As has become apparent, the backs of farmers have been broken by a combination of ASR/B.S.I.’s inflexible stance, and G.O.B.’s deliberate withdrawal from the equation at a critical juncture. In the next couple of days all farmers are likely to have signed on to the agreement with the factory, for better or worse. The P.U.P. […]
According to Fonseca, the signs of today’s sugar cane debacle were foretold when the government refused to allow cane farmers to purchase controlling shares in B.S.I. He claims that a P.U.P. government, from that point, would have sided with the farmers. That was not done, and according to the P.U.P. leader, neither has there been […]
Even as the Opposition has its say, and expresses full solidarity with and support for the cane farmers of Belize, the fact is that at this point cane farmers have run out of time, backative and options. They certainly cannot wait for February twenty-third and a possible Mandamus order. So they will sign…which means that […]
The traditional opening of the Supreme Court was held this morning in Belize City with all the usual pageantry and ceremony that are attached to the event. After a service at Wesley Church, the attorneys and judiciary moved over to the Supreme Court for the speeches that look at the state of affairs in the […]
The treatment and conditions of inmates at the Belize Central Prison are serious concerns which the Bar Association has been busy addressing. In November, leading Human Rights Attorney, Joseph Middleton, presented a report based on a study conducted at the Kolbe Facility during the summer of 2013. The comprehensive document includes input from members of […]
In January 2014, during his presentation at the last opening of the Supreme Court session, Attorney General Wilfred Elrington openly admitted that funding for the judiciary was rather inadequate. While little has changed on that end since the pronouncement a year ago, the judiciary has taken a proactive role in obtaining its own funds to […]
The revised Legal Profession Act caused some stir among members of the Bar Association in September when the amendment resulted in the discontinuation of compulsory attendance. In retrospect, the move by government is similar to the prescription presently being tossed around amid the sugar crisis…that individuals and parties should be free to establish associations independent […]
A forty-one year old nurse aide originally from Belize, who worked at the University Nursing Home in New York, has been charged for the killing of a resident of the home and will face a grand jury on Tuesday in the Bronx Criminal Court. Cherrylee Young is accused of beating seventy-seven year old Frank Mercado […]
In this newscast, you’ve heard of charges for Displaying Gang Membership and Associating with a Criminal Gang, but did you know that under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act there is an unusual charge for anti social behavior? Well today, one such order was issued by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on George McKenzie […]
Although the order was issued December fifteenth 2014 for the period of one year, it was not until after two this afternoon that McKenzie Junior was taken into police custody from his house in Majestic Alley. He was escorted to the police station where he was issued the order, almost a month after it was […]
Belize has received top marks among countries in Central America for its success in the GREAT Program of the Central America Regional Security Initiative to curb crime in the region. The Gang Resistance Education And Training Program, with the support of the U.S. Government and the Ministries of Education and National Security, was introduced to […]
Cayo North Area Representative Omar Figueroa has been sworn in as Minister of State in the Barrow administration after soundly defeating P.U.P. opponent Richard Harrison at the polls a week ago. This evening, at the Belize House in Belmopan, Figueroa was administered an oath by Governor General Sir Colville Young to serve the constituents of […]
Cane-farmers, those called the “radicals” by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, this morning got a green light from the Supreme Court to argue for an Order of Mandamus against the Sugar Industry Control Board. That substantive hearing is weeks away on February twenty-third. The intent is to convince the Court that the SICB does have the […]
Turning to other issues, a cargo vessel en route to Belize has been grounded off the coast of the city since the beginning of the week when it began experiencing mechanical difficulties near the English Caye Pilot Station. Rio Para, a ship which flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was on its way from […]
Fresh off a huge win in Monday’s Cayo North by-election, Doctor Omar Figueroa is set to join cabinet. Following a special sitting of Cabinet, the office of the Prime Minister today announced that Figueroa, who is a doctor in Environmental Sciences by profession, is being appointed minister of state in the PM’s office as early […]
Earlier this week we told you about Guatemalan labourers lined up at the Western border to come into Belize to work. We understood then that they came in on one day passes, but were to work at Green Tropics in Western Belize for one year. On Thursday we asked Minister of Immigration and Labour Godwin […]
An organization has remained in the corner of the B.S.C.F.A. is the National Trade Union Congress of Belize which reaffirmed its solidarity with the farmers earlier today. The NTUCB demonstrated its encouragement for the association a few weeks ago and came under fire from government for being arrogant in the extreme. Notwithstanding the castigation, the […]
The NTUCB has also caught flak for seemingly leading the BSCFA impetuously. The release essentially goes on say that the NTUCB categorically refuses to fold under insults from government and that it’s primary focus is to lend continued support to BSCFA in an effort to safeguard the longevity of the organization. Rebecca Suazo, General […]
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also weighing in on the sugar crisis and is calling for a peaceful resolution to the existing debacle focusing on the impact the standstill is having on the local economy. The sale of sugar on the world market accounts for over a hundred million dollars in foreign […]
In his New Year’s address Prime Minister Dean Barrow made all manner of promises, government spending which he claims will rival and even surpass the unprecedented spending in 2014. There was much of interest in that address, but one thing stood out, at least for tourism stakeholders and organizations like COLA who have been advocating […]
Nineteen year old Porfilio Rodriguez also known as Vanessa Champagne is home tonight with relatives after spending the Christmas behind bars. Champagne spent plenty time last year before the courts but tonight he is out on bail on his latest charge of Burglary. His application was heard in the Supreme Court before Justice Troadio Gonzalez, […]
Late this evening, the Supreme Court took a half hour session to practice for the upcoming opening of the Supreme Court set to commence on Monday which traditionally kicks off with a church service. But earlier in the afternoon, before Justice Troadio Gonzalez, the closing of the 2014 session of the Supreme Court concluded with […]
There is perhaps an unprecedented level of turmoil in the sugar industry tonight. The issues delaying the start of crop are complicated, but we’ll keep it simple. On Sunday cane-farmers voted to reject the signing of an agreement with ASR/B.S.I. Instead, they instructed the B.S.C.F.A. to seek the intervention of the SICB to force the […]
And certainly the government is not prepared to see American Sugar Refinery close its doors. After clarifying ASR’s position, the PM did the same with his. The Sugar Industry Control Board will not step in at the request of farmers. He’s clear that will not happen. And the PM is also clear, in his mind, […]
Prime Minister says that the reason that government did not move to amend the Act as instructed by the Supreme Court in 2010 is because it wanted to preserve the B.S.C.F.A. But because of the developments in the industry, G.O.B.’s hand has to some extent been forced, and it must contemplate the formation of another, […]
