Kileru Awich

Kileru Awich, Internal Legal Counsel, Belize Telemedia Limited

“You have to understand that this matter of severance has evolved significantly between November and February. There was the company’s initial position, which was that we are going to satisfy severance obligations for those who are within the 6-year limitation period. And if you are outside of the six-year limitation period, the company would not voluntarily pay any severance. Now, the six percent that was paid to those former employees who left within six years, that six was arrived at because the company at that point was not contemplating paying beyond the six-year. Now, you have to appreciate that the company’s position has changed since then, and the company is now going to pay severance payments to those former employees who left within 6 years prior. So the considerations are now very different in terms of interest, because the company has agreed to settle obligations which it has been advised are not statue barred. And then I also need to add that interest is not as of right. This interest which litigants get comes from statutory, from the Senior Courts Act, and you have to plead it. You plead it in your claim at the court, and you succeed in your claim, and the court determines your interest under that provision of the Senior Courts Act. So the company paying interest now is actually the company paying beyond what it is required to pay, because these matters have not gone to court. Only the matter of Erven Marin and his fellow litigants went to court. And that gives you full context as to why.”

Interest Standoff Freezes BTL–Union Negotiations

Negotiations between Belize Telemedia Limited and the Belize Communications Workers for Justice have stalled, as both sides dig in over whether interest should apply to outstanding severance payments. While BCWJ accuses the company of delaying and acting in bad faith, BTL insists it has already settled all court‑ordered payouts and is prepared to process additional claims under Section 183 of the Labour Act. The sticking point now is interest: the union wants terms reflecting what a court might award, but BTL argues that any settlement outside the courtroom requires give‑and‑take. According to Chief Human Resource Officer Kendra Santos, the company is willing to pay interest beginning from the November 2025 benchmark set out in the CCJ ruling, an offer BTL says goes beyond its legal obligations, given how the severance issue has evolved in recent months.

                    Kendra Santos

Kendra Santos, Chief Human Resource Officer, Belize Telemedia

“So if we’re both saying, we’re talking and we’re both saying we don’t want to go to court, the expectation that we will give and you will get everything that you believe you should get if you go to court cannot be the premise that we’re talking, in our view. You can’t think that you will end up getting everything that you believe you would get if you go to court. If it is that we’re talking outside of court and we want to settle, both parties have to agree to get something and to give up something. That’s the spirit in which we approach the discussions. So, your question regarding interest, we had a lot discussion around whether the interest awarded by the court, if you go to court, is applicable or not. We even conceded to the fact that it’s not that interest that’s applicable on the table, the company’s prepared to pay the interest, given that if you want to talk about cost of living adjustment or the fact that there is some premium, my words, premium, if you will, to be given on these monies because they were not paid at the time it was due. And so the company is saying, well, if it is that your argument is that you only became aware of how this severance payment really should be made once and for all, notwithstanding that you’ve asked for years outside of court, but that the CCJ judgment has clarified it for all and sundry, then a good marker to start the interest, because you say I could not have reasonably known that I needed to claim within six years of leaving, I only knew that this was supposed to be the case, November 2025. The company’s prepared to pay the interest from November 2025, benchmarking the six percent against interest that was awarded for those who actually went to court and the court in its own discretion awarded that six percent for them as part of the judgment, right?” 

BTL Rejects Bad‑Faith Claim as Talks Stall

As severance negotiations between Belize Telemedia Limited and the Belize Communications Workers for Justice remain frozen over an interest dispute, BTL is also refuting claims that it acted in bad faith. The company maintains it never walked away from the table and says it continued improving its offers even as talks grew tense. According to Chief Human Resource Officer Kendra Santos, the union’s approach at their last meeting lacked the professionalism needed for productive dialogue. BTL is now urging former employees to contact the company directly, arguing that they can still access their severance outside of BCWJ’s negotiation process.

                      Kendra Santos

Kendra Santos, Chief Human Resource Officer, Belize Telemedia

“I will put it mildly to say that the manner in which we were engaged this last time around, this second meeting, the tone, the spirit, the lack of professional expertise as we would want to see it, was what we were engaged with. And we recognize that for those two reasons, being so far apart, you’re trying to get the six percent and everything that comes with a court judgment, along with the approach, is not the spirit in which we can reasonably negotiate. And that is why, in our view, for those two reasons, it broke down. And why we’re here today, to tell everyone in Belize that the company wants to move forward without delay and settle with everybody in the same manner. So whether you are being represented by BCWJ, whether you write on your own to the mailbox, whether you come to an attorney, whatever it is, BTL’s board has approved that you want to pay and we want to pay in this manner and we think it’s reasonable to give the severance and interest from November 2025, when the judgment was handed down, to whenever we actually got a check for persons.”

Reporter

“Would you, the other side has accused you all of negotiating in bad faith.”

Kendra Santos

“What would be your response to that? The response to that is, we do not agree with terminologies, because we watch the news. We don’t agree with terminologies of us low-balling and in bad faith. So us, bad faith would have been if we weren’t prepared to sit at the table in the first place, if we were not making improved positions, not once did we reduce our position, not once did we withdraw from the table, not once did we get up from the table and walk away.”

And tonight, BTL says it’s ready to move forward, urging former employees to reach out directly as it maintains the breakdown in talks had more to do with tone and approach than any unwillingness to negotiate.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

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                  Wilfred Elrington

Wilfred Elrington SC, Attorney for the Defense

“Just another adjournment, nothing new.”

Shane Williams

“was the crown not able to present its…”

Wilfred Elrington

“Yeah, the crown had difficulty getting its submission in so this matter adjourned until the third. So nothing big, just procedural.”

                           Alifa Elrington

Alifa Elrington, Attorney for the Defense

“I believe that there is always a disappointment when you cannot proceed with a trial, either which side. You came prepared to proceed with a trial and we cannot proceed with a trial. However, the decision has been made and we have to go by virtue of what the judge said so we wait and see what happens on Tuesday.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post DPP Misses Deadline, Elrington’s Rape Case Delayed first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Lanza Gets Seven-Year Sentence After Child Sex Conviction first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Beyond the paddling, Penner is urging supporters to show up in solidarity as tensions continue between the Belize Canoe Association and Love FM, the organiser of La Ruta Maya.

“We ask that all paddlers, sponsors and fans come out on Saturday, to show your solidarity, and stand united as we fight against years of disrespect, disregard, abuse, mistreatment and unfair treatment…,” Penner wrote in a social media post. 

Following the race, the Belize Canoe Association plans to hold a meeting to address internal matters and decide on next steps regarding the upcoming Ruta Maya, which has changed its finish line for the first time. 

One of the major discussion points will be whether the association should require that La Ruta Maya be sanctioned by the Belize Canoe Association.

“If we do this and they refuse our suggestion to sanction the race, we would then be able to sanction every paddler that decides to participate in an unsanctioned race,” Penner wrote, adding that this “would then prevent them from being able to paddle in any Belize Canoe Association sanctioned races and it would also disqualify these paddlers to represent Belize in any international races.”

Penner said discussions have already begun about creating an alternative event. “Discussions and preparations have already begun to undermine the present race and create an even better race, but done the right way from day one,” he wrote.

The association is also considering asking Bowen and Bowen to back the paddlers’ actions. If not, a Belikin boycott is on the table. 

Among the protest options to be discussed are a full boycott of the race, a media blackout of Love FM, and symbolic actions at the finish line.

The post Is a La Ruta Maya Boycott Coming? first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

By noon, Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lyn Vidal is required to file a statement outlining the virtual complainant’s position on whether proceedings should be conducted in camera, meaning away from public view.

Justice Nigel Pilgrim made it clear on Wednesday that before he can rule on the matter, the court must formally hear from the complainant. He said that the individual at the centre of the case has a voice that carries equal weight to the defence’s argument for keeping the trial open to the public.

Both sides have already presented submissions, Vidal for the prosecution and Alifa Elrington for the defense, but the judge said the court cannot move forward without clarity on the complainant’s stance.

Once that position is placed on the record, the defense will have the opportunity to respond when the matter resumes at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

The court’s decision could determine whether the proceedings unfold in public view or behind closed doors. We will be in the courtroom and will bring you the latest developments in tonight’s newscast.

The post High Court Awaits Key Filing in Orson Elrington Rape Case first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The Statistical Institute of Belize reported imports growing by 11.7%, an increase of about $28.5 million compared to January 2025. Machinery was the biggest driver, jumping from $61.6 million to $76.1 million as new production equipment arrived. Everyday items also added to the rise, including jerseys, tennis shoes, fertilisers, cigarettes, and even pasture grass seeds.

While most categories grew, construction materials like steel products dipped slightly, showing a slowdown in that sector.

On the export side, Belizean bananas stole the show, climbing from $6.1 million to $7.8 million. Farmers shipped more fruit abroad, earning higher revenues and giving the industry a strong start to 2026. Pepper sauces also made waves, more than doubling their sales compared to last year.

Marine products, especially lobster, slipped a little. Sugar exports also fell, showing how global demand can shift from month to month.

Europe was a major buyer, with earnings from that region more than doubling from $2.1 million to $4.9 million. The United States also increased purchases, rising from $3.5 million to $4.4 million, thanks to conch and pepper sauces. Sales to CARICOM countries fell from $4.3 million to $3.8 million, while the United Kingdom dropped from $4 million to $3.6 million due to fewer banana exports.

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In a statement, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said the vessel entered Cuban territorial waters and was about one nautical mile off Cayo Falcones when it was stopped on Wednesday. Authorities allege the group aboard the Florida-registered boat opened fire first, sparking a gun battle in which a Cuban officer was wounded.

Cuban officials claim the 10 people on board were Cuban nationals residing in the United States and were planning “an infiltration with terrorist aims.” Weapons recovered from the boat allegedly included handguns, assault rifles, improvised explosive devices and other tactical gear.

An additional suspect has reportedly been detained and confessed, according to Cuban authorities.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba would defend itself “with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression against its sovereignty and national stability.”

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From St. Kitts and Nevis, where he was attending meetings with Caribbean leaders, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the incident as “highly unusual” and said Washington would independently verify the facts rather than rely solely on Cuban government accounts.

Rubio noted that the vessel was not carrying U.S. government personnel. He added that the United States would investigate what those aboard were doing in Cuban waters.

Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba, has been a vocal critic of Havana’s Communist government. On Wednesday, he reiterated that “Cuba’s status quo is unacceptable” and called for “dramatic reforms” that would open space for economic and political freedoms.

The shooting comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana. Just weeks ago, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of Cuba, and blocked oil shipments from Venezuela to the island, worsening Cuba’s already severe fuel shortages.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Cuba to “make a deal” or face consequences, while tightening pressure on the island’s leadership. However, on Wednesday the U.S. Treasury Department said it would ease certain small private-sector transactions, including some oil sales, aimed at supporting the Cuban people for commercial and humanitarian purposes.

Cuba’s Interior Ministry framed the incident within this broader context, stating that “in the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters” and defend its sovereignty.

The post Cuba Says Armed Group on U.S.-Registered Speedboat Planned ‘Terrorist Infiltration’ first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The increase suggests that people felt a little less pessimistic about their current situation and about making big purchases, even as optimism about the future dipped slightly.

Sentiment about current economic conditions and household finances rose 3.8%, moving from 43.4 in December to 45.1 in January. This shows that more families felt their financial situation had improved compared to the previous month.

Confidence about buying big-ticket items like homes, cars, and appliances showed a small improvement. While people remained cautious, they were slightly more willing to consider major purchases.

On the other hand, optimism about the next twelve months fell 0.7%, suggesting that while people felt somewhat better about the present, they were less hopeful about the year ahead.

Confidence varied across districts. Corozal saw the biggest improvement, up 7.1%, driven by stronger expectations and present conditions. Stann Creek, however, recorded the sharpest decline, dropping 13.7%, with residents more pessimistic about buying durable goods and the future outlook.

By ethnic group, confidence rose sharply among people in the “Other” category and improved among the Maya community. Meanwhile, sentiment weakened among Mestizo/Hispanic and Garifuna consumers, who reported lower confidence than the previous month.

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The post Belizeans Feel Slightly Better About Money, But Worry About the Future first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Rubio made the remarks during a closed-door session with leaders of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM), who are meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis for their annual summit.

“Irrespective of how some of you may have individually felt about our operations and our policy toward Venezuela,” Rubio said, according to a transcript released by the U.S. State Department, “Venezuela is better off today than it was eight weeks ago.”

Several Caribbean governments had raised concerns about the legality of Maduro’s capture last month and the broader implications for regional sovereignty. Rubio dismissed those concerns, arguing that since Maduro’s removal, and the effective U.S. takeover of Venezuela’s oil sector, interim authorities have made “substantial” progress.

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He claimed developments in the past two months included steps that “eight or nine weeks ago would have been unimaginable.”

The operation was praised a day earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, calling it “an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States.”

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly supported U.S. military operations in the southern Caribbean Sea and confirmed her talks with Rubio covered Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela.

When asked whether recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats constituted extrajudicial killings, she said her government’s legal advice indicated they were not.

Meanwhile, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, who chairs CARICOM, warned that the region stands at a “decisive hour” as the global order shifts.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness highlighted concerns about Cuba’s worsening humanitarian crisis, cautioning that prolonged instability there could impact migration, security and economic stability across the Caribbean.

The post Rubio Defends U.S. Removal of Maduro at CARICOM Summit first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Groceries got a little more expensive. Fresh meats, bread, and drinks like coffee and juices all went up. Stewed pork rose the most, jumping nearly 18%.

Rent went up, and so did the price of cooking gas. A 100-pound cylinder of LPG now costs $130.63, about five dollars more than last January. Going to the doctor or buying medicine costs more, with surgery fees increasing almost 6%.

The good news came at the gas pump. Premium gasoline dropped by $1.12 per gallon, regular fell by $1.03, and diesel went down by $0.52.

Punta Gorda saw the biggest increase at 2.6%, with higher costs for food, LPG, and personal items. Orange Walk had the lowest rate at -1.9%, thanks to cheaper fuel and local produce like tomatoes, carrots, and beans.

Between December and January, prices overall fell by 0.5%, mostly because fuel got cheaper.

The post Cheaper Fuel Brings Relief as Other Costs Climb first appeared on Greater Belize Media.