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."