UDP Boycotts House Sitting

The United Democratic Party (UDP) parliamentary caucus is boycotting today’s sitting of the House of Representatives in protest against Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) proposed acquisition of Speednet/SMART.

The UDP described the boycott as “Round 3” in its series of protests and called the acquisition “one of the most blatantly corrupt and reckless deals ever foisted upon the Belizean people.” The party said it refuses to participate in what it called a “rubber stamp” process.

“We refuse to sit and participate in a Parliament that is being turned into a rubber stamp for a deal designed to enrich a Briceño family while saddling Belizeans with millions of dollars in debt,” the release stated.

The UDP listed several concerns, including the lack of independent valuation of SMART, no disclosure of liabilities, no audited financials, and no clear regulatory safeguards. It also questioned whether severance owed to former workers would be paid before any acquisition.

The caucus argued that the deal would leave Belizeans carrying more than $80 million in debt, plus interest and closing costs. “This is not governance. This is not development. This is daylight robbery dressed up as national policy,” the statement read.

The UDP insisted its planned boycott is not “political theatre” but “an act of conscience and common sense.” The release added, “At every stage, the story has changed as the Prime Minister and Markhelm Lizaraga attempt to ram this bitter pill down our throats.”

“Enough is enough,” the statement concluded.