Caye Caulker Residents Take to the Streets in Protest

Following a press conference held by Belize Electricity Limited in Caye Caulker this morning, the local chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, as well as other stakeholders and concerned residents, took to the streets of the island in protest.  While the numbers may not have been as immense, the message that better service is being demanded by all was echoed loudly.  Caye Caulker has been without steady water and electricity since last weekend.  Notwithstanding the massive losses, residents are clamouring for the utilities to pay closer attention to the needs of the growing destination.

Maria Vega

Maria Vega, Chair, Caye Caulker B.T.I.A.

“We’ve worked hard for this island and this community and this industry to get a good reputation internationally.  We’ve carved a niche for Caye Caulker in the international arena and unfortunately from the problems we’ve recently had, you know, we have lost a lot of ground.  So the purpose of this is to get improved services of what has been promised for normal and customary development that we have ongoing in the country of Belize, but also to get reparation and try to recover ground on the reputation for the industry that we’ve lost, to try to compensate people for some of the heartbreak that they’ve experienced.  And I must thank the community of Caye Caulker for their grace, and especially the police formation here in Caye Caulker under Mr. Crispin Castillo, Officer in Command, they’ve been very patient and graceful and the community has been peaceful for the most part, despite these unexpected hardships.”

Celina Jimenez

Celina Jimenez, Deputy Chair, Caye Caulker B.T.I.A.

“We are just asking for better service, better service because the tourism industry here is increasing and as it increases we expect more quality service to satisfy those tourists.”

Reporter

“Ms. Vega, this is an issue that is affecting many businesses here on the island, but we saw a very small turnout.  Why is it that there aren’t more members of the business community coming out en masse to show that collective frustration today?”

Maria Vega

“I believe that they have been calling in, reporting, they have different media to approach now, like Facebook and WhatsApp and everything else to get their message out.  That’s one thing.  Luckily, for many electricity was returned like just before this so I imagine people are catching up with their business and private responsibilities at home.  Imagine that people have not been able to do laundry and washing of dishes and things like that.  They’ve been losing money at businesses, so this is the time that, there is no guarantee that this electricity will stand right through.”