Regional/International - Greater Belize Media

CCJ to Make Determination in GOB and LPG Companies Dispute

Today, the Caribbean Court of Justice wrapped up a two-day hearing in a legal battle between the Government of Belize and four private liquified petroleum gas (LPG) companies. The government is challenging a 2024 Court of Appeal decision that found it violated the companies’ constitutional rights to work and property by preventing them from importing LPG into Belize. This dispute stems from a 2019 law that established National Gas Company Limited as the sole importer of LPG in the country. Senior counsels Eamon Courtenay, Edward Fitzgerald, Angeline Welch, and King’s Counsel Andrew Marshalleck represented the appellants. On the other side, Senior Counsels Godfrey Smith and Douglas Mendes appeared for the LPG companies. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Over two days, the Caribbean Court of Justice listened to ten hours of arguments in the legal dispute between the Government of Belize and four private liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) companies. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay kicked things off, making the first submissions on behalf of the Attorney General of Belize.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law

“There is an insinuation that government was acting on bad faith and ill will in seeking to put the respondents out of business. That is not so, the amendment act is a clear piece of evidence that the government was not intending to put them out of business. The government was intending to move the supply of LPG from road to sea that advance the purpose.”

In the early stages of the legal battle, when the four companies were up in arms over NGC’s operations, Parliament stepped in and amended the National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Project Act.

Eamon Courtenay

“The government leveled the playing field on the importation side and provided the right for someone to apply for a license to import LPG through an approved facility.”

However, the law only approves facilities with a storage capacity of one point five million gallons. The LPG companies argue that this requirement isn’t economically feasible for them. Attorney Douglas Mendes, representing his clients, claimed that while there’s an option for these companies to import through NGC’s facility, it’s just a pretense.

Douglas Mendez, Attorney-At-Law

“By imposing impossible or commercial unviable conditions on entering the market you in effect maintain the monopoly. That is the point, because the monopoly still exists, because you have on the face of it, it is written in the act that you are permitted entry, but you really can’t because it is financially prohibitive as the evidence states to build the one point five million dollars plant and it would not may any sense to have us import through the NGC terminal when that relationship is totally unregulated.”

When the National Gas Company Limited was established, a decision was taken to import LPG exclusively by sea from the U.S to the company’s port facility. This brought an end to the trucking system that the private companies had in place. Attorney for the appellants, Senior Counsel Angeline Welch, argued that this approach decreases the risk supply shortages, provides for cheaper gas, and places the supply chain in the hands of Belizeans.

Angeline Welch, Attorney-At-Law

“The LPG was shipped to ports in Guatemala and Honduras and El Salvador, and it was trucked into Belize. By the time it was trucked into Belize the end costumer in Belize was Mount Belview price and the cost of those terminals and the transportation and any profit arrangements. The supply chain was operated and controlled by sister companies of the LPG companies. So those cost for the terminal and transportation and any other profit that was made was for that oligarchy which existed before the legislation.”

But the attorney for the four companies, Godfrey Smith, argues that the move violates his clients’ right to work.

Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law

“The right is hindered. It is fettered. What the constitution guarantees to the respondents is that you have an unfettered, unhindered right to engage in a business or trade that you freely choose. So that they freely choose importation. At the end of the day we have lost wholesale business, forty-five percent of that. And that is an aspect of the business that you have a right to freely engage in.”

After a long nine-hour hearing, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay wrapped up his remarks to the court by addressing Mendes’ claim that the new law is just for show.

Eamon Courtenay

“Mr. Mendez took the liberty of alleging that the act and amendment was a pretense by the government to fake the fact that it was opening the market. A simple read of the legislation will show that it was the intention of the government to liberate the market on the conditions set out there. There is absolutely no basis to support the allegation, and I urge this court to reject it out of hand.”

In his closing statement, Mendes requested that the court consider the playing field is leveled.

Douglas Mendes

“Has the legislation treated the respondents and NGC in an even-handed manner? That is basically what I am asking. You have to look at what are the attributes relative to meeting the requirements of a one point five-million-gallon storage plant. What are the comparable circumstances relative to that requirement and the answer is they have all the benefits.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

NGC Monopoly Necessary for Financial Sustainability of Project?

As you might remember, in 2021, the government amended the National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Project Act to let other companies import LPG. This change came after the act was initially passed under the former U.D.P. administration. However, the amendment required private companies wanting to import LPG to build an import facility with a storage capacity of one point five million U.S. gallons. CCJ Judge, Justice Peter Jamadar, sought clarity on why such a requirement was necessary. Here’s a snippet of the exchange between Justice Jamadar and Eamon Courtenay.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law

“The difficulty with two hundred and three hundred and a fifteen-thousand-gallon facility is that trucks come in everyday across the border. Everyday permits are applied for, and trucks are coming in over and over and over. One point five million dollars is essential for this project to be successful.”

Justice Peter Jamadar, CCJ Judge

“So the one point five was deemed sufficient to meet your security, supply, your cost analysis, what if a smaller operator said ok you are taking care of Belize, this is enough to meet your needs, I want to do a three hundred, that is adding on to your one point five, I want to be a smaller operator. Why is that problematic if you have already covered with your government?”

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law

“One point five is not sufficient it is what will allow the project to work. The country is actually using in excess of fourteen million gallons.”

Justice Peter Jamadar

“So having additional facilities is desirable.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Fourteen million which is roughly one million per month, the need to go through the facility is one point one. If we say somebody can bring in three hundred then one point one will not go through the facility.”

Justice Peter Jamadar

“So you needed to create a monopoly get one point one to make that project a success and anybody who threatened that minimum threshold had to be excluded.”

We will continue to follow the hearing on Wednesday.

U.S Fugitive Found Hiding in Placencia to Be Handed Over

A man wanted by U.S. law enforcement was found hiding out in southern Belize, specifically in Placencia. Gregory Roth, also known as “Chris,” was wanted by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in Texas on eleven counts of possession of child pornography. Suspecting Roth was in Belize, the United States Embassy issued an appeal for information on his whereabouts and offered a reward for his capture. Roth was reportedly traveling and living in an RV. Today, Commissioner Williams announced that local authorities are in the process of handing him over to the U.S. government.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The police in Placencia in conjunction with serious some of our specialized units, worked to be able to locate and secure the detention of a fugitive was wanted in the U.S. He is in police custody, I believe, and should be taken out of the country very shortly, if not yet taken out again. We worked with our U.S. counterparts as we do with other countries to be able to help them to secure persons who may be hiding in beliefs that are wanted by the different police organizations and across the world.”

Families of Tourists Who Died Mysteriously Want Answers

Today, Commissioner Williams announced that the toxicology report for the mysterious deaths of three American tourists in their hotel room over a month ago is still pending. The families of the three women who died at the Royal Kahal Resort in San Pedro have issued a statement expressing their belief that the deaths are suspicious. They are growing increasingly concerned about the delay in receiving the toxicology results from Belize. Williams confirmed that the results are still pending.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We had said about a month. I don’t know if a month is up yet, but we had given a timeline of within a month’s time to get the toxicology report. Remember, we’re not the ones who are performing the test. The test is done by a lab in the US and certainly a lab in the US do has their commitments as well. We have paid for the services to be expedited, so we paid for the quickest way, but even though we paid for the quickest way, I guess due to the volume of work that they have, they have not been able to do it. I am sure that once the result is received. Mr. Cho will be more than happy to share that with us, and also with you the media so that we have a clear and definitive cause of death as it relates to those three women. I was the one who communicated with the family initially and since then I have not done so, but I don’t know if B.T.B. is in communication with them because I know that they had created some link between them and the B.T.B. that would keep them up to date as well as the U.S. Embassy. The police would also keep them up to date in terms of what has been done.”

Marion Ali

“If I could follow up on that same topic, it was the Fire Department that conducted the carbon monoxide test…”

Chester Williams

“And the Department of Environment.”

Marion Ali

“Right, so my question is, did the police secure the area before or in time, so that the hotel could not have gone ahead and contaminated or gotten their own team to go in and test because they were saying that there was no trace of…”

Chester Williams

“There are certain protocols that needed to have been observed before the test was done. Those protocols were observed.”

Deafening Defeat and Controversy Over Compensation

The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims kicked off on Friday with fourteen nations vying for the last seven spots in the tournament. Belize, ranked twenty-fifth on the CONCACAF Index, faced off against fifth-ranked Costa Rica in front of a packed FFB Stadium. Unfortunately, we took a heavy loss. But there’s a silver lining – many young players got their chance to shine on Friday night since most of the star players were no-shows. Head Coach Charles Slusher revealed that these key players deserted the team at the last minute. News Five’s Paul Lopez was at the game and filed this report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Friday night, a sold-out crowd inside the FFB Stadium witnessed Belize’s Senior Men’s National Team get demolished by Costa Rica’s National Team. The organizers had announced that tickets for the Gold Cup Preliminary match were sold out and that none would be available at the gate. But come 8 p.m., game time, hundreds of frustrated fans with tickets in hand were still lined up at the entrance gate, waiting to get in. They were agitated by the fact that only one gate was being used, leading to a slow turnaround time.

Football Fan #1

“This nuh make sense, it is ridiculous. We bought tickets two weeks before the game and now we can’t get in. Watch this crowd here, it is totally disorganized and the game the look to start, national anthem done the play.”

Football Fan #2

“If you guh stand up there you might do a better job than the lack of Police. Chester just get f***ing removed and deh the look to embarrass Rosado.”

The stadium was buzzing with police officers, and word is that only 2,700 tickets were printed for sale, just shy of the stadium’s capacity. Yet, many fans had to stand and watch the entire match. Costa Rica’s Manfred Ugalde, who plays in the Russian Premier League, scored his team’s first goal in the seventh minute. Ugalde struck again in the thirty-sixth minute with a penalty kick, securing the second goal. Only two minutes later Colombian Premier League player Juan Vargas scored Costa Rica’s third and final goal for the first half. Costa Rica came back in the second half and scored four additional goals. After the game, Head Coach Miguel Herrera, who previously coached Mexico to a World Cup and a Gold Cup title, shared his thoughts on the match.

Miguel Herrera, Head Coach, Costa Rica

“It is the rival team that we needed to confront. If we wanted to have a superior win, we needed to show it on the field. And the players did that. They controlled the ball well. We dominated the game. When you know on paper that you can beat your rival, you need to show it on the field and that is what the guys did.”

The press conference with Belize’s Head Coach Charles Slusher revealed a lot. Slusher revealed that at the eleventh hour most of his key players decided not to play Friday night’s match.

Charles Slusher, Head Coach, Belize National Selection

“The result is expected if you don’t play organized football, and you can’t play organized football if at the last moment before the game you have to find new players to be in a situation. When these guys at the last minute decided not to be there, they hurt the country, they don’t only hurt me, they hurt the entire, for whatever reason. I could tell you categorically if I had the team, we had we could have won the game tonight.”

Regular national team stars like Woodrow West, Charles Tillett and Jordy Polanco were missing in action. According to Head Coach Slusher, these and several other players decided to sit out because they felt they weren’t being fairly compensated for training and playing in the match.

Charles Slusher

“If you guys know the history, before every game there is a controversy over money and everything else. I am always encouraged; I will always fight for my players to get their reward and just. Some of the players could have performed tonight and get an opportunity to get a big contract over the world and make the same money that you say you are not making here at the national team.”

After the defeat, Michael Salazar posted a single word on Facebook: ‘SAD.’ When a fan asked why he wasn’t playing, he replied, ‘Home watching, just being a fan now. Can’t do anything.’ With the seasoned players out, younger and less experienced players had to step up, including fifteen-year-old Marlon Meza.

Marlon Meza, Player, Belize National Selection

“Of course this loss hurts a lot because we are in our hometown. But for me we did our best, we fought for our country, and it just continued hard work from here.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Fugitive Wanted for Child Pornography Arrested in Belize

An American fugitive, wanted by U.S. Marshals for possession of child pornography, was arrested earlier today in Placencia. Gregory Roth, also known as Chris, is wanted by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in Texas on eleven counts of possession of child pornography. Believing Roth was in Belize, the United States Embassy issued an appeal for information on his whereabouts and offered a reward for his capture. Roth was reportedly traveling and living in an RV.

Paving the Way for a Resilient Future in the Caribbean

With geopolitical tensions heating up between the United States and various countries worldwide, the Caribbean region is figuring out how to adapt to the shifting economic scene. Since the Trump administration took office earlier this year, the US has put a hold on funding for international environmental sustainability projects, putting many vulnerable nations at risk. Today, the Caribbean Development Bank held its annual news conference to unveil a new strategic plan aimed at bridging some of the gaps left by the US and supporting Caribbean nations on their path to a resilient future. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the University of the West Indies in Barbados this morning to cover the event.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Every year, tourism remains one of the largest contributors to economic growth in the Caribbean region, but the industry is at risk as the geopolitical landscape around the world begins to change.

Countries like the US have started cutting back on funding for environmental sustainability projects, which means nations like Belize, that depend heavily on their natural resources, need to look elsewhere for financial support. That’s why the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is stepping up, committing to another year of backing climate resilience projects throughout the region.

Daniel Best, President, C.D.B.

“As we look forward to the future with all its uncertainties, but more so, its opportunities. I can think of no other word that encapsulates my vision for the bank than rebirth. Rebirth signals the bank’s renewed focus on delivering excellence to the people of this region. We will practice excellence in each stage of every process, whether we are providing policy advice, appraising and implementing projects in our countries, or formulating country engagement strategies. As we support our Caribbean in the march towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, excellence will be our hallmark.”

Best explains that this new chapter for the bank will be guided by the theme “Rebirth: Innovate, Transform, and Thrive for a Resilient Future.” Over the past year, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has funded several projects to enhance infrastructure and education in Belize. In February, the CDB supported the Development Finance Corporation in launching a consolidated line of credit to provide Belizeans with loans for education, renewable energy projects, and small to medium-sized businesses. Director of Projects, O’Reilly Lewis, highlights that thanks to initiatives like coastal protection projects across the region, the bank has seen the second highest levels of disbursements and approvals in the last decade.

O’Reilly Lewis, Director of Projects, C.D.B.

“Belize has been one of our stronger performing countries in terms of implementation and we are working to continue to build that. The other project I spoke to was the DFC, the Development Finance Corporation in Belize, which we are a traditional financer of, and who, and they themselves credit us with helping them exist, being in existence and being such a impactful company. We approved, I think it was a twenty million loan with them last year, to deal with the MSMEs in agriculture, renewable energy projects, student loans. So all aspects of. So though that loan will impact several layers of the, of life in Belize in a positive way.”

In 2024, Belize faced one of its longest dry seasons ever, resulting in the loss of thousands of acres of farmland and forest reserves to wildfires. Environmental Sustainability Division Chief, Valerie Isaac, assures that the bank is actively working to mitigate future risks of such natural disasters.

Valerie Isaac, Division Chief, Environmental Sustainability, C.D.B.

“One of the interventions that we have planned. I’m not sure the top of my head, the scope, meaning the regions in Belize, it was covered with early warning system. So early warning system there for flood risk, multi-hazard warning system. And that is one of the things that are being considered.”

According to Lewis, the CDB and the Government of Belize are already working towards implementing the next phase of several projects this year.

O’Reilly Lewis

“We will be in Belize the first week of April, doing what we call a portfolio review, where we look at the current portfolio of projects with the government with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Education and all of the other nine ministries, Ministry of Environment, and we will have also have discussions about where their priorities are and how they would see us as partnering with them to help solve some of those developing challenges.”

As trade relations remain unclear, the CDB encourages CARICOM members to diversify their markets and reduce their dependency on tourism.

Daniel Best

“We will work with our membership to support the birth of a new, dynamic, diverse, internationally competitive private sector. A region where every citizen lives free from the fear of violence, the sustainable development of Haiti and the economic and social upliftment of its people, trade facilitation and interconnectivity through regional cooperation and integration and gender equality and diversity, equity and inclusion across all strata of Caribbean life.”

The region’s debt level has gone up by 3.3 percent due to a higher need for borrowing. However, there’s a silver lining: the debt to GDP ratio has dropped by 5.7 percent. In 2024, Belize was one of five countries to get an upgrade to their sovereign credit rating. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Trinidad and Tobago to Hold General Elections on April 28, 2025

Prime Minister Stuart Young has announced that Trinidad and Tobago will hold its next general elections on April 28, 2025. The announcement follows his official request to President Christine Kangaloo to dissolve Parliament, effective midnight on Tuesday, in accordance with Section 68 of the Constitution.

With the dissolution of Parliament, the country now enters full election mode. According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Nomination Day is set for April 4, 2025, giving political parties and candidates a formal deadline to submit their candidacies.

As previously reported, Young was officially sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago’s new Prime Minister on Monday, succeeding Dr. Keith Rowley after his two-term tenure.

Young, formerly the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, has outlined a vision focused on youth empowerment, economic diversification, national unity, and sustainable development. He aims to expand sectors like tourism, agriculture, and technology while promoting inclusivity.

The Impending Trade War and its Possible Effects on Belize

On Tuesday, we told you about the sweeping tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump on goods coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico and an increase on previous duties levied on China. The twenty-five percent tariffs were followed by prompt retaliation from the neighboring countries and China. The impending trade war may have detrimental impacts on smaller countries that depend on the United States for goods. In tonight’s edition of the Five-Point-Breakdown, we take a closer look at what led to the implementation of these tariffs and what possible impacts they may have on Belize. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Countries around the world are bracing for what many call an international trade war. A trade war is an economic conflict between countries that typically arises when one retaliates against unfair trading methods. On March fourth, President Donald Trump imposed a twenty-five percent tax on goods from Canada and Mexico, and an extra ten percent tax on Chinese goods, these taxes are otherwise known as tariffs, and their implementation has resulted in international uproar and unease as countries formulate a response plan. But why did President Trump impose these tariffs? He says it’s to pressure governments to crack down on the illegal trade of fentanyl, a drug that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.

Trump Imposes Heavy Tariffs on Trade Partners

Donald Trump, President, U.S.A.

“Just so you understand, vast amounts of fentanyl have poured into our country from Mexico. And as you know, also from China where it goes to Mexico and also Canada. No room left for Mexico not for Canada. The tariffs, they’re all set. They go into effect tomorrow.”

In response to these tariffs, Canada, Mexico, and China quickly hit back with strong tariff packages on U.S. goods. Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have labeled Trump’s actions as “unjustifiable” and see them as the first step towards a trade war.

Canada, Mexico & China React to US Tariffs

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexican President

“It is by no means our purpose to start an economic or trade confrontation, which is unfortunately and regrettably, is the opposite of what we should be doing. That is integrating our economies more to strengthen our region.”

While Sheinbaum voiced her disappointment in Trump’s actions, Trudeau announced plans to retaliate. He argued that the tariffs are unnecessary since less than one percent of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Canada.

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister

“Canada will be implementing twenty-five percent tariffs against a hundred and fifteen billion dollars’ worth of American goods.”

Trump has also threatened to impose similar tariffs on European countries. These tariffs are not just about curbing illicit drug trade. The Trump administration also wants to boost the economy by bringing manufacturing back to America. However, this move could hurt the economy in the short term, with rising costs of goods and falling stocks on the global market. Prime Minister John Briceno says Belize plans to strengthen its resilience as North America deals with the fallout.

How Will Belize Avoid the Fallout of a Trade War?

Prime Minister John Briceño

“What we have to do is then to try to see that maybe start to look at other areas to import from. Most of imports come from the United States. And what I’m sure that Mr. Trump understands is that when he raised tariffs, the tariffs is not the country that’s selling the product pays it. It falls on the consumer. On their consumers so that the prices of imports from China into the United States will probably go up. So that maybe we need to look at maybe import from Mexico or other countries or even Canada as opposed to from the United States. Right? But that’s not a decision that we will make as a government. The private sector, they’re nimble. They’re going to refining and scouting out where they could get things that are going to be cheaper.”

Briceño says Belize will do its best to stay out of the line of fire. However, economist Dr. Leroy Almendarez points out that Belize needs to consider the bigger picture. He explains that smaller countries relying on American imports might not have enough time to adjust to the price spikes, which will affect various industries.

Possible Impacts of a Trade War on Belize

Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economist

“The impact is far reaching. I mean, when you really, I looked at and I just look at just quickly at 2022, we imported over six hundred million. We exported about eighty-six million. So, what’s the what’s the trade inbalance that exists there? It simply tells you that we are very import dependent and in agriculture, let’s take agriculture. We might have final products but what about the inputs? If we import inputs like fertilizer, whatever it is from the United States, and those prices are marked up, then what happens to our agricultural products? The cost of production will go up. The cost of consumption in Belize will also go up if it’s for domestic consumption, if people really consume it locally. But what about exporting it? It drives up the cost of production, which simply means now it will cost you more to produce a unit of a product, so you’ll produce less.”

Almendarez suggests boosting Belize’s manufacturing capabilities and diversifying trade relations with Central America and CARICOM to counter the tariff impacts. We also ran a non-scientific poll on social media to see how Belizeans feel the impending trade war will affect the country.

Are Belizeans Concerned About an Impending Trade War?

The majority of participants— forty-nine percent of the one thousand, thirty-nine voters, expect a strong negative impact, while thirty-one percent foresee a disastrous outcome. They predict higher prices for goods, suffering exports, and struggling trade-dependent industries. Eight percent think the outcome will be somewhat bad, seven percent believe it won’t be bad at all, and five percent are optimistic, suggesting the tariffs might open up more trade opportunities between the U.S. and Belize. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Hague Group Withdrawal Inconsequential for ICJ Case

Last week, Prime Minister John Briceño hinted that Belize might be stepping away from the Hague Group. This coalition, formed on January thirty-first, 2025, aims to support the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. While P.M. Briceño didn’t confirm the withdrawal, he stressed Belize’s ongoing support for Palestine. Today, Eamon Courtenay, a top legal expert and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was asked if this move could curry favor with the International Court of Justice in our border dispute.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney at Law

“I don’t believe there will be any evidence before the ICJ as to who is in the Hague Group and who is not in the Hague Group. I don’t think membership or non-membership should give rise to any legal issue. If membership of a group like the Hague Group influences judges, then in my opinion they are not independent. So, I do not believe there will be any deleterious effect, whether or not we are a member of the Hague Group.”

Reporter

“Do you think that leaving the Hague Group would be advisable in light of the fact that the U.S. is staunchly pro-Israeli at this time?”

Eamon Courtenay

“I would say that every country in the world, particularly those in this side of the world, Belize is undergoing a review of its foreign policy in relation to changes not only in the U.S., but changes in the Europe as well. I know the Foreign Minister is actively looking at different aspects and issues, the position of Belize. He and I have spoken about it from time to time, so I know that the ministry is deeply looking at analyzing the position. All I will say, and I will say no more about this.”