Leaked Text Messages Reveal Moving Hand Behind Bus at C.W.U.’s Protest
While the Port of Belize remains open, the business community has not been able to receive imports or to export cargo as stevedores are on strike. The port remains on security level two following a violent protest last week. On the morning of July twenty-second, as early as six-thirty, two buses were mysteriously parked at the entrance and the back of the port compound. Yhony Rosado, who has had a history with FECTAB, which has been supporting the Stake Bank project and agitating against the Waterloo project, would say that his buses were stolen. But today, a series of leaked text messages say otherwise; in fact, the damning messages purportedly detail the moving hand behind the buses. The communication involves Rosado, FECTAB’s president David Alemendarez and the Feinsteins of Stake Bank revealing that, not surprisingly, the buses were sent there and ended up on fire as the protest raged. The asking price – forty thousand dollars. Here is News Five’s Hipolito Novelo with a report.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
The bus belonging to tour operator and Executive member of FECTAB Yhony Rosado mysteriously appeared in front of the Port of Belize’s main entrance early morning on Wednesday July twenty-second. That was the day when the staff of the Port, the Christian Workers Union led by Evan Mose Hyde were on protest. It was also the day when Rosado’s bus was magically set on fire, increasing the tensions on the ground. A day after, Rosado spoke to the media claiming that his bus was stolen and illegally parked in front of the Port.
Yhony Rosado
Yhony Rosado, Former Executive Member, FECTAB
“And when I saw the buses on the news yesterday morning, it was not the intention to have buses, especially this specific bus weh just ready. But I was betrayed by the people that you trust and they had the vehicle here. This bus was not supposed to be here on fire.”
Oh but it was, and leaked text messages suggest that it was all part of a ruse. This screenshot of a WhatsApp message, allegedly sent by David Almendarez of FECTAB on July twenty-first says, “I need a bus to block the port gate da morning.” The response, “Who will pay for it. I am ready even though I am not a part of FECTAB. Maybe I we can redeem through fighting together.”
“How much you want?” was asked. The response: “Just make Mr. Feinstein call me and the bus will block the port.”
Da moses, no she ask, was the response.
The next test message says, “Make the Feisteins call me is their fight too, and they will pay me and we all win. This a big man fight and we are just instruments. Call him and we burn up the place tomorrow.”
The conversation continues with “tell moses. I told him I would ask u.”
This screen shot of a WhatsApp message allegedly sent to David Almendarez of FECTAB says, “Ms. Feinstein gave the OK, to block off the Port with the buses find out if I will get anything yes or no……Make you or David bring my cash from Feinsteins or I will deal with all of you. I promise I will never deal with of you. $40K.”
Evan "Mose" Hyde
Evan “Mose” Hyde, President C.W.U.
“Whatever caused the buses to be illegally parked, we interpreted it when we saw it as a gesture of solidarity, solidarity in the air. We loved it. We still love it. We rate. Whoever it is who put it there thank you very much.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
Yhony Rosado told News Five late this evening that he is leaving FECTAB. In Friday’s newscast, we’ll have more on the damming text messages.
