last estimated budget. The Supreme Court is paying an estimated thirty thousand dollars to rent buildings, while the Magistrates Court is paying four thousand, two hundred dollars for two buildings outlined in the list provided by the Ministry of Public Service, one owned by Jose Antonio Romero in Corozal and another owned by Emilio Zabaneh in Independence Village.

 

On the other hand, the Ministry of Public Service and Governance and Disaster Risk Management pays out an estimated eleven million, six hundred dollars of taxpayer’s money for rents and leases overall. Here is what comes out of that figure for building and office rentals, eight million to rent and lease office space, three million for dwelling or living quarters and an additional thirty-nine thousand to rent other buildings. All these figures are contained within the estimated budget.

 

In the Office of the Prime Minister, one hundred thousand dollars was designated for rents and leases, with twenty-one thousand going to building rentals for strategic management and administration. The list provided by the Ministry of Public Service points to two rental spaces, one for the Office of the Prime Minister in Belmopan to Decia Liu and another for the Prime Minister’s Office in Belize City to The Vista Plaza. Within the same ministry, e-Governance and Digitization is operating with an estimated twelve thousand dollars for building rentals.

 

The Ministry of Finance’s estimated budget for rents and leases doubled over the last fiscal year, from three hundred and eleven thousand to six hundred and twenty-nine thousand dollars.  Two hundred and seventy thousand dollars is going to rent and lease office space for International Financial Services, primarily IMMARBE situated inside the Marina Towers and the Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit inside the Aura Building on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Notably, none of these buildings are highlighted in the list of rentals provided by the Ministry of Public Service.

 

Over the last year, the rent and lease budget almost doubled for the Ministry of Health and Wellness, from one hundred and ninety-nine thousand dollars to three hundred thousand dollars. For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the estimated rents and leases budget stands at four point three million dollars, but the primary expenditure here is overseas representation. It’s costing the taxpayers, one point nine million dollars to rent office space overseas and two point one million dollars annually to house diplomats. And we are only beginning to scratch the surface of what the rent and lease agreements are costing taxpayers.

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

 

We will continue our breakdown in a subsequent newscast

Four Nations, One Caribbean: A Bold Step Toward Free Movement

In just two months, Belizeans will have a whole new level of freedom across the Caribbean, traveling, working, and living in three other CARICOM countries like never before. And, citizens from those countries will also be able to migrate to Belize for similar purposes. It’s all thanks to a groundbreaking agreement signed in July that promises to break down borders and boost regional integration. But what does this really mean for everyday Belizeans, and how will it shape the future of CARICOM? News Five’s Paul Lopez unpacks it all in this week’s Five Point Breakdown.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Four Caribbean nations, including Belize, Dominica, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, have decided to take their partnership to the next level. They’ve signed on to the Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation, and it’s a game-changer for their citizens. So, what does this mean in real life?

 

(What Was Agreed Upon)

If you’re from any of these four countries, you’ll now be able to live, work, study, and access healthcare and other essential services in any of the others, no residency or work permit needed. You can come and go freely, just like you would at home. This protocol was first adopted back in March 2022 during the CARICOM meeting in Belize, but now it’s really starting to take shape with these four countries leading the way.

 

                     Mia Mottley

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados

“There is a case where if a few countries are prepared to move that they can do so through an enhanced cooperation agreement. This will mean that where, the threshold is three countries, raise an issue, once we reach an agreement of two thirds of the community that we can go ahead without unanimity. So that enhanced cooperation is critical towards us being able to progress within the community, without everybody being required to move at the same pace.”

(Why Is This Happening Now?)

So, why is this happening now? Well, CARICOM leaders have been expressing frustration over the slow integration within the Single Market and Economy after twenty-four years.

                   Andrew Holness

Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica

“The CARICOM Single Market and Economy, we agreed that the pace and scope of implementation was just too slow. And we agreed that we will do everything in our power to speed up implementation.  And I am pleased to share that we are now moving from applying administratively the Proctol on Enhanced Cooperation, which all member states have signed, with now four countries, Barbados, Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica reiterating their willingness to implement full, free movement under the protocol, starting first October 2025.”

 

(Belize’s Involvement in Enhanced Cooperation)

Prior to the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation, Belize had limited implementation on free movement provisions. With the cooperation agreement, Belize has fast tracked its regional integration efforts by allowing the participating members states to move, live, work and access services freely.  Prime Minister John Briceno describes the move as an opportunity for economic growth, while Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca welcomed the initiative.

 

           Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño (July 11th 2025)

“If you were to talk to the private sector they will tell you we need more people, we need more workers, desperately, not only at the lower level but middle management and upper management, so we are hoping that by doing that, instead of brining people from England or anywhere in the world our CARICOM brothers and sisters can come to Belize to help in the development of this country.”

 

                         Francis Fonseca

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Home Affairs (July 16th 2025)

“We are a proud member of CARICOM man; we are a proud member of CARICOM. Our brothers and sister in CARICOM deserve the opportunity, as do Belizeans, to travel to these countries that have started out.”

But not everyone’s on board with Belize’s bold move. The country’s inclusion in this enhanced cooperation agreement has stirred up some debate. Opposition voices, including Lead Senator Patrick Faber, are raising concerns, especially about job competition. They worry that opening the doors too wide could put Belizeans at a disadvantage in the job market. And there’s another concern: migration control. Given Belize’s proximity to the United States, some are questioning how this agreement might impact border management and population flow.

 

(Opposition Pushes Back on Enhanced Cooperation)

 

                        Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, Lead Opposition Senator (July 18th, 2025)

“Dah weh the people deh wah live, because we done nuh have enough housing here. That is the thing they don’t tell us. When these people come, the government says they will almost treat them like citizens. Well, news flash, the government can’t take care of the existing citizenry of this country and now they will bring people for us to take care of them. You know what the problem is, Belize is on the mainland and Mexico is right there, so all those people from those small islands that want to cross a border easily now have access to Belize, without having to come for a visa and this is what got us in the problem with Jamaica a little while ago.”

 

(Dawn of a New Regional Frontier)

Come October first, Belizeans will have a brand-new Caribbean chapter to explore. Thanks to the enhanced cooperation agreement, they’ll be able to live, work, and access services freely in Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, no permits, no paperwork. It’s being called a kind of ‘mini-CARICOM’, and this pilot phase is more than just symbolic. It’s a real-world test to see if deeper regional integration can actually work, not just on paper, but in people’s everyday lives.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We are just saying that we will work through over the course of the next three years. look at the attorneys, when that happened, the local attorneys were saying the attorneys from the Caribbean will flood Belize. That has never happened. In every aspect, they have never been flooding Belize. But the truth is we need more laborers, more skilled laborers, but that is no offense to our laborers. I don’t want you to twist my words, we have very good skilled laborers in Belize.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

 

Belmopan Residents Wigh in on 13th Amendment Bill

The second public consultation on the controversial Thirteenth Amendment Bill was held in Belmopan, where a few citizens gathered at the University of Belize’s Conference Center to share their thoughts. It’s a bill aimed at tackling Belize’s mounting problem with gang-related crimes, the Briceño administration maintains that the Thirteenth Amendment is a key to tackling its head-on. But public opinion is mixed. Some Belizeans say it’s time to use every tool available to stop the bloodshed and save lives. But others are sounding the alarm, worried that the bill gives police too much unchecked power, especially when it comes to searching, seizing, and arresting without a warrant. News Five’s Britney Gordon was present to hear what citizens have to say.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It was a low turnout today at the University of Belize Conference Center, where the government was hosting the second public consultation to discuss the widely debated Thirteenth Amendment Bill. It’s a chance for members of the public to come forward and raise their questions and concerns before the bill makes its way into the Constitution. Despite the lack of attendees at both consultations, Henry Charles Usher, Chairman of the People’s United Party, was optimistic that they would be a success.

 

                  Henry Charles Usher

Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, People’s United Party

 “I think it’s important that we hear the public’s views. As I mentioned this morning and the leader of the opposition mentioned, this is not the only way in which the public can submit their recommendations or their criticisms questions on this particular bill, they can do so in person at these public consultations in writing to the National Assembly or by email also to the National Assembly. So maybe some persons would prefer to do it that way.”

 

The recent presentation clarified a key point about the proposed amendment. Officials say it won’t give police the power to arrest without reasonable suspicion. In fact, anyone detained would still have the right to a tribunal review to determine if they should remain in custody. But not everyone’s sold on the idea. Glen Myvette, a concerned citizen, says the language is still too vague, and that ambiguity, has him worried.

                           Glen Myvette

 

Glen Myvette, Belmopan Resident

“We have a police department that is full of hubris and very petty. Reasonable suspicion today may be depending on where you live, the color of your skin, the clothes you’re wearing. Just a few examples.”

 

Reporter

“Why did you decide to come to the consultation and share your concerns?”

 

Glen Myvette

“Because I’m Belizean by birth and I’m a very concerned citizen, and I know this will impact those who are less marginalized.”

 

The tribunal would consists of representatives selected by the Chief Justice and the Governor General, who will hear the police department’s claims of reasonable suspicion for an arrest. Usher says that this is not a new piece of legislation.

 

Henry Charles Usher

“Well, I think it’s important. Yes. And that question was raised in terms of what does reasonable suspicion mean? I think the representative from the Attorney General’s Ministry Council Sheppard explained that reasonable suspicion is a legal term, it is something that has been fleshed out in a number of cases. So you can look at case law, you can also look at different legislations around the world that really speak on the matter of reasonable suspicion. So I think it’s something that I like. One of the last suggestions from an attorney was that we put in the bill itself, the criteria that defines reason suspicion. It’s something that certainly we can look at, but there is a body of law out there that speaks on this particular matter.”

 

Another resident voiced her concerns with the bill. She explains that while she does not oppose the use of States of Emergency, she does not see why it must be written into the constitution.

 

Voice of: Belmopan Resident

“I understand the reason for the SOE. I  am not entirely comfortable with how it operates, but I understand it. I understand the reason for it, what I still have not. What I still don’t fully understand is why we need to change the Constitution. I think that’s a bridge too far.”

 

Following the consultation, several attendees stated that their research into the bill will continue. Usher explains that the government will be compiling all suggestions and concerns for review before the matter is decided.

 

Henry Charles Usher

“Well I think that  there have been very good suggestions in terms of maybe supporting parts of the bill, but also amending other parts of the bill. We heard from persons from coming from a human rights perspective. We heard from persons speaking from their legal training being attorneys at law or having training in other fields. I think what is important is that we put all of these recommendations and suggestions together and we take it back to the House Committee. And of course when the bill is brought up for second reading, our report will be submitted to the House of Representatives. Before that second reading and that debate is done.”

 

At this time, the government has no concrete plans for another consultation; however, further suggestions can be emailed to the government for review. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Union on Tax Shift: “We’re Being Left in the Dark”

On Tuesday afternoon, union leaders sat down with staff members to talk about a major shake-up, the transition to a semi-autonomous revenue authority. But not everyone’s feeling heard. The Public Service Union says this change is being rolled out without proper consultation. President Dean Flowers is holding no punches; he says even top-level staff are being left in the dark. For the union, it’s more about respect, transparency, and making sure workers aren’t sidelined in the process, than it is about policy.

 

                     Dean Flowers

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“After hearing back from the employees today, we have been given a mandate to prepare a position paper for Cabinet and Cabinet needs to know, employees have never been consulted. What is even more shameful is when we met with the ministry of finance and public service, we were told by the director who should be responsible for employee welfare, he was asked what does the ministry of public service who is responsible for employee welfare know about SARA, and his response, and the minutes will show, ask Ms. Longsworth to send you those minutes which she refuse to send to me and I challenged her even before the meeting started, I want somebody to take those minutes, because certain discussions will be had and certain requests will be made and I don’t want you to get it twisted, but let me finish with what the director said, to be honest I cannot comment on this because the only time I heard about SARA is last week when I met in a cost saving meeting. Now how can the ministry of public service responsible for public officers’ welfare not even be aware about this unjust, unfair proposal that ius being put on two hundred and thirty-six public officers.”

 

Dean Flowers Blasts Leadership Over Tax Shift

PSU President Dean Flowers says that while the union cannot determine government policies, it can influence how those polices are implemented. It is with this in mind that the PSU has been rallying employees at the Belize Tax Service Department to demand further clarity on the imminent transition. Flowers took shots at Longsworth, referring to her team and incompetent while asserting that they are managing the process terribly.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“The PSU is not, I don’t believe it is our place to determine what government policies are, but it is our place and our right to influence how those policies are effected properly. They have botched this process and deliberately what they intend to do is the exact same thing, to come like a thief in the night and affect people livelihood like what they did with those employees at the Cooperate and Companies Affairs Registry and what they did with IMMARBE with the Legal Aid, but thankfully these people were asking questions and they had no other option but to come out and say something, albeit they said noting and the day Ms. Longsworth share those minutes with me and we are able to agree on the content of those minutes, and thank goodness the president of the BNTU was in that meeting, thank goodness the human resource director of MPS was in that meeting, the president of APSSM and retired chief magistrate was in that building. So they all know what was said and not said and those minutes need to reflect the gross incompetence of Ms. Longworth and her team and the fact that they don’t know what the hell they are doing and that they are managing this process terribly.”

 

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