Tracy Panton Says BTL–Smart Acquisition is “Corruption at the Highest Level”

Leaders of the United Democratic Party (UDP) have condemned Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) plan to acquire Speednet (Smart), calling it “corruption at the highest level” and a bailout for private interests.

Speaking on “Open Your Eyes”, UDP leader Tracey Taegar Panton said, “I don’t care what pretty paper or what bow you put on that gift; it is corruption at the highest level, blatant in our faces.” She argued the acquisition would cost taxpayers between $80 and $100 million and claimed it primarily benefits the Briceno family.

Mesopotamia area representative Lee Mark Chang accused BTL of “moving the goalposts constantly just to appease, to make it more palatable to the public.” He criticised the lack of transparency, noting that they have not been allowed to review company books or valuation reports. “Open up the books; let us know some numbers,” Chang said.

Chang added, “Every presentation they make, it gets sweeter and sweeter,” arguing that BTL is trying to make the deal more acceptable. He also said that getting support from “your own party is just wrong” and suggested the public decide through a referendum.

They continued to raise concerns about potential monopoly and competition issues, with Panton making mention of  Starlink. “The technology that Starlink will bring to Belize we simply cannot match… So it is simply a bailout of Speednet (Smart) in the interest of private gain,” she said.  While Chang added that oversight has failed, describing the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and BTL board as “handpicked” and ineffective.

The UDP also defended last week’s protest at BTL headquarters, describing it as “good trouble” and a form of civil disobedience to demand transparency. “We will continue to protest, and we will continue to advocate in ways that are lawful, to ensure that we keep the pressure up,” Panton said.