Coalition of Environmentalists Claims Victory

John Burgos

This evening members of the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage held a celebratory press briefing at the Audubon Society’s headquarters. The representatives of the Belize Tourism Industry Association; OCEANA Belize; World Wildlife Fund; Healthy Reefs Initiative; and the Audubon acknowledged, in particular, residents of the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker and Tourism Minister and Belize Rural South representative Manuel Heredia Junior, for understanding the importance of this issue.

John Burgos, Executive Director, Belize Tourism Industry Association

“We believe that the response [we] got at two o’clock this afternoon from Minister Heredia, where they had committed that the seismic testing has been stopped until further notice; and that there is going to be a proposal being presented at Cabinet on Tuesday next week, which is going to determine the Government’s position and the way forward. And of course, I believe that we are going to be engaged in communication to discuss what is the best way forward. So we are very pleased right now; and I believe that I speak for all of us, that is we are very happy that Government is ready and willing to engage us, and be able to show good governance, transparency, and accountability.”

Janelle Chanona

Janelle Chanona, Vice President, OCEANA Belize

“If we could we collectively say, like, just a huge thank-you, and big-up, and respect, and can’t thank you enough, to the Belizean people; as John alluded to, and we have witnessed on the ground out in these consultations and meetings with stakeholders – Belizeans came out. They stood up, and they took a stand, and they made their voices heard; and we can’t say thank you enough. That is people power; and that is amazing, inspiring, motivational, and together we make each other stronger.”

The Coalition members would not entertain a suggestion that there was any bad faith on the part of the Government, directing us to them for clarity.