News Five has learned that the Public Service Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers have joined the Belize National Teachers Union in rejecting the government’s proposed three percent salary increase. Union leaders are expected to formally notify the government of their members’ decision tonight. Meanwhile, tensions are rising. When we spoke with BNTU President Nadia Caliz this afternoon, she didn’t hold back her frustration, especially over Prime Minister John Briceño’s recent comment accusing teachers of “holding students hostage.” Caliz called the remark offensive and out of line.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“I must use this medium to respond to my P.M. According to you brother and I say that with respect, according to you my teachers are holding the students hostage. Honorable Briceno governments, both red and blue have been holding us hostage. You have been sending us into poverty. When we look at our classrooms, we finance those classrooms. We take care of those classrooms. A teacher with an associates degree cannot live a comfortable life here in Belize. I say that because we met on the sixteenth of May 2024. And when you are telling me that our teachers are holding the students hostage, you have been holding these students hostage, you are not providing what you should be providing for them. While we applaud the fact that some of them can now get a meal and my teachers no longer have to take out of their pockets to give them that, my teachers have been suffering because they have been doing a part of your responsibility as a government, providing those resources, repairing those schools. So we at the BNTU don’t take that light. I will say antiart thing, you were willing to give up millions with the Caye Chapel project, millions but holding the students hostage, that project is a part of the whole hostage movement we see going on right now.”
BNTU President Nadia Caliz is pushing back against the Briceño administration’s claim that teachers and public servants are already getting a fourteen percent raise over three years, more than the eight-and-a-half percent adjustment they requested. Caliz says that the argument misses the point. She believes the government should follow the example of the late Right Honorable George Price and treat workers with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“You all keep talking about a fourteen percent and giving the impression that we are dishonest with our membership. What is it that your letter is saying? Three percent, a reinstatement of the frozen increment come first of April 2026. So we have to go in and discuss the five percent, so there is no guarantee of the five percent. So please don’t come and talk about fourteen percent when your black and white is not even committing to fourteen percent. So I spent an entire day just thinking about all that was said. But I think you should listening to honorable Julious some more, because people are suffering out here. Everywhere I go somebody stop me and give their story, what is happening in the work place and I didn’t even realize so many people are suffering in this country. They need to do get it right, PUP government, I want to put that part out there for a reason, because you applaud yourselves for being a PUP. I am a history student, I studied George Cadle Price and the work he did and how the PUP came into existence. But right now you are not living up to his legacy. It is about time you take a page out of his book and treat workers with the respect they deserve.”
Union leaders are expected to officially notify the government’s negotiation team tonight that their members have rejected the proposed three percent raise. BNTU President Nadia Caliz confirmed the update and says the unions are ready to return to the table, ideally as soon as Monday, for a second round of talks. But there’s more stirring behind the scenes. Caliz also made a bold claim: she believes members of the current administration have infiltrated her union’s council and executive branch, raising concerns about internal trust and transparency as negotiations continue.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“They have already expressed through so many means that they don’t care what we have planned, they are going to do what they need to do, but they do care because they have infiltrated by council and branch executive and I know a lot of things going on right now. But I wont hide, when it is time for me to say what I need to say and do what I need to do for my membership it will happen. So they don’t have to be paying nobody no secret money for nothing to do nothing. When we are going to make that move we are going to tell you and everyone is going to know what is going to happen. What brought me out here today when I saw the press conference, it was sent to me, about you can go to jail with essential services. They know the consequences of actions, but they don’t know that they need to do something so that we don’t get there. Why do we always have to come blows and wars before we get what we want.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you go back to the negotiation table?”
Nadia Caliz
“We have to go back to the negotiation table but we couldn’t do it on our own. Our members had to give us their mandate which we now have, both BNTU and PSU and APSSM now have a mandate and we are going to communicate that to government today they are going to get that response.”
The Senate has approved a plan to pay for the country’s share in a major capital increase by the Inter-American Development Bank. Last March, the I.D.B. announced a three-point-five-billion-dollar boost to support a new model for its private sector arm, I.D.B. Invest. As a member, Belize must buy a hundred and thirty shares at twenty-one thousand dollars each. To meet this obligation, the government will spread payments over seven years. While U.D.P. Senator Sheena Pitts criticized the move, arguing the money should go toward urgent national needs, Government Senator Eamon Courtenay defended the decision, saying it’s a long-term investment in Belize’s private sector growth.
Sheena Pitts. U.D.P. Senator
“Help me understand that we do this now, you provide justification for doing this now instead of dealing with the teachers’ issues. And I hear KHMH, they’re kicking up. Yeah, you all have a storm ahead brewing. And you know, it’s stated, the Prime Minister knows. I would like to understand, really, genuinely, no cynicism, how is it that we can prioritize having the ability to ear mark this amount of money to put into the IDB Invest above and over what is emergent right now for Belizeans.”
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Lead Senator of Government Business
“Make no mistake about it, the senators on this side, support the Belizean private sector. Make no mistake about it, we will continue to facilitate investment by the private sector by making concessionary loans available from IDB Invest. We will do it again and again and again in the interest of the Belizean people. And those, Madam President, who stand in opposition to this motion today, will have to answer to the Belizean people.”
We’re keeping a close eye on your wallet tonight. New data from the Statistical Institute of Belize shows that while prices are still on the rise, the pace is finally slowing. The national inflation rate for April stands at one-point-three percent—modest, but still noticeable. Food prices continue to climb, with everyday staples like bread, watermelon, and even fruit juice seeing double-digit spikes. Renters are also feeling the squeeze, and butane gas just got pricier. But there’s a silver lining, fuel prices are down, offering some relief at the pump. We’ll break down what’s getting more expensive, what’s easing up, and what it all means for your bottom line. Here’s Isani Cayetano with an economic snapshot.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
New numbers are in from the Statistical Institute of Belize, and they show that while prices are still rising, the pace is slowing. The national inflation rate for April 2025 stands at 1.3 percent, a modest increase from the same time last year. The Consumer Price Index—or CPI—now sits at 119.6, up from 118.1 in April 2024. Once again, food prices are leading the charge. The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 2.7 percent, with notable spikes in everyday staples. Bread and bakery products jumped by 3.5 percent, while fruits like watermelon and lettuce soared by over 20 percent. And if you’re reaching for a refreshing drink, be prepared to pay more—fruit and vegetable juices surged by a whopping 15.4 percent.
Renters are also feeling the pinch. Housing-related costs rose by 2 percent, driven by a 2.3 percent increase in home rental prices. The price of a 100-pound cylinder of LPG climbed by nearly $7, now averaging $127.63. But there’s some relief at the pump. Fuel prices dropped across the board—diesel is down 7.2 percent, regular gasoline fell 6.6 percent, and premium is down 4.1 percent. This helped pull the overall transportation category down by 1.7 percent. Looking at short-term trends, the month-over-month inflation rate was nearly flat at -0.03 percent, suggesting price stability between March and April. Regionally, Belmopan and San Pedro saw the highest inflation at 3.5 percent, driven by rising costs in food, rent, and personal care. Meanwhile, Independence Village bucked the trend, with prices actually falling by 2 percent, thanks to lower costs in food, fuel, and even mobile phones. And finally, the year-to-date inflation rate, which looks at the first four months of 2025, sits at 1.6 percent, with food, housing, and personal care again being the main contributors. So, while prices are still climbing, the pace is easing—and that’s a trend worth watching. That’s your economic snapshot. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
It was a moment that shook the nation back in 2019, an eleven-year-old boy caught in the crossfire of gun violence. Today, six years later, we bring you a rare follow-up on his journey—a story of grief, but also of resilience, hope, and the power of dreams that refuse to fade. As we conclude this month’s search for a bright side in grief, Sabreena Daly shares an updated story of Kyron Green, whose dreams keep him moving forward against all odds. Here’s more.
Kyron Green
Sabreena Daly, Reporting
In May 2019, an eleven-year-old boy attending St. Luke Methodist Primary School was shot in a senseless act of violence. Kyron Green was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when a gunman opened fire near a neighborhood store. Caught in the crossfire, Kyron’s life changed forever. Now, six years on, what once seemed like a temporary setback has become a permanent reality. Kyron is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, carrying not just the physical scars, but the emotional weight of that tragic day.
Kyron Green
Kyron Green, Shooting Victim
“When I go to the boulevard, I sometimes pass the shop. I would just look inside there and watch the area where I got shot. But I don’t really make that bother me because it already happened and I can’t change anything about it.”
His mother remembers that day as the moment her life also changed.
Marsha Belisle
Marsha Belisle, Mother
“That day, that night, I felt like my whole world just crashed. You know, everything just changed inside of me. I felt like I could have just ripped it out and thrown itaway.”
Grief manifests in different ways. And while Marsha Belisle remains grateful that the incident didn’t claim her son’s life, the reality that followed was life-altering. Her son’s life changed in a heartbeat, and over time, she’s learned to live with that reality. Still, Belisle admits there are quiet moments when the “what ifs” linger, and she can’t help but wonder how different things might have been.
Marsha Belisle
“That’s my biggest thing because there are many times when he’s out there with his friends, and they’re running around playing, and he’s sitting in the corner watching them. And I could just look at him and say, man, if he could only get out of that chair and walk, you know. That was my biggest thing. And I hold that a lot because I always wanted to see him up, back walking, moving around. I’d say, man, if he was only up again, different things would happen. But God always sees farther than us. He knows best.”
At Canaan SDA High School, thirty-one students are getting ready to celebrate a major milestone—graduation day. As they rehearse their steps and lend their voices to the commencement song A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman, one story stands out. Among them is Kyron Green—perhaps the biggest dreamer of all. While many dreams are still taking shape, one has already come true for him and his mother, he’s about to graduate high school.
Marsha Belisle
“Yes, that’s the biggest dream. Because I said, despite your injury, son, that doesn’t define who you really are, you know. You still have brains. Your brains didn’t get affected—thank God for that. You may not be walking, but you have a life, and we give God thanks for that every single day.”
Kyron’s high school journey was far from ordinary. It took teamwork—his family, the National Resource Center for Inclusive Education, and Canaan SDA High School all came together to help him succeed. The school’s principal shared that supporting Kyron wasn’t viewed as going the extra mile—it was simply doing what was right: ensuring he had the opportunity to learn and succeed like any other student.
Jaime Roberts
Jaime Roberts, Principal
“When he came here, he was in a wheelchair due to gunshot violence, and we said, yes, we need to do something. We believe in all inclusion. We believe that every child deserves a rightful education.”
Marsha Belisle
“And they had planned that we would do the package every two weeks. We’d go in, get the package, come home. I would literally teach myself the work and then teach him the work, you know. And I had to do a lot of Google studies and things. So he took me back to school myself. And, you know, it’s been a struggle. But he’s here. He’s graduating now.” Kyron Green
“I say thanks to my mom. She’s been there with me, and she helped me go through school and everything. Even though some people from school disliked me, my mom still tells me not to worry about anybody. Nobody will bring you down.”
Kyron Green’s journey hasn’t been easy, but he’s proof that determination can overcome even the toughest challenges. Though his injury changed his life, his dreams and hope remain strong. Now, as he prepares to graduate alongside his classmates to the song “A Million Dreams,” Kyron shares a message of hope and resilience for others facing similar struggles
Kyron Green
“So people could be in my stage, like in a wheelchair, too, and they might be going through the same thing as me. I never gave up, So you don’t give up, either. If I made it through, you can make it through, too. Just put your mind to it, don’t worry about what nobody says.”
A living proof that even when life takes a turn, dreaming doesn’t have to end. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.
A wave of green swept through the country today, as members of local B.N.T.U branches took to the streets in a powerful show of unity and purpose. It’s all part of a coordinated picketing action plan aimed at raising awareness and rallying community support for their cause. The day began early, with members wearing green shirts and holding up bold posters as they lined major highways and roads near schools. The message was clear and visible to all commuters this morning: “We matter.” By lunchtime, the action moved to the heart of communities, drawing the attention of parents, business owners, and passersby. The atmosphere was peaceful but passionate, as members engaged with the public and shared their messages. But the action didn’t stop there. Throughout the day, members visited local businesses and institutions, distributing flyers and speaking directly with shopkeepers and community leaders. The goal? To build solidarity and spread awareness far and wide. Photos were snapped, stories were shared, and social media lit up with the hashtag #WeMatter, as members flooded platforms with images and updates from the field. This grassroots campaign is more than just a protest—it’s a movement. And today, it made its presence known.
Coral Lord
Coral Lord, B.N.T.U. President, Belize District
“We are out here today educating and getting support from the general public for our cause. As we all know, we have been agitating for a salary adjustment. We are requesting an 8.5% salary adjustment and the return of our two frozen increments. So today we are just out here to highlight and to make it known that we are going the full length and we are in phase two of our industrial action where we are asking the public for support on this cause because we all know that when the spending power of teachers increase, the spending power of all the other persons in our society increases as well. We support local businesses, we support mom and pops stores and all the business community. The PM was not being honest in his statement. We all know the politricking that they do. When we are out here and they are not in government, they come out and support us fully. But when they are the ones in the government seat, they forget all the promises they made and the support they lent to the teachers. The PM is saying that they are giving us over fourteen percent, but that’s not true. We can all go back and fact-check him. The document that he sent to us saying exactly what the offer was specifically states that he’s willing to give us a three percent salary adjustment come first of October and the return of one frozen increment at the start of the financial year 2026/2027.”
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union, or KHMHAWU, has announced it will begin industrial action tomorrow afternoon, citing a prolonged deadlock in pension negotiations with the Government of Belize. The union says it’s had enough. After months of stalled talks, KHMHAWU is launching what it calls a “phased and lawful” campaign to demand fairness and long-term security for its members. The action begins with peaceful workplace demonstrations, including staff wearing “Gimme Mi Pension” T-shirts as a show of unity. But this is just the beginning. The union has outlined a tiered plan that could escalate to a full strike if no progress is made. That includes a “go-slow” approach at work, increased media engagement, and a potential 21-day strike notice. In response, the Labor Department has reminded the union that under the Settlement of Disputes and Essential Services Act, any industrial action must first be reported to the Minister of Labor. Today, we spoke with Labor Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt, who emphasized the importance of following the legal dispute resolution process.
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
Rissela Dominquez-Patt, Labour Commissioner
“One of the things they have to do before any trade dispute or strike is that they need to report the matter to the minister. Once they report this matter to the minister then in twenty-one days the minister would decide if it will take a mediation or based on the circumstances of the dispute whether the matter would be taken to the tribunal and thereafter whatever decision the tribunal makes, if the decision is taken to the tribunal then that decision is final. Any institution that falls under this act cannot just get up and say we are going to strike. The primary objective or goal of this legislation is to ensure that they are uninterrupted, they do not interrupt their services, because they provide critical service to the public. Any interruption can cause serious damage to the public. That is why these organizations are under this legislation.”
Paul Lopez
“Have you all received any letter or notice as is required by law?”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“That is what we are telling the union, we work very closely with employers and workers. We communicate with KHMHWA the union and KHMH. Earlier this month we brought them together for a different situation. We are constantly in communication with them. In terms of this grievance we have not received anything in writing or anything at all form any of the parties.”
Labor Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt is reminding unions that any action that disrupts work, whether it’s walking off the job or slowing down services, counts as a strike under Belizean law. And that means there are rules to follow. In the past, some KHMH Workers Union members claimed they were simply on break or using a day off during protests. But the law is clear: if the action causes work to stop or services to be interrupted, it’s considered a strike. And there are consequences. Violating the rules under the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act could lead to fines or even jail time. The law also outlines a formal process for resolving disputes, which includes notifying the Minister of Labor before any industrial action begins.
Rissela Dominquez-Patt, Labour Commissioner
“Under section fifteen which is one of the section we empathized the employer or the worker, in this case the union, they shall, and we have to respect that, they shall not take part in any strike in connection with any dispute. If there is a dispute they shall not take part in any strike. The legislation provides a definition of a strike. It says the cessation of work by a body employed. What do we understand by cessation of work. It does not say full cessation or part cessation. In terms of cessation, we mean any stop of work. So any think that has to do will stop of work whether part or complete that is cessation. So if you are going to take any action you need to understand how this will affect the work you do. Will that be considered a cessation of work, whether part fully.”
Paul Lopez
“What could be the possible ramifications as outlined in the law in the event they decide to take any one of these actions outside of presenting a notice?”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“If they fail to present a notice it means they cannot strike and if they proceed to strike it means that anything in the legislation is an offense and that offense is punishable under summary conviction. So there is a fine and there is imprisonment. So if we decide to enforcement the legislation, they are breaking the law in small terms, there will be a fine and possible imprisonment. Labour Commissioner Rissela Dominquez emphasized that every citizen is afforded the right to freedom of speech under the constitution. So, they can engage certain actions as long as it does not stop the essential service they provide.”
If you’re wondering whether teachers need to give twenty-one days’ notice before going on strike—the answer is no. Labor Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt has clarified that the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act does not apply to the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). That means teachers aren’t legally required to give advance notice under that specific law. However, that doesn’t mean they can strike without any rules. According to the Labor Commissioner, the BNTU must still follow the grievance procedure outlined in their collective bargaining agreement, a contract between the union and the government that sets out how disputes should be handled. So, while teachers have more flexibility than some essential service workers, they’re still expected to follow the proper steps before walking off the job.
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
Rissela Dominquez-Patt, Labour Commissioner
“The teachers as I mentioned are only fourteen, so they do not fall under this specific legislation. They fall under a different regulation, that is why they were able to do and are able to do what they are doing. So, they don’t fall under this legislation.”
Paul Lopez
“And they have free reign to engage in their demonstration, sickouts, during lunch time picketing, whatever actions they intend to do.”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“Like I said they would not fall under this legislation, so they don’t have to provide that twenty-one days’ notice so that there is intervention.”
Paul Lopez
“But they did, which is not necessary.”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“The unions normally like to act within the legislation. So, they like to respect what is there. I think that the unions, especially the teachers union, are trying to ensure they communicate what they intend to do, but definitely they don’t fall under this legislation.”
