The United Democratic Party is planning a unity meeting on June fourteenth, but there’s already controversy brewing. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton says she wasn’t invited, and she’s not the only one. According to her, several other parliamentarians were also left out. “If this is supposed to be about unity, then why are key voices being shut out?” she asked. With the party struggling to rebuild and bring people together, this move raises serious questions about its direction. We spoke with Panton to find out what this could mean for the future of the UDP.
Tracy Taegar Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“I do understand that a meeting has been scheduled for the fourteenth of June. It is being promoted as a meeting that seeks to reset and unify the party. It is anything but that. There are at least fifteen caretakers, elected representatives of this party along with their executive committees who have been excluded, have not been invited to attend this meeting and if we are going to reset and unite the political organization then we need all hands od deck, to hear from all persons. Some of what has been said or what has to be heard, may not be easy. But that is the place to trash it out. It is not in the public domain. It should not be in the public domain. It should be in spaces where we can work together to find the solution that ultimately serve the people. We are exploring the legal remedies that may be available to us on the matter of the NPC but it is unfortunate that we would have to go that route to have an internal discussion.”
Today, teachers across Belize once again marched through the streets, sending a clear message to the government: they’re not backing down in their fight for fair wages. The protest is part of a larger movement that began in April, when the Belize National Teachers’ Union, along with the Public Service Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, called for an eight-point-five percent salary increase for public officers and educators. But the government turned down the request, arguing that the country’s wage bill is already too high. Still, the unions aren’t giving up. They say this is about standing up for what’s right and they’re determined to keep pushing until their voices are heard. In tonight’s Five-Point Breakdown, we’ll take a closer look at what’s fueling the unions’ frustration and why they believe now is the time for action. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the full story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The fight is far from over. For nearly two months, the Public Service Union of Belize, the Belize National Teachers’ Union, and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers have been united in their demand for an 8.5% salary increase for public officers and teachers. From peaceful protests and organized sickouts to bold road blockades, the unions have shown they’re willing to take their fight to the streets, and they’re not backing down. According to Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union, this isn’t just about numbers on a paycheck. It’s about fairness, dignity, and long-overdue recognition for the people who keep the country running.
Workers Demand Fairer Wages
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“ The government came to us in 2020. We acceded an increment. We also gave up on some allowances because several officers were impacted where the allowances were concerned, where the gratuities was concerned and so on. In 2021 when the Briceno administration took over in November of 2020 when there was election, they also came to us and they said, you know what we need to do? We need to take some additional last thirty measures. Okay, that now included not only, the continued freezing of increments, but they also went one step further to say, we need to also cut your salaries. And so they introduced a ten percent cut.”
The government offered a 3% raise in response to union demands for fairer wages, but unions quickly rejected it, calling for a more serious commitment. Their frustration grew after it was revealed that government CEOs and the Cabinet Secretary received a 15% salary increase, boosting their pay from $76,000 to $88,000 a year. Nadia Caliz, President of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, said that raise was a tipping point, one that made it clear teachers and public officers could no longer stay silent.
What Triggered The Unions’ Call To Action
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“And when are telling me and this country that our teachers are holding the students hostage, you have been holding these students hostage. You have not provided what you needed to provide for them. You have not provided what you needed to provide for them. Where we applaud the fact that some of them can now get a meal and buying. Teachers no longer have to take out their pocket to give them that, my teachers are suffering because they have been doing a part of your responsibility as a government providing those resources, preparing those schools, and all of those things. So, we, at the BNTU, we don’t take that lightly, and I’ll show you another thing. You are willing to give up millions with the Key Chapel Project. Millions”
Healthcare workers at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital are joining the call for fair treatment. The KHMHA Workers Union, led by President Andrew Baird, is demanding that the government provide pensions for eligible employees, specifically those hired since 2000, who were promised benefits that never materialized. While a retirement package was introduced in 2017 for new hires, long-serving staff were left out. Baird says it’s time for equal consideration, especially given the daily financial struggles many healthcare workers face.
Employees Pay Out of Pocket to Do Their Jobs
Andrew Baird
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHA Workers Union
“What you’re not hearing from many nurses or doctors when there’s a shortage of supplies and equipment in KHMH, we take money out of our pocket as well to buy tapes, we have to buy our own stethoscopes, our own blood pressure equipment and the list goes on. Sometimes doctors have to bring their own operating kits to the institution because Karl Heusner does not have any, but we do not base our plight ongoing into our pocket. We are basing our plight on what we deserve and what should be rightfully us, but we do make those sacrifices.”
The Government of Belize recently partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank to review and modernize how public service workers are paid. The 2024 draft report, led by Senior Consultant Malcolm Green, flagged major issues in how employment and payroll are managed. The report urges the government to reform salary and pension systems to ensure fair pay, while also recommending better budgeting and control to manage employment costs effectively.
Government Advised to Make Equitable Pay a Reality
Dean Flowers
“The issue here is not, may not necessarily be that we don’t have money, but we have a spending problem. We have an unchecked spending problem, we have an accountability problem. We’re not giving proper accounts of how we’re spending. We’re not giving proper, proper account of how we are giving away concessions. Are we quantifying those concessions and really appreciating the dollar value that we’re losing as a result of those concessions versus the investment that is being made.”
The negotiation between the unions and the government is ongoing. They have made it clear that until they feel that they have been fairly compensated for the services they provide, the government will hear their cries.
Unions Tell Government To “Get It Right”
Nadia Caliz
“Every single where somebody stop you and give you their story. What is happening in the workplace, and most of these are government entities and I didn’t realize so many people were suffering in this country. So many and you know, they just need to get it right.”
According to Prime Minister John Briceño, Belize’s current national wage bill, stands at around seven hundred million dollars, accounting for nearly fifty cents of every dollar in the national budget. Britney Gordon for News Five.
It’s a new chapter for Belize’s National Assembly as parliamentarians, both fresh faces and seasoned lawmakers, gather for a three-day Post-Election Seminar. Hosted by the National Assembly and led by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and ParlAmericas, the event is all about sharpening the tools of democracy. From mastering parliamentary procedures to tackling modern challenges like social media’s influence, it’s a crash course in better governance. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Parliamentarians stepped out of the National Assembly and into a more relaxed setting at Kiki Witz for a three-day training seminar. The goal? To sharpen their skills and better serve the people of Belize. Led by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the sessions offer a chance to share experiences, tackle challenges, and learn how to shape stronger policies for the country.
Jack Hardcastle
Jack Hardcastle, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
“The post-election seminar is a program that we at the CPA offer to all our members and it is typically delivered in the short period after a general election. So, we were brought here on invitation by the National Assembly and will be delivering sessions to both members of the House of Representatives and Senators. It is open to both newly elected members as well as those more experienced returning members as well.”
President of the Senate, Carolyn Trench-Sandiford is among the participants. She knows all too well about the important work of parliament, and especially parliamentary behavior.
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, President, Senate
“There are parliaments which if you would review the tapes, have become very much out of order. I have seen parliaments where people are juping over the chairs and attacking. Of recent in the Caribbean one of the parliamentarians threw an item at a presiding officer. They had to take them out. We have not reached there. There is the apparent political partisanship with parliament. But within the Senate, I want to say that unlike the lower house, in the upper house we do have the contribution of what we call our social partners. They bring diverse, specific interest conversations to the dialogue, which makes Belize very unique.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Belize’s first-ever female Leader of the Opposition, made history just by showing up, and she was front and center on day one of the seminar. Her new role marks a major milestone for women in Belizean politics. While most people only see parliamentarians in action during House and Senate meetings, Panton says the real work happens behind the scenes, when the cameras are off and the tough conversations begin.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“I believe our work in the House committees, the standing committees of both the upper and lower house, that is where we trash things out. That is where the stakeholders group engage with their parliament. Recently I was in a meeting examining the families bill. It took ten hours, but it was important. That ten hours was time well spent. But we were able to hear from the persons that piece of legislation meant to be a beneficiary for. We heard from them what makes sense and what does not serve them.”
Fort George Area Representative and Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher is also a member of parliament. But, despite his experience, he says that there remains room for growth.
Henry Charles-Usher
Henry Charles-Usher, Parliamentarian
“So it is important for new and returning parliamentarians to benefit from some of these sessions. It is a three day course going through different aspects when it comes to representation, standing orders and being a representative of the people. I am here both as the minister of public service and as the parliamentary whip for the government side. I thought it was important for me to be here and stay for a few of the sessions.”
The seminar will be concluded on Wednesday. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
On Tuesday, Ambassador Alexis Rosado stood before the Belmopan High Court, formally arraigned on serious charges: one count of rape, one count of sexual assault, and aggravated assault. The allegations are deeply disturbing; Rosado is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a female complainant from the time she was just thirteen years old, continuing until she was twenty-seven. Rosado, once one of Belize’s most respected diplomats, also holds a critical role as Belize’s co-agent in the ongoing territorial case against Guatemala at the International Court of Justice. And despite the gravity of the charges, the government has made the controversial decision to keep him on that case. The decision has raised serious questions about accountability, justice, and the message it sends, both at home and on the international stage. Rosado remains on bail and is expected back in court on June twenty-fourth for case management. The trial will be held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Obviously, I’m not in a position to comment on the case, the criminal case before the court. What I can say is that a decision was taken several years ago to keep Mr. Rosado. In his capacity as a co-agent on the ICJ team, along with, of course, ambassador Assad Shoman. And I think the justification for that, the rationale for that was that he had been involved with this process for a very long time. He had a lot of knowledge and experience of engagement with the ICJ process. We were at a critical juncture. We are at a critical juncture in terms of that. The progress of that case before the court International Court of Justice. And the feeling of the government is that we should allow him to continue to serve along with Ambassador Shoman in advancing that work.”
Alexis Rosado
Reporter
“Along those lines and looking at that work how soon can we expect to hear any developments with regard to our case?”
Francis Fonseca
“As the both Belize and Guatemala have made their written submissions to report. So that has been completed. That has been done now for almost a year. What we are doing now is waiting really, with and see mode for the court to set a date for the oral hearings. The oral hearings. And we have to wait until they set a date for that. The court, there’s been a backlog of cases. There have been election of new judges, so there has been a delay caused by their own administrative inner workings of the court. We’re hopeful that we’re very hopeful that a date can be sent. Hopefully we get that date sometime this year or next year early next year. We get that date. And then of course, once the oral hearings have been have been made then of course we then await the judgment of the court.”
June fourth marks a key moment in the Trump administration’s global tariff standoff. Earlier this week, the U.S. gave dozens of countries a deadline—submit your best trade deal offer by today, or risk facing tariffs. But Belize is in the clear. Andy Sutherland, Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Belize isn’t affected by this deadline. He explained that CARICOM countries, including Belize, are in ongoing talks with the U.S. to bring back the Caribbean Basin Initiative, a program that allows duty-free access to U.S. markets.
On the Phone: Andy Sutherland, Director General, Foreign Trade
“That ninety-day time frame does not apply to Belize because we are not in active negotiation with the U.S. for a trade agreement that would redefine the tariff structures which the U.S. and any other country. But we are engaged through the diplomatic channels or embassy in Washington D.C. are reaching out to the U.S. DR on reinstating the benefits under the CBI. All the beneficiary countries under the CBI does not maintain a trade surplus with the U.S. and not in any way infringing on the competitive position of U.S. companies and industries. We are also forging with CARICOM and various institutions, the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors to make the pitch of U.S. reinstating the benefits of the CBI to the Caribbean region.”
So while the pressure is on for many nations, Belize is still in the game, working behind the scenes for a better deal.
September might still be months away, but the excitement for Belize’s 44th Independence anniversary is already building. This afternoon, the National Celebrations Commission officially revealed this year’s patriotic theme at a lively ceremony held at the Belize House of Culture. The winning theme? “Stronger Together, Rising Forever.” And for the first time, two individuals share the spotlight as co-winners. Their powerful message was chosen from hundreds of entries submitted by proud Belizeans across the country. We caught up with the two men behind the theme to learn more about their inspiration and what this message means for Belize as the nation prepares to celebrate another year of independence.
David Pena
David Pena, Winner
“I was seeing how together as the Belizeans, we can be stronger, as the theme says stronger together, and we can rise together as Belize.”
Reporter
“Is this is the first time you’ve entered the competition?”
David Pena
“No, I entered last year also, and then I got inspired by my parents this year.”
Reporter
“So how did it make you feel to know when you finally won?”
David Pena
“Actually when I reached from college after school, myy parents told me I have something to tell you. And I was worried like, if I do something bad, and then they told me how I win and then I said, I can’t believe it. And and I cried to then they showed me the picture where I was invited to right here.”
Holly Vasquez
Holly Vasquez, Winner
“It was my first time entering the competition and I’m a person into the international pride, and I was sitting and pondering upon the team and I said, what a fitting team for this year. Belize at forty-four, stronger together, rising forever. Belize has been through a lot of economic hardship. We went through the pandemic and we managed to rise above it, so it was just fitting that I put that team together and it was selected by me and Mr. David, and it came as a shock to me as well, that I was selected as one of the winner as well. So I’m grateful for it and it’s just fitting for this year’s theme.”
A routine police checkpoint turned violent on Tuesday night when gunfire broke out near Victoria Street in Belize City. The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m., just a few blocks from where officers were stationed on New Road.
According to ASP Stacy Smith, “An officer who was posted at the checkpoint located on New Road in Belize City reported that whilst on duty, he heard shots coming from the direction of Victoria Street to which he responded.”
The officer proceeded toward the sound of gunfire and encountered a man behaving suspiciously. When he ordered the man to stop, the situation quickly escalated. “He observed an individual who he saw in a suspicious manner and instructed him to stop and that person responded by firing shots at the officer,” ASP Smith explained. “The officer, in turn, returned shots in the direction of the individual.”
Police have since detained one man, identified as Clive Hendricks, in connection with the shooting. A firearm was also recovered as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police say that a 12-year-old girl was raped by her stepfather in Corozal.
The investigation began on May 29, when a woman and her daughter visited the Corozal Police Station to report a series of incidents involving the child’s stepfather. The girl disclosed that the abuse began in June 2019, when she was allegedly subjected to inappropriate touching and forced contact. She further reported that the abuse escalated to sexual intercourse later that year and occurred again on two separate occasions in 2025.
A medical examination was conducted following the report, and a medical officer confirmed that the minor had been carnally known.
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers’ Union (KHMHWU) is calling on the government to urgently address unresolved pension concerns affecting hundreds of employees.
According to the union president, Andrew Baird, workers have been in a “struggle” for nearly six years to secure pension benefits promised under the Karl Heusner Act.
He said this morning during Open Your Eyes that while a mandatory provident fund was introduced for new employees from January 1, 2018, workers employed between 2000 and 2017 were left without any pension or fund coverage.
“Those workers, according to the Karl Heusner Act, in Section Eight, it states that the workers at Karl Heusner are pensionable in accordance with the Pension Act. So our claim is for those services,” Baird stated.
He added that while some older staff opted into the voluntary fund, many did not and remain without any pension plan. Of the 1,700 KHMH employees, around 350 are union members, mostly senior staff affected by this gap.
“From day one, our position is that we want full pension, and we’ve always said that we are open to flexibility,” Baird said.
Vice President Dr Alain Gonzalez said these workers have received no compensation for years of service and that union leaders have repeatedly sent requests for meetings with the government but have gone unanswered.
“It seems like every time we want a meeting with the government, we have to go to a demonstration… We have communicated with the government three times, and they have lacked to communicate back to us; they haven’t returned our emails, and they haven’t come back to us. And so we are like, These people are not taking us serious, and so this is why we get to the point of demonstrating and doing the plan of action because we have to make sure we are being heard; our hospital is the number one referral hospital in the entire country, the only tertiary hospital,” Gonzalez stated.
Baird warned that further industrial action is possible, stating, “We do not want our plan of action to extend to where we have to send in 21 days notice of strike action, even to work slow.”
This standoff with the government is part of an even bigger wave of unrest, as the Public Service Union and the Belize National Teachers’ Union have also launched their own protests and industrial actions over the past few days.
Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher weighed in on the ongoing protest actions by teachers. He said there is need for open and respectful communication between the government and the unions.
Usher stated he supports the unions’ right to express themselves but stressed that dialogue should remain productive. “I believe that they are taking their every opportunity they can to express themselves, which is fine. I don’t have a problem with that,” he said. “But like I say, it’s important to always be discussing it in a productive and a respectful way. We don’t achieve much by just screaming at each other.”
The Minister echoed his preference for meaningful conversation, saying he believes in both sides “talk[ing] to each other, not at each other.” He acknowledged the unions are still awaiting a formal response to their rejection of the government’s latest proposal and confirmed that no official meeting date has been set yet. “I think what is more important is that we can have a reply sent to the unions and then we schedule a meeting for when we can discuss, um, you know, that reply and the response that we receive,” Usher explained.
He noted that despite current tensions, the government is moving ahead with other aspects of negotiations. A meeting is tentatively set for June 18th to discuss and potentially sign a framework for a new round of the collective bargaining agreement. “That’s going to be a whole different set of negotiations and discussions when it comes to what the unions are proposing,” he said.
