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 […]
Good Evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. As the mighty La Ruta Maya approaches its 2015 edition, the pre-season is rife with the expected vigorous preparation and the silent but necessary assessment of the competition. Looking relaxed and confident, the defending champion, Belize Bank, featuring Amin Lopez, Amado Cruz and Daniel […]
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 […]
“Foolishness on top of foolishness…nonsense placed upon stilts.” – Those words were used by the Prime Minister on Thursday to describe the notion by farmers, described by him as radicals…that they could get the Court to move on the Mandamus Order. But the Court has moved, quite decisively. And that brings into scrutiny a very […]
We note again that the impact will be felt on the ground by farmers, not by attorneys in a Courtroom. The reality is that as things stand now, there is absolutely no stability in the industry, and none of the stakeholders know what will happen next. In his press conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Dean […]
Ezequiel Cansino is the overall head of the largest cane-farmer branch in San Estevan, responsible for one hundred and fifty tons of cane. He is in the unenviable position of being Chairman of the BSCFA as well as branch director. And he’s torn between the two. The BSCFA has been instructed by cane-farmers to go […]
So the sugar cane industry is in turmoil and as we said at the beginning, nobody knows what will happen next. If the wish of government and ASR/BSI comes true, individual associations or an alliance of groups will sign the agreement to deliver five hundred thousand tons of sugar cane immediately, and the crop will […]
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 […]
Equally affected by the ongoing logjam is Port of Belize Limited. The company does significant business with ASR/BSI and is experiencing cash flow issues as a result of the impasse. According to Vasquez, the ripple effect is far-reaching and stevedores at the port are also feeling the pinch in their pockets. Arturo Vasquez, Receiver, […]
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 […]
The Belize Electricity Limited announced earlier this week that it will be reducing electricity rates. But that saving will not be in your pockets for long because the other utility company, Belize Water Services will be increasing water rates. The Public Utilities Commission issued an initial decision today approving the increase in water rates. B.W.S.L. […]
Avery went on to explain the rationale behind setting a rate that should last for the five-year period. John Avery, Chairman, P.U.C. “We would not want to set a rate that is designed to be changed five times within five years and so we tried to set a rate that will last for the […]
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, […]
