Teachers' Union Draws Massive Crowd For Demonstration

Belmopan saw a lot of action today with both the first session of the House of Representatives - which saw the swearing in of all the parliamentarians - as well as a massive demonstration by the Belize National Teachers Union.
We'll tell you about the inaugural session of parliament later in the news, though. We begin tonight with the main event: the largest movement of teachers we've seen in decades. Thousands of green shirts lined the Belmopan streets, and sprinkled in were the yellow of the PSU as well. They have a number of demands, but the bottom line is they want their salaries increased, just like that of the CEOs and the Cabinet Secretary.
And with such a large crowd, they're hard to ignore. But will the government bend to their will?

Courtney Menzies was on the ground this morning and has this story.

Over 3,000 - that's a rough estimate by the Belize National Teachers Union of how many of their members came out in full force. The streets of Belmopan turned green as teachers marched through the capital in the largest crowd we have seen in almost two decades - even passing in front of the Sir Edney Cain building just as the inaugural session of the House of Representatives was underway.

The union's president said it was a larger crowd than she anticipated, and she thanks the Ministry of Education's CEO for the extra boost.

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"I must tell you, they have exceeded my expectation. I have to thank the Ministry of Education, after that interview yesterday, our numbers went up by more than 25%, teachers weren't happy at all. And I'll tell you what the teachers have shared with me via text messages, the government saw what the CEOs were doing and gave them an increase without them asking, then our teachers are saying, have you all been asking? We have been and no attention has been paid to us. So since we're asking, we're not getting it, then I'm coming out so we can demand it. So the numbers are here because that's the message we're sending. And this is phase 1."

In her interview, Dian Maheia stated that the CEOs didn't request their raise - it was given to them as an acknowledgement of their hard work. Well, Caliz said where's the acknowledgement for the teachers?

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"They found the CEO's response to be very arrogant, I didn't ask for a raise, my boss gave me, and now they want to demonstrate against me. In my view she should have kept quiet. but since the boss recognizes her good efforts even though we have people suffering right now with increments and stuff like that, our teachers are saying, boss, you didn't recognize me, it's the same boss. So this is animal farm kind of mentality, that's what we're seeing happening."

Reporter:
"But do you think they can make way in the budget to accommodate 8.5%?"

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"If this was up to Ministry of Education, you'd already know what would happen, because she's talking already. You know what would happen if it was up to the Ministry of Education. But what I need her to do is to take out of whatever millions there and let's start fix the issues in education, the real issues. And let's start get after managements that are abusing these teachers. Let's start getting after those managements that are not fixing these classrooms. Let's confront the elephant in the room because what you all do now, because this is why I'm fired up, some of these managements are not doing their job as managements. And they side with some of these managements and condone the ***obscenity*** and that's why you see them now running to managements because I cover your dirt, you cover my dirt. That's the ***obscenity** going on but the BNTU is telling you we will not be silenced, we will talk about it because you will solve it. No more of these blame games, and under the table you're friends. No man, we're not into that at all."

And for the BNTU, it seems they're taking hits from all sides. The Catholic managements of their schools have indirectly implied that they will be deducted a day's wages for participating in today's demonstration. But Caliz came swinging after them as well.

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"I always hold back when it comes back to the Catholic management but I will tell you this today, a lot of these teachers who work under the catholic management cannot even get their income tax for years, years I tell you, and I stand behind that. They need to do what they need to go to give better service to their workers and then the repairs of those buildings, most of them are done by these teachers. A lot of their classrooms, I want you to tour this country and go to Catholic schools and look at the conditions of those schools and tell me, every time it comes to this, they want to threaten the teachers but these are the teachers that take care of those classrooms for them. That letter, let me swallow that."

But that implied threat didn't intimidate the teachers that came out. They say they're willing to risk a day's wage if it means getting what they deserve.

Teacher
"We want to ensure that we get the raise that we deserve because year after year we're in a classroom and we have to provide our own equipment, our own posters, everything we have to provide. It's about time we got the raise."

Teacher
"I came out here because I know that we have a right to get our money back because the prime minister already promised us the 8.5, we were supposed to get more but we know that he can't lose his promise, we already sacrificed most of our increments for him, now it's time for us to get our money because the CEO, all of them are smiling, why are we negotiating for? We negotiate every year, every minute. We don't need to negotiate. Most of the times we negotiate, oh lord, it takes long. We don't need to talk now, it's time for us to get our money."

Teacher
"Fire the CEOs and pay the teachers, times are hard out here, we work hard."

Now, the ball's in the government's hands, and their team will be meeting with the joint unions on Tuesday. If all goes well, Caliz says it could potentially be the end of their industrial action.

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"We will be meeting with the team because the letter speaks to them going back to Cabinet for a decision to be made. But we will be meeting and then we will be presenting to them once again our demands."

Courtney Menzies:
"What's the main demand you'll put on the table?"

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"Every single thing there is equally important. So we're not going to say this is the main demand, everything that is there, we want."

"We go to the table and based on what happens at the table we agree that JUNT will meet and then we'll engage in phase 2 based on what they bring to the table."

Reporter:
"So that negotiation could be the do all, end all of this."

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"And that would be perfect for this group of demands because we still have the CBA, several issues to address under the collective bargaining agreement. So that's another round."

Reporter:
"And at the end of the day, these teachers want to be in the classroom?"

Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU
"They do, to be quite honest with you, they do. But they believe that they have not been treated with respect so it's time for them to show that they do not appreciate disrespect."

And they've got the solidarity from their sister unions - a few members of the PSU joined the demonstration as well as the president of the CWU.

PSU Protestor
"We want our salary increase, we want everything that is for us. We work hard. You know how much people are working in the ministry and we don't get hazardous allowance or hardship and different things? We're working for those, we're walking for you, for your kids, for the future, for equal rights and justice."

Courtney Menzies:
"Are you disappointed that it's a few of you, not as much as maybe the BNTU or a crowd?"

PSU Protestor
"It's enough, where there's one, where only one person is, it's still a fight. Once you're willing to fight for something, it's still a fight."

Courtney Menzies:
"Do you feel like a lot of your members are afraid of being victimized?"

PSU Protestor
"Of course they're afraid of being victimized."

Courtney Menzies:
"So they would be out here if..."

PSU Protestor
"They're there wearing their yellow, you all should go look around and see who have on their yellow."

Leonora Flowers, President, CWU
"As a sister union it's important. This was a national issue and so CWU has its own issue that it needs to bring to the table but we recognize the important of the issue, the important of people getting paid for what they worked for is one of the biggest issue today and so CWU recognizes its duty to come out here and show solidarity with its peers."

Courtney Menzies:
"What do you make of the pay increase of the CEOs and the Cabinet Secretary?"

Leonora Flowers, President, CWU
"I could say a lot but in one word I will say disrespectful, disgusting, and unconscionable."

After the inaugural session of the House of Representatives, the union then went as close to the Edney Cain building as the cops would let them, hoping that the members of parliament would see, hear and feel them. Police held the line and the teachers shouted, but did not push too hard.

Around 11:15, the crowd began to disperse. But on Tuesday, we'll know what the next steps will be for the BNTU.

PM Says Teachers' Proposed Increase Would Cost 63 Million

But were their chants heard by the ruling party in parliament? It was an open air house meeting but the protestors were confined to the ring road - a few hundred yards away.
Today we asked the Prime Minister if he felt the demonstration overshadowed the celebratory mood of the opening of parliament.
As usual, he said it's their right to protest, and reiterated that the government's team will be meeting with them. But are they willing to give the teachers their 8.5% salary increase?

It doesn't seem likely. Here's what he said.

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't think it was overshadow. Like I said, the unions have a right to protest, that's their job, that's their work as the leaders trying to basically tell, they're campaigning with their voters which is their union members, and that's fine, that's okay. We came here and we presented a broad vision of what we hope to accomplish in the next five years."

Reporter:
"But as the minister of finance how do you address their concerns demanding salary adjustments of 8%, the immediate implementation of the $6 per hour for minimum wage and so forth?"

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think certainly it is their right to make those demands and to ask of the government. Now, it is now our responsibility to meet with them and see what we could afford. If we could afford that we'll give it to them. If we can afford more, we'll gladly do so, but we have to look within the ambit of what we have. The pie is one size, it's not bigger and it's growing slowly but the demands are growing even larger. When you make, the Ministry of Finance made a quick estimate of what they're asking, that will add another 60, approximately 63 million dollars to the wage bill. As it is right now, I think the wage bill is over 700 million dollars and it gives you pause to think that if we were to do what recklessly then we may have to cut other social programs and other things we want to do so it's a balancing act from our end. They have their demands or their requests and we sit down and we talk to them and try to find a common ground that can meet some of their objectives but at the same time for us to be able to be a responsible government."

Courtney Menzies:
"They'll make the argument that you increase the CEOs' salaries and the Cabinet Secretary's salaries but can't increase their ones, they'll say well, cut back on the CEOs' salaries."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, the thing is when you look at that, you're looking at $300,000 versus 64 million dollars, do the math."

Jules Vasquez:
"But sir do you blame Stuart Leslie the Cabinet Secretary because it's he who has the government, early into its second term, locked in this dispute that is a challenging one because he went ahead and gave these lavish increases."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I really don't want to start with an argument with you, not today, please, but the point is that I don't know how you could describe it as lavish because it's really not lavish and at the end of the day, I have to take responsibility as the prime minister and the Minister of Finance so if you want to blame anyone, blame me."

New Compol Says Demonstrators Gave No Problem

And while the union members came close to the Sir Edney Cain building, they maintained peace throughout the entire demonstration. According to the new ComPol, his officers did not have any issues along the route. In fact, they were bracing for more.

Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"I want to say that the teachers, the unions, they have a right to protest, but they must do so within the context of the law. And for all that I have known, the unions have always done a peaceful demonstration. So they are within their rights."

Reporter
"Right now they're very close to the event, though. Have they been sanctioned to be here?"

Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"The event has concluded. So they are not in breach of any of the conditions of the bonds."

Reporter
"And then the security threat is at minimum at this point?"

Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Yes, the security threat here is at minimum."

Reporter
"Talk a bit about what it took to organize this event. We saw police officers scattered across the ring road today. That's a lot of resources."

Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Well, honestly, we were anticipating a larger crowd. We were anticipating a larger crowd, but it did not turn out to the size that we were anticipating. But our policing effort are based on our threat assessment."

"And based on the threat assessment, then we would post our police officers to police the event to ensure that they can protest and they can protest doing so peacefully. Whenever we have a demonstration, our first approach, and I have emphasized this with them, that they must approach the protesters, the unions, the teachers, or whoever is protesting in a diplomatic manner."

Reporter
"What's the instruction at this point in time now that they're so close to the building?"

Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"It's the same thing? It's the same thing. We will allow them as long as they are doing it within the context of the law."

Social Partners Came Out To Support Teachers

But apart from their sister unions, the BNTU also had support from other members of the public, including the Toledo Alcalde Association, the Union Senator, and even the former Minister of Education, Patrick Faber. We spoke to them near the Edney Cain Building.

Cristina Coc, Toledo Alcalde Association
"The teachers are calling for a dignified life, a right to a dignified life. That's not different from what the Alcaldes have always been calling for, a right to a dignified life, well-being, and a healthy environment for us to perform and be productive parts of this country."

"And so for us, we don't see any difference with what we have clamored for and what the teachers are asking for."

BNTU Members "Catches" With Former Minister

But the former minister and new senator had a slight confrontation. One of the BNTU's members challenged him on his sincerity. Here's how that exchange went.

Patrick Faber, Former Minister of Education
"I have always stand with the teachers."

Protestor
"Okay, you stand with the teachers now, but why when you were in charge you do not stand with the teachers and we have to strike?"

Patrick Faber, Former Minister of Education
"I have always stand with the teachers. You check the record, always stood with the teachers."

Protestor
"The last time when you ran through this area, you said that you were not there participating with the teachers, but you showed up on your own. So you never always stand up with the teachers."

Patrick Faber, Former Minister of Education
"I am the one who gave the teachers the cert Ed program, ensure that they..."

Protestor
"So since you're in a opposition, how do you think that government can assist us teachers?"

Patrick Faber, Former Minister of Education
"By giving you what you're asking, it's fair. It's a fair demand."

Killed At High Noon On Hunter's Lane

A state of emergency was declared on May 6th, but that didn't stop a man from being murdered after midday today.

The victim is a San Pedrano who came to the city with a friend - only for him to meet his death down a dangerous lane on the northside. Jomarie Lanza was on the scene of this murder:

The blood splatter on the zinc fence at the corner of this house in the Hunter's Lane area is where 26 year old San Pedro resident and boat captain Zinedine Pinelo met his end.

Relatives tell us he left the island this morning to go with a friend from the city. They feel he was led to his death. Police say at 12:30pm Pinelo and that friend went to Hunters Lane to meet another man. Whilst speaking to him they were approached by several men. One of them then pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at Pinelo - who was shot to the head and died on the spot while his companion escaped unhurt. His family says Pinelo was then robbed of his money and firearm. Police have not yet detained any suspects - but they did send to re-detain all major gang leaders after many were released earlier this week when they gave up guns. Now they're being called in because a man was murdered at high noon, possibly for his gun.

New Compol Committed To SOE

And this most recent murder occurred at the start of the current state of emergency. As we told you, the commissioner proposed a 6 month SOE - which is unprecedented. He explained, however, that it's not set in stone. But if it comes to that, he will not hesitate to ask for the extension. As he puts it, they'll do whatever it takes.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Honestly, while I am lobbying for it to be for six months, it will allow us, and the main reason for that, it was based on a threat assessment. And the assessment went from high to critical, and there was a need for us to do something drastically."

"Hence the reason I was lobbying, I was trying to see if we can put a six months in the first instance. But in any case, our strategies have always been on threefold; the prevention, the intervention, and enforcement strategies."

"So we are doing all that we can to ensure that we return normalcy to the streets in Belize City"

Reporter
"Why was Roaring Creek chosen? Because no shootings or murders happened in Roaring Creek."

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Now, like I mentioned, whenever we recommended the SOE, it's based on a threat assessment. And the threat assessment in those areas that are affected was at a critical level. Hence the reason they were included."

Reporter
"So do you believe it won't go as long as six months? Maybe three months will suffice?"

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Like I said, our strategies on the ground is based on the context on the ground. We have a wide continuum of policing strategies available to us. Where on the continuum we place the police department depends on what's on the ground."

Jules Vasquez
Sir, the state of emergency is not a policing strategy. It is a blunt instrument of the state to suppress people's rights, to see a judge."

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Like I'm saying, we have a wide continuum of policing strategies available to us. We have a wide community policing to combat policing. Where we place the police department on that continuum, it's based on the context on the ground. And we will do everything that is possible to return peace, stability and normalcy to the ground."

"Please appreciate that the state of emergency is to allow the investigators to continue their investigation without interruption or hindrance from the gang elements."

Jules Vasquez
"Prime Minister said that it's not a state of emergency but a gang intervention period. This seems an attempt to sanitize what is a suspension of people's constitutional rights. Are you in support of this language, gang intervention period?"

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"It's the police department that has been lobbying for it to be referred to as a gang intervention period."

Jules Vasquez
"But, sir, that's a bastardization."

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"We're in support of the gang intervention period."

Jules Vasquez
"But, sir, that means that it's an illustration that all policing tactics have failed, and we now just have to use the most blunt and crude instrument of the state to just pick you up, lock you up, no judge, go."

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Like I mentioned, we will do everything that is possible to return normalcy, peace and stability to the streets in Belize City."

Jules Vasquez
"Even at the cause of the rights of persons?"

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"I'm saying that we will do everything that is possible within the context of the law, within the context of the constitution, to return normalcy to the streets of Belize City."

As we noted, today's murder led to the immediate detention of persons who had been initially held under the SOE and then released.

Customs Officers and Cannabis Investigation Continues

In other police. news, last week, we reported that the police department was investigating two customs officers in connection with a large shipment of marijuana - which was delivered via one of the freight services. The former ComPol had given directives to investigate the matter to the fullest extent. Today Dr Rosado gave us an update.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Are doing a joint investigation with the police and the anti-money laundering unit. Yesterday, the investigators had applied for the court for a warrant to search the devices of those individuals who are involved."

"So the investigation is ongoing. Once the investigation is completed, the file will be forwarded to the DPP for her advice."

Reporter
"Will additional personnel from the customs department also be looked at?"

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"We will go where the investigation leads us to. And if there's other additional persons who we have evidential material to detain and pursue them, we will do that."

Reporter
"How large is this apparent smuggling and how deep does it go, are you able to say?"

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"The investigation is still ongoing at this moment, so it's difficult for me to say."

Jules Vasquez
"There were people other than customs officers, the argument would be made. They would have already been drugged into face charges. These are people who showed an active interest in this box, inquiring where the box is. Boy, bring out the box special for me, that looks like criminal collusion."

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"We are doing an intense investigation and hence the reason we don't want to jump and quickly charge anyone unless we have the evidential material to detain and charge them."

"Those in customs officers that we have some evidential material on them, we have brought them in, they have been interviewed and we are continuing the investigation."

Mason Guilty Again

Danny Mason has been found guilty again - this time by a jury for 2 counts of kidnapping couple Lloyd & Rosie Friessen.
The same jury found him not guilty of blackmailing Lloyd Friessen while his alleged accomplice Ryan Rhaburn walked free, after a unanimous verdict of not guilty on both counts of kidnapping according to all 9 jurors. He left the court a free man whileMason returned to prison to continue serving his 35 year sentence for murder.
Mason's Trinidadian Attorney, Peter Taylor said the verdict was confusing but they will be reviewing the directives given by the judge before they could say whether or not Mason will be appealing the conviction for 2 counts of kidnapping.

Here are his remarks outside the courtroom:

Peter Taylor, Attorney for William "Danny" Mason
"Well we found that it was rather confusing because the blackmail was supposed to be a part and parcel of the alleged kidnapping. Now our case was that the kidnapping was in fact a fabrication and also the blackmail. We were rather confused, for the jury had found Mr Mason not guilty of blackmail but guilty of kidnapping, when, as I said, the blackmail was supposed to be part and parcel of this whole enterprise. We are going to have to review the directions that the chair to have given to the jury to see if there were arguments that were perhaps appealable. That of course will take some time, but we in fact are disappointed, very, very disappointed because of the inconsistencies that we found through the evidence of the crown's witnesses. There were inconsistencies between Lloyd Frazer and his wife, the alleged victims there were also manifesting inconsistencies in the evidence of the supporting so called supporting witnesses. Of course one of the witnesses was allegedly part of the kidnapping and even his testimony contradicted that of the so called victims in very material particulars. We of course made a no case submission but the evidence was so unreliable that no jury properly directed could have convicted (inaudible)."

We reached out to the DPP for a response and she said, quote, "The fact-finding duty was entirely within the province of the jury." She adds, quote, "This particular jury was one of the most if not THE MOST attentive that I have come across. They took their responsibility very seriously. Ultimately, they convicted Mason of the two counts of kidnapping and we are of the view that justice was thereby served. If they were unsure of the separate offence against Mason for blackmail, it was their duty to acquit him of it. It was their duty, likewise, if they were unsure of the participation of Ryan Rhaburn, to acquit him and this is what they did...A no-case submission made by Counsel for Rhaburn had in fact been dismissed both at the first trial and in this trial..The result today is testament to a properly functioning criminal justice system."

Mason's sentencing is set for June 20, 2025.

Inaugural Session of Parliament 8 Weeks After Election

And, we return to Belmopan now for the ceremonial opening of a new session of parliament - which was a mix of ceremony, weighty matters of state and a few lighter moments. Jules Vasquez reports:

The inaugural sitting of the 14th session of the House of Representatives is an event rich in the usual state pageantry.

8 weeks into a term is the latest this newsroom has ever seen the inaugural session happen - but the oath - taken in fort of the Edney Cain building was no different.

The members of the ruling party - now in their second terms carry what might be called the weight and the dull sheen of office.

In the audience all the CEO's and diplomats under starched collars on a very warm day.

Then event took about two hours - starting with the naming of a speaker.

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Madam clerk I propose to this honourable house Miss Valerie Woods as the speaker of the house of representatives."

After she was installed

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives
"In this 14th session of th whose we witness a historic moment as we welcome for the first time a woman as the Leader of the Opposition."

"Of note is that of a 31 member chamber, women still constitute a mer 9.6% of its membership."

After that the Governor General was invited to present the government speech:

Dame Froyla Tzalam, Governor General
"The government is committed to carefully, properly and responsibly making the right choices for the country."

"These right choices include raising the minimum wage to $6, completing the roll out of NHI, expanding mobile and clinics so we can put more land in the hands of our people, further expanding free education and a Healthy Start feeding program. Passing a law to make GST weekends permanent for summer, back to school and Christmas."

The Prime Minister spoke next in what has evolved into a kind of State of the Nation Address:

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"This simple, auspicious ceremony is not without significance. It is a public affirmation that Belize is a democracy in which free and fair elections were held and the collective voice of the people respected."

"We govern with the consent of the people. We hold that power temporarily, in trust, for the Belizean people."

"The sacred mission of my government is to maintain the trust and confidence reposed in us during our new term of office."

And, in this new term of office, the PM mentioned some of the major economic initiatives:

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We are moving forward with a massive development project that is intended to transform the cargo, bulk and cruise facilities in an environmentally responsible way."

"The sugar industry, the lifeblood of northern Belize for many decades, is facing strong headwinds."

"Government will propose the establishment of a Sugar Industry Authority to lead the modernization of the sugar industry to ensure it has a viable and profitable future both for the farmers and the millers."

"This is a critical mission that cannot fail. In this term we will have constitutional reform, we will complete decolonization and we will make paramount our Belizean sovereignty."

And while he ignored the ongoing teacher's protest, he couldn't ignore the elephant in the room - which is a surge in gang warfare:

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"On the advice of the Government, her Excellency the Governor General declared a state of emergency on Tuesday 6th May 2025."

"This draconian measure was necessary to wage war on the criminal elements in our society."

"The intra gang wars that kill Belizeans, that spread fear through otherwise peaceful neighbourhoods and communities, which threatens our way of life must be defeated."

"My government intends to take every step needed to excise this cancer. The good must not suffer for the bad and we must call it what it is - NOT a State of Emergency, but a Gang Intervention Period!"

It's a notable change in terminology clearly meant to sanitize and normalize such states of emergency.

And, for the first time in the three weeks since the hijacking the Prime Minister addressed the greatest security threat the nation has ever seen the April 17th hijacking:

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Twenty-two days ago, a hijacked Tropic Airplane landed safely at the Philip Goldson International Airport, thanks to the heroism of three men - pilot Captain Howell Grange, Jair Castaneda and Fitzgerald Brown."

"All three men were badly injured in an almost two-hour long ordeal, but because they would not give up, and because they kept their wits, all passengers survived to tell the tale."

"Today we have with us Captain Grange and Mr. Castaneda. Regrettably, Mr. Brown is unable to be with us as a result of injuries he sustained, and we ask for continued prayers for his full recovery."

"I would like to ask all except Captain Grange and Mr. Castaneda to stand as we give these heroes a standing ovation."

PM Denies Delay

So why did the government wait 8 weeks to swear in representatives and open the new session of parliament? We asked the PM the reason for the delay, and he said, "what delay":

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"There's no such thing about delay, there's no such thing in the constitution or law that states that you must call parliament within one week or one month or whatever. You call when you feel it fits best. So there's no such thing. but we were trying, we wanted to make it even a bigger event. We were trying to see if we could've gotten somebody to come to Belize to address the first opening of parliament but it did not work out because that person, the schedule just did not work. But it also gave us time to make a readjustment with the budget, the budget was almost finished but because we changed some departments and some ministries were reconfigured. It took a little bit of time to be able to fix that so it was not deliberate but here we are today."

PM Finally Addresses Hijacking

And, as you saw, in his address, the Prime Minister addressed the April 17th hijacking - his first public statement on it - even though he is also the first Prime Minister to hold. the Civil Aviation portfolio.

But, today, he refused to concede that his response has been lacking:

Courtney Menzies:
"Will you concede that the national response to the hijacking of the Tropic Air flight was delayed, slowed, didn't seem very urgent? It's a month later and you're just addressing the issue."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"How could you even say that? These are the times you want to get upset and you want to behave like a Dean Barrow but I'm not a Dean Barrow."

Jules Vasquez:
"Or a Shyne Barrow."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Or a Shyne Barrow. But I'm not that kind of person. Let me give you a sequence of events. When that happened that Thursday, as I mentioned earlier, I was in the US in the hospital with my wife. If I was not in a hospital, I would have been on a plane on the Friday to come here. When the farmers were agitating I think last year, I was going to go and meet the Pope. My bags were on the plane and I said you know what, I'm coming to Belize because this is an issue that we need to address. It's because of that I was not here but I immediately asked that we have a National Security Council meeting so there was an emergency House Meeting that very same afternoon and things started to work immediately. Not because I don't talk to you, nothing happened. we are not a government of press conferences, we are a government of getting the work done. The following week, we had a full briefing from the National Security Council where we got the videos, we got the talking and everything and we had already started to put some plan in action. After that, we met Cabinet, we briefed the Cabinet, when we finished briefing the Cabinet, the following day then we met with all the players in the industry all the different operators and we spoke about what we're doing and some of the other things that we have done. We presented to them some of the steps we want to take and asked them to respond to us. They should have responded last week so we could have had something that could really address the issues of aviation safety. But what is important to point out is that, why do people like to be in Belize? Because we feel free, you feel easy to move around, you feel generally safe, so one minister pointed out quiet well to make the point that let's not go from one extreme to the next extreme whereby you feel constricted with your movements so let's find a common ground where we could still feel that sense of freeness but to still give you that comfort of safety and that's what we've been doing."

PM Doesn't Want to Talk About "ISECURITY" Contract

And the company ensuring that comfort and safety is "ISECURITY" an outfit out of Orange Walk. It is owned by consummate PUP insider, Ian Cal - whose company got the contract - while other airport certified security companies were not invited to tender. 12 of the 18 "Isecurity" officers sent to the PGIA for basic training failed.

We asked the PM who is Ian Cal today and not surprisingly he didn't want to talk about it:

Jules Vasquez:
"Sir who is I Security and what's Ian Cal's relationship to you and to other politicians in the north? He got the contract to provide airport security, no tender given."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, I think that's something you need to go and talk to the people at the BAA."

Jules Vasquez:
"You appoint them sir."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"But I can tell you I do know Ian Cal and that's as far as I can tell you, next question."

Channel 7 News has made a Freedom of Information request for the contract for "ISECURITY". An answer is due from the Belize Airports Authority on May 20th.

A Tourism Summit For The Digital Age

Over 300 persons were in attendance today at BTB's 9th Digital Marketing Summit. This year's featured speakers included up to 9 representatives from international organizations, with a focus on content creation and data driven decision making. Jomarie Lanza stopped by THE CIVIC today and here's that story.

PM Says There's Still Slim Hope For 125M MCC Grant

We have reported that the government will most likely not be seeing the 125 million US dollar grant from the US government's Millennium Challenge Corporation after the Department of Government Efficiency shut down the program last month. But the PM says all hope may not be lost. He told us what he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed in their phone call regarding the grant.

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We have not received an official response as yet and in my discussion with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he left the door slightly open in the sense that he said he's going to meet with the board. The MCC he said is not directly under his purview but he is the chairman of the board so he said they will be meeting and then have a discussion on whether they should finish the projects that have already started. Remember we were just starting so I don't know if we will be within that ambit. We hope that we will but we just have to wait and see."

Reporter:
"And if they're not continued, how will the government finish the projects?"

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The point is that the MCC was not a part of the budget. They came here and we met with them and we did within record time manage to get a compact signed for 125 million USD of which 20% of it for energy and the rest for teaching. We already knew what were the challenges we face in the educational system so they would have been helping but now that they're not, then we have to look and see how we're going to find the money and start to make the adjustments within the educational system."

PM Expects ICJ Decision In This Term

And, finally from the Prime Minister tonight, he gave the audience in Belmopan an update on Belize's case at the ICJ which he is confident will be completed in this term of office:

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I am advised that we are awaiting the date of hearing of the Guatemala - Belize and Belize - Honduras cases from the International Court of Justice."

"I am further advised that it is likely that before the end of this term, we will receive the ICJ judgments."

"We are confident that we will prevail at the ICJ. We are confident that we will retain all our land, sea and islands. We fully expect that the unfounded claims against our territory will be defeated."