2025-06-18 - Greater Belize Media

Ethics Rift Emerges in Auditor General’s Office

There’s a shift happening inside the Auditor General’s Department and it’s all about ethics. According to Henry, many longtime auditors who were around more than a decade ago refused to sign on to the department’s code of ethics. Most of them have since moved on. But here’s the twist, newer employees have signed the code without fully understanding what they agreed to.

Gerald Henry, Public Officer

“The reason why we did not sign is because in addition to what we showed, there was an additional part where it speaks to discipline. That part was the dangerous part for us. That part said the office can discipline us at any time for any reason and we could be disciplined by the institute of chartered accountants which is a private body. So that is the reason why. That was added to the code of ethics from the international organization. If that was not there we would have signed, let me say it that way. We would have signed no problem at all.”

Reporter

“So the workers have signed on?”

Gerald Henry

“Yes because they don’t know better. They don’t know that it contains that part and how dangerous it is. They went to all lengths to have us sign this thing. We went to retreats, had parties and at the end of those events, oh we have the code of ethics we want you to sign. We remained steadfast that no matter how they brought it we said no. we maintained that it was a dangerous document to sign so we refused to sign.”

A review of an online copy of the code of ethics shows that disciplinary matters are coordinated by the Public Service Commission. We will continue to follow.

One Bus Company? Operators Pump the Brakes

The road to reform in public transportation just hit a speed bump. The Belizean Bus Association is pushing back hard against a bold new plan from Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who’s proposing a single, unified National Bus Company. But not everyone’s ready to hop on board. Bus operators say the idea sounds more like a fantasy than a feasible fix, and BBA President Thomas Shaw made that crystal clear in his comments earlier today. Here’s what he had to say.

Thomas Shaw, President, Belizean Bus Association

“First of all, they are saying no, due to the fact that it’s a concept and there is no final preparation. There is no legislation. Whatever he’s saying, what he wants the operators [to do] needs to be done. What needs to be done by the operators, but in reality if you’re serious about change, what the operators are looking at is that they have been in this industry for many, many years. Some have been in operation for over fifteen, twenty years and you didn’t ask the operators if they want to exit the business. You didn’t ask them if they want to sell their franchise. You’re telling them now that you’re going to open this company, we’re going to value your assets and if you want to join the company, you can put that back into shares. What the operators are looking at right now is that some operators only have one run, now if you buy into shares, you know, that goes by dividends. One of the big question is, “How will the dividends be shared? Will it be monthly, will it be annually, will it be quarterly? And these are some of the concerns with the operators. These are some of the concerns because one operator said, “You know, Minister, I had a dream and my dream was to pass on my legacy to my kids. Now, if this thing takes place, your dreams are shattered.”

Belize Cancer Society Setting New Goals to Fight Cancer

Fighting cancer takes more than medicine, it takes a plan, a purpose, and a passionate community. Today, the Belize Cancer Society held its annual general meeting, celebrating milestones and confronting the challenges of the past year. But the big news? The launch of a bold five-year plan aimed at boosting early diagnosis and building stronger international partnerships. President Kim Simplis-Barrow says it’s all about saving lives and strengthening support for those in the fight against cancer. Here’s more from today’s event.

Kim Simplis-Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society

“We really focused on what we have accomplished and where we want to go, which really ties into our strategic plan for the next five years. And one of the main focus that we want to do, is we really want to focus on prevention and healthy living. It’s so very important that we start targeting or looking at our younger generations and educating them on living healthier lives. We know that when you’re diagnosed with cancer at the early stage, we it’s easily treatable than when you’re diagnosed at that late stage. And so that. It is our focus. We, of course, want to continue our partnerships with the Government of Belize, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. We want to continue our partnerships with all our organizations that we work with, and of course with the community. It’s important that we continue to access not just local partnerships, but international partnerships. Why? Because with international partnerships, we get access to training. We get access to the equipment, we get access to helping our healthcare providers be more effective and efficient in diagnosing cancer and in, in the quickness of getting our cancer patients to care. We continue with our navigation objective, which the Cancer Society, of course, is in education institutions. We provide education. We provide a navigation process for cancer patients so that they, we all know that when we’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s overwhelming. And so whatever we can do to help a cancer patient navigate this process, it is part of our mission.”

PSU Protest Hits Phillip Goldson International Airport

Public Service Union members staged a bold protest outside the Philip Goldson International Airport this afternoon as it ramps up pressure on the Briceño administration amid a simmering trade dispute.

Wearing yellow and holding signs, union members gathered near Terminal One, just metres from where tourists entered the country. The protest quickly escalated after PSU President Dean Flowers was barred from entering the terminal and had his vehicle booted.

Flowers told the media: “I am here to pick up people who are coming in on that flight that just landed… How come, as a citizen, I cannot come pick up my people who are coming in?”

Police presence around the area was visibly increased.

“I was requested to do some office visits at the PGIA. I am carrying out my legal responsibility as president of this union,” Flowers said. “It is not my fault that the Briceño administration is afraid that the visitors of this country [are] informed of the oppressive administration that he’s administering.”

Union Senator Glenfield Dennison and First Vice President Annisa Gonzalez also condemned the heightened security response. “We don’t have freedom of speech anymore or freedom of congregating,” Gonzalez said.

Flowers confirmed that his vehicle was locked and faced a charge of $50 to unlock his vehicle.

This afternoon’s demonstration is part of the PSU’s protest against the government’s refusal to meet its full 8.5% salary adjustment demand.

Will Belizeans Pay More for Fuel Because of Israel-Iran War?

The ongoing war between Israel and Iran sparked the biggest single-day jump in oil prices in three years. Since early June, Brent crude prices surged about $10 per barrel, reaching $78 on Friday amid fears that the conflict could disrupt Iranian oil exports or restrict Middle East crude supplies globally.

Currently, prices have eased to around $72 per barrel, still below the $115 peak seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Market experts say future price moves depend largely on how much the military and humanitarian crisis escalates.

Deutsche Bank analysts warn that oil could spike to $120 per barrel if the conflict widens, especially if the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, is blocked, cutting off Middle Eastern oil exports. However, they consider this extreme and believe the market has already factored in some Iranian supply losses, likely keeping prices near $75.

Rystad Energy agrees, suggesting the US’s involvement could contain tensions and cap prices below $80 per barrel by maintaining regional calm.

Regarding Belize’s situation, Minister of State Christopher Coye addressed concerns about fuel prices not reflecting shifts in the world market. He explained, “I think in terms of fuel, there are shifts upwards and downwards and with respect to the fuel and the tax revenues from fuel that is adjusted, having regard to those changes in fuel prices. But at the same time the government does have to generate tax revenues to pay for all the expenses, including the proposed salary increase.”

Christopher Coye: “GOB Can Only Pay What It Can Afford.”

The Government of Belize is holding firm on its phased salary adjustment proposal, despite rejection from the Public Service Union and ongoing tensions over proposed pension reforms.

The PSU continues its demand of an immediate 8.5% salary increase, but the government insists such a move is financially unfeasible within the current fiscal year. Instead, it has offered a staggered increase over three years, an offer the unions have rejected.

According to Minister of State Christopher Coye, any revised proposal would depend on Cabinet’s decision but stressed that GOB “can only do what we can afford.”

“What is clear is that we can afford what was proposed in a second proposal,” Coye added.

Union members have also raised alarm over the proposed introduction of a 5% pension contribution for new public officers starting in October. Coye pushed back, stating, “There is no proposition that all existing public officers and teachers immediately have to pay a five percent contribution. That’s totally inaccurate.”

He added that the proposed pension reform is a gradual shift from a non-contributory to a contributory system, a model he says is standard across the region and long overdue for Belize.

“There is no non-contributory pension plan for public officers in the entirety of the Caribbean and Latin America. It’s a total anomaly that it continues to exist in Belize,” Coye said.

PSU Declares Trade Dispute, 21-Day Countdown to Strike Begins

The countdown has begun, and the tension is rising. During the Open Your Eyes morning show, president of the Public Service Union (PSU), Dean Flowers, confirmed that the union has officially declared a formal trade dispute with the Government of Belize, which has triggered a 21-day countdown to potential industrial action.

This includes nationwide strikes, even within essential services.

Labour Minister Florencio Marin Jr returned to Belize this week from a working trip to Geneva to face growing pressure from public officers. The dispute comes just days after PSU members marched through the streets of Belmopan to the Labour Office on June 9, demanding government action.

PSU President Dean Flowers confirmed the union has received acknowledgement of the dispute, stating that Minister Marin “has 21 days to do that, and within those 21 days, he is supposed to either identify a solution or set up a tribunal to bring the parties together.”

“After 21 days, the PSU and all its essential services and units attached to the public service union can engage in full-fledged industrial action, including strike action,” he added.

Those essential services include customs, immigration, the petroleum sector, financial services, civil aviation, and the fire department, among others.

Earlier this afternoon, the PSU members wore their yellow shirts to flood the entrance of the Philip Goldson International Airport as a form of industrial action. Flowers led the protest and held a poster saying, “Democracy dies in silence. We won’t be quiet.”

Missing Girl’s Family Pleads for Help

The family of Lissy Yamileth Suntecún Milian, a young girl who has been missing for three days, is making a heartfelt public appeal for information about her whereabouts. The child was last seen after leaving school in her village. Her relatives are now urging the public to help, while also clearing up rumors surrounding her identity.

As we have reported, the 13 year old Guatemalan went missing Monday afternoon from San Jose Roman Catholic School in western Belize. She was supposed to stay on campus for the school feeding program but told a friend her aunt would pick her up though her family says she has no aunt in the area. The school’s security cameras and warden reportedly saw no sign of her leaving. Lizzie crosses the border daily from Melchor to attend school.

Speaking during a live broadcast, Lissy’s brother clarified, “People are saying she left looking for her mother, but the truth is her mother is right here looking for her. My mom is Susi Yamileth Milian. She is her biological mother.”

He was joined by their aunt, who explained that the entire family, both in Belize and Guatemala is actively involved in the search. They also presented official documents confirming the familial relationship.

The aunt publicly appealed, “We’re here asking everyone watching to open their hearts. We are desperate to find Lissy. There are a lot of rumors, but we want to make it clear, her mother is searching for her. None of the family has the child. A relative who was under investigation has already said he doesn’t know anything. This is now a serious case.”

According to the family, Lipsy was last seen at school, and there have been no reliable leads since. There are also reports that she may have entered a pickup truck heading toward San Ignacio.

They are asking anyone with information to contact them confidentially at (502) 3344-7897 (a Guatemalan number).

“In today’s world, horrible things can happen. The more time that passes, the fewer the chances. But as they say hope is the last thing to die. We just want her back safe and alive. If anyone knows anything, please help us,” the aunt pleaded.

Zabaneh defiende plan para compañía nacional de autobuses

El sector del transporte público de Belize se prepara para cambios significativos. El ministro de Transporte, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, salió en defensa del plan de su cartera para establecer una compañía nacional de autobuses, programada para lanzarse en enero de 2026.

Aunque la Asociación de Dueños de Autobuses de Belize ha expresado fuertes preocupaciones sobre la iniciativa, Zabaneh sostiene que muchos operadores, particularmente en las regiones sur y oeste del país, han mostrado apoyo a la propuesta.

Actualmente, el ministerio está en proceso de evaluar activos y revisar los costos asociados al proyecto. No obstante, el financiamiento para la operación aún no ha sido confirmado.

El ministro enfatizó la necesidad de manejar la información con responsabilidad y transparencia. “Cuando hablé con el señor Shaw, le dije que no podíamos darles esa información hasta que hiciéramos la evaluación. Necesitamos los datos, la información, de lo contrario serían estimaciones. Si no es precisa, dirán que les dimos información incorrecta para engañarlos. Debemos hacerlo de la manera correcta. Denos el tiempo necesario para que los auditores hagan su trabajo y nos presenten los datos, y así podremos proporcionar información adecuada”, explicó Zabaneh.

El gobierno espera que esta iniciativa traiga orden y equidad a un sistema de transporte que, según usuarios y operadores, necesita una transformación urgente.

Operadores de autobuses piden equidad y orden en medio de propuestas de reforma

Mientras los operadores de autobuses buscan claridad sobre los beneficios de una posible compañía nacional de transporte, los pasajeros reclaman algo más básico: un mejor servicio. Desde la saturación de pasajeros hasta la conducción imprudente y la competencia peligrosa entre autobuses en las carreteras, la necesidad de cambio es urgente.

Uno de los operadores que se pronunció sobre la situación fue Joel Armstrong, de Armstrong Bus Line, justo después de reunirse con el ministro de Transporte, Dr Lious Zabaneh.

“Uno de los mayores desafíos que enfrentamos es el excesivo número de permisos que se emiten”, explicó Armstrong. “Por ejemplo, yo tengo programada una corrida a las cuatro y media de la mañana desde Orange Walk. Justo antes de las elecciones, le asignaron a otra persona una corrida a las cuatro y veinte de la mañana, solo diez minutos antes del mío. Ese conductor sale de la terminal y espera afuera, y en cuanto yo salgo a las cuatro y media de la mañana, se pone frente a mí. Entonces, ¿qué debo hacer, esperar o adelantarlo? Esto resalta el grave problema con los horarios programados. Incluso en las aldeas, los autobuses compiten entre sí. No entiendo por qué, pero esa es la realidad que enfrentamos.”

A pesar de las críticas que enfrenta el plan de una compañía nacional, Armstrong, un veterano de la industria, adopta una postura más moderada. A diferencia de otros miembros de la asociación que rechazan la propuesta, él se muestra dispuesto a escuchar.

“Estoy considerando el plan, siempre creo en escuchar para aprender. He tenido reuniones con el ministro, tanto en privado como en público. Es un buen plan si se aplica correctamente y con personas responsables. Solemos pensar de manera unilateral. Necesitamos un campo de juego nivelado donde todos tengan igualdad. Todos somos valiosos. Todos somos una cadena y una vez que uno estalla, todo se desmorona.”