Just before news time tonight, two cousins from Santa Familia, Cayo have been charged in connection with the rape of a thirteen year old. On Wednesday, we reported that the victim accused her sibling of forcing her into having sex with her own cousin at the house where they all lived in the village. The […]
The government of Belize has settled with both Fortis and the Ashcroft Group in the arbitrary nationalizations of B.E.L. and B.T.L. But in this case that is not the end of that. In what to our knowledge is an unprecedented scenario, the Bar Association on Wednesday night passed a resolution to apply to the CCJ […]
Even as general elections looms, in fact just thirty-four more days to go, a number of small political parties have banded to form what they call a labor movement. This morning, the political activists announced they have fifteen thousand of half a million dollars they need for a campaign and eleven of thirty-one candidates required […]
While the newly formed Belize Progressive Party officially introduced itself, as well as its eleven candidates earlier today, it is still short of twenty-one nominees for the organization to contest all thirty-one constituencies. So, with an absence of candidates, Party Leader Patrick Rogers was asked if he has approached familiar names, including activists Giovanni Brackett […]
Since the beginning of the week, several unions including the Christian Workers Union on behalf of its Social Security Board members, the Belize Energy Workers Union, as well as the faculty and staff of the University of Belize and the staff of the K.H.M.H. have been accelerating demands for salary increases and benefits. As the […]
Since the announcement of early general elections on Monday, political machineries on both sides of the political fence joined now by a new third party, are gearing up for November fourth. The U.D.P. is seeking a third term in office while the P.U.P. is hoping it can break the U.D.P. control of government. When we […]
A full round of negotiations between the CWU-represented stevedores and the Port of Belize Ltd. is scheduled to kick off next week after a protracted delay and hard feelings. The last challenge will lie in the agreement on a framework for CBA negotiation which includes specific issues to be discussed as well as timelines for […]
There were no blackouts today and B.E.L. employees were on the job, despite threats of a nationwide strike. Disaster was averted because of a last minute intervention by Prime Minister Dean Barrow Tuesday evening. That led to a capitulation by B.E.L. management and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding late today which effectively signals […]
The MOU was signed at around five this evening, but that doesn’t mean that the management of B.E.L. is happy about it even though the union got less than they were bargaining for. Still yet, the situation would have been handled much differently if not for one thing – general elections in a month. Government […]
Marvin Mora is the spokesperson of the BEWU, but he is also the President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. That umbrella organization was increasingly vocal on a number of hot-button topics of late, but the dynamic certainly changes with the announcement of elections. We asked Mora for his input on the issues […]
Mora also, interestingly, condemned the inability of trade unions to stand up for the people of Belize. It’s a criticism that’s certainly been expressed in different sectors, but coming from the President of the N.T.U.C.B., that’s pretty big news. Mora went so far as to say that for one reason or the other, the trade […]
Even as the Prime Minister has stepped in to pour water on the sizzling coals at B.E.L., he may have to think about doing the same at the Social Security Board. News Five has confirmed that employees of that statutory body are contemplating very immediate industrial action if their demands are not met. Those employees, […]
From the B.E.W.U. to the S.S.B. to U.B. …where we are told faculty and staff have given President of the institution Alan Slusher one week to respond to their demands for a fourteen percent salary adjustment. Those employees point out that just like public officers, in 2003 they received a raise and again, just like […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow formally announced the date for the upcoming general elections on Monday, sixteen months short of his five year term in office. The snap election is causing serious concerns in respect of the electoral lists. The Opposition Leader, Francis Fonseca, in a letter to PM Barrow dated September twenty-eighth, notes that the […]
Will there be nationwide blackouts in the jewel on Wednesday? It seems to be a possibility, since B.E.L. employees who are members of the Belize Energy Workers Union will be on strike. The announcement of that very drastic industrial action at the country’s only power provider came today from General Secretary of the B.E.W.U. Marvin […]
A ccording to Mora, the strike has become necessary only after a protracted attempt to find middle ground with B.E.L. management. With that option seemingly off the table, the union seems prepared to stand its ground. In fact Mora says that since last month the union was prepared to strike. Marvin Mora, General Secretary, […]
The Santa Cruz Thirteen, including outspoken Maya activist Cristina Coc, were back in court today where they appeared before Magistrate Emerson Banner. The group has been back and forth before the magistracy since being arrested and charged on June twenty-fourth for the unlawful imprisonment of Rupert Myles. Myles has denuded parts of the sacred site […]
While the Mayans of Santa Cruz await their day in Court following another adjournment, one man who hasn’t been before a magistrate is Rupert Myles. That’s because the man who is said to have deliberately destroyed the sacred Mayan site, Uxbenka, has not been charged. Following the incident on June twentieth, Director of Archaeology John […]
After four nights on remand, sex offender Kenrick Bowman, is out free from the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance. Last Friday Bowman was arraigned for a sexual offense against a fifteen year old minor and was granted bail by Magistrate Ladonna John which he was able to meet today. However, Bowman’s bail is […]
There was also a murder acquittal in court.Twenty-three year old Lincoln Hemsley Junior, walked free of the March 2012 murder of twenty-one year old David Alberto Hernandez after being on remand for three years. Judge Adolph Lucas upheld a no case submission and ordered that Hemsley Junior had no case to answer. The ruling came […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced on Monday that general elections will be held on November fourth, 2015, that is only three years and eight months into his second five year term in office. The Opposition feels that the Barrow administration will be rocked by various burning issues, including very recent settlements for the arbitrary nationalizations […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow put all speculation to rest today when he announced November fourth as the date for the general elections. Of his two terms in office, he has served a few months short of eight years. It is also the fourth election to be called this year. There have been two bye-elections, one […]
We can’t say that the early elections are a surprise because it has been felt for some time that the P.M. would so do taking advantage of a number of factors. Indeed his Independence Day speech set the tone for today’s announcement and today he said he was going to the electorate for a new […]
Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca reacted within hours to the announcement of the date for general elections. Querying why so early, he said the country is in crisis and things are coming to a head in Belmopan. Earlier this month, at the launch of the Belize City branch of the National Bank, P.M. Barrow went on […]
With only five weeks to prepare for general elections is the P.U.P. financially ready to launch a national campaign? That’s what we asked Party Leader Francis Fonseca earlier today since it is said that the opposition party is strapped for cash. Even so, Fonseca says that in the short space of time since this morning’s […]
