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.

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The post BTL Counters Union, Insists Severance Dispute Is Resolved first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Belizeans Split Over New Ruta Maya Finish

Debate over the new La Ruta Maya finish line has jumped off social media and onto the streets of Belize City. Today, we asked residents how they feel about ending the race at the Grand Resort instead of the Belcan Bridge. Vendors worry they’ll lose one of their biggest earning weekends. Longtime fans say the switch chips away at a tradition they’ve honored for decades. Others welcome the change, arguing it could make the finish safer and fairer for paddlers. One thing is clear; however, Belizeans care and they have plenty to say about how this move affects community spirit and livelihoods. Here’s what we heard.

                  Belize City Resident #1

Belize City Resident #1

“People weh really want see the race and done get into it like Cross Country, it turn tradition, people would to go out there, especially the ice man weh shub ih cart and go out there to sell. The small vendors that they call mom and pop. Those are the people that will suffer, because they are looking forward to the day when they can do their special hustle. So, I don’t know what is in it. You have to consult with people that are the organizers.”

                    Belize City Resident #2

Belize City Resident # 2

“One of the main problems is that I watch the race for several years and they often have problems coming into the creek because it is narrow. And some of the athletes they are so close to win, that by the time they fall out the boat, it is an advantage. So if they have the finish line where it is clear then everybody have a fair chance of winning the race. I agree with the change.”

              Belize City Resident #3

Belize City Resident #3

“I nuh really watch that like that. So, at the end of the day, if they want to change it then they can change it. I don’t have the power to change that back. So, I just leave everything and I stress pan things weh I can change you know. Anything I cant change I don’t stress on.”

                Belize City Resident #4

Belize City Resident #4

“I don’t think that is something that should have been done, because that is the route of the Mayans. That is the original route. So, they should not change it you know. This only have ten miles. I cant go up there and come back. It might shut down on me and I can’t come back home. So, I might have to watch it on TV now.”

                Belize City Resident #5

Belize City Resident #5

“Basically I think that the people have the say and the contestants that are in the competition. So I think if they don’t feel pleased about what is happening then they should voice their opinion and do something about it. I don’t really guh watch La Ruta Maya, but the city nuh agree with, so more than likely it’s something they are not please by.”

                  Belize City Resident #6

Belize City Resident #6

“Why they don’t keep on doing it they way they were doing, because all of us already use to watching it at Civic every year. So why will they change it for, why?”

Belize City Resident #7

“Basically they are doing it where they are making money and we poor people nuh wah make none. So they are doing it where they are making money. So it change us from making money and surviving.”

As public reaction grows, the finish‑line dispute has become less about location and more about fairness, tradition, and who the change really serves.

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The post BCA Warns of Major Action Against Ruta Maya first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

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                     Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, National Celebrations Commission

“We are absolutely looking forward to the Belize at Forty-five celebrations this year. As it relates to the theme competition, as you highlighted, last week Friday, I believe February twentieth, the call went out for the Belize at Forty-five theme competition for this year. Last year, this competition saw just under four hundred submissions and the winning theme, of course, was “Belize at Forty-four: Stronger Together, Rising Forever.” The commission felt that that really captured the spirit of our nation at that time. And, of course, last year we had two winners who were the co-authors of that submission. And so, this competition is really significant for us. The criteria is very straightforward, submissions must be no more than ten words. So we like a theme or submissions that are extremely concise, straight to the point but really captures the Belizean spirit during the independence season. The other criteria is that each person has only up to three entries. So if you’re making a submission, you can make a submission, but no more than three entries or else your submissions will be disqualified. We are also prohibiting the use of AI this year, and so entries will be tested for an AI score and those who exceed a certain percentage, forty to fifty percent, will be disqualified. Of course, the deadline has been set for early April. April tenth, to be precise, end of the day on April tenth. The price is being increased to two thousand dollars this year, as opposed to one thousand dollars, which it has been for the past couple of years.”

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The Belize Fisheries Department has wrapped up an intensive 10-day training programme designed to sharpen its data skills and bring fisheries management into the high-tech era. The course, titled “R Studio Training for Fisheries Data Analysis”, focused on one big goal: using smarter data to protect Belize’s marine resources.

The training is part of an ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation and the University of Belize. Leading the sessions was Dr Arlenie Rogers, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology, who specialises in marine affairs and fisheries science.

Participants got hands-on experience using R programming to import and clean complex fisheries data, run detailed analyses, create professional-grade charts and graphics, and even build models to track fish stock trends and ecosystem changes.

Sponsored by RF&G Insurance

With climate change, habitat degradation, and increased fishing pressure all impacting Belize’s waters, managing fisheries today requires more than basic record-keeping. It demands transparent, science-driven decision-making. By adopting advanced statistical tools, the Department is boosting its ability to make evidence-based policies that support sustainability and long-term marine health.

The initiative is funded through the Government Strategic Allocation project aimed at strengthening marine governance and developing a Marine Spatial Plan for Belize. Support comes from the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future under its GSA mechanism, with backing from the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit.

The post Fisheries Department Levels Up with High-Tech Data Training first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                     Rafael Dominguez

Those findings triggered the appointment of an interim administrator in 2023 and, eventually, Dominguez’s removal in May 2024. Dominguez challenged the move, calling it disproportionate and procedurally flawed, while also claiming more than eight hundred thousand dollars in severance and contract benefits. But the High Court didn’t buy it. The judge ruled that the Registrar acted within the law, gave Dominguez a fair chance to respond, and provided adequate reasons for letting him go. Most of Dominguez’s compensation claims were thrown out, though the court did say he’s entitled to severance under SFXCU’s internal rules. The Administrator must now recalculate that figure. The Central Bank says the ruling reinforces its mandate to safeguard the credit union sector and assures members that oversight and inspections will continue.

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The post High Court Backs SFXCU Management Shake-Up first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                          Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“We also have Iguana Street in the Collett constituency which is underway. We have Arlington Drive in Port Loyola which is underway. It received the first quote of chip and seal. So we are very happy about how that project is coming along. Then there is Lakeview and Seagull which were rehabilitated just a few days ago in the Queen Square Division. Then we have Western Avenue, which is something that I am personally excited about. Western Avenue is being rehabilitated as well, that started last week. So I know at the moment they are working on the drainage and then they will actually start with the street works. It is a critical artery in an out of the Lake Independence Area. So that highlights some of the major infrastructural projects we have ongoing.”

City Hall Hosts Town Hall on Major Upgrades

As City Hall pushes ahead with street repairs across Belize City, from Iguana Street to Western Avenue, residents will soon have a chance to weigh in on even bigger projects reshaping the Old Capital’s infrastructure. The Belize City Council has scheduled a town hall to update the public on plans for the George Price Highway upgrade and the replacement of both the Swing Bridge and Belcan Bridge, and Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller says the session will help residents understand how the works will affect them and what rerouting to expect.

                     Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“Coming out of that meeting , one of the suggestions shared is that we should have a public consultation to share this with the wider community, share all the details of these three projects with the wider community so that they know what to expect as these are major projects that will to some extent impact their day to day navigation of the city while these projects are begin executed. So again I must give thanks to MIDH for their partnership. We are very excited about these projects. They will certainly be beneficial to the city and our residents and that remains at the forefront for us.”

Belama Street Dispute Awaits Government Decision

As Belama residents press for answers on the future of El Celaso Street, City Hall is juggling another community concern, this time tied to major infrastructure projects already in motion across Belize City. Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller says the petition over the Belama roadway is now before the Ministry of Natural Resources, even as the Council prepares to brief the wider public on major upgrades, including the replacement of the Swing Bridge and Belcan Bridge, at an upcoming town hall meant to help residents understand how the works will affect their daily routines.

                           Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“A petition was submitted that was shared with us at the City. I know the Ministry of Natural Resources was looking at this case, specifically. But I will not have much of an update at this time. I will need to do some follow up and share some more information with you. I am very much familiar with the area, with the case. In fact a number of residents reached out to me pertaining to that case before the petition was submitted and so I keep in tune with the area representative in that regard. That area as I understand it was designated to be a street and some private owner got tittle to those land ahead of the 2020 elections and the residents have communicated their interest in having that area remain a street and they would like to have that street in their immediate community and we support them in that position.”

Miller says he’ll be following up with the ministry, noting that residents remain determined to keep El Celaso as a public street, a position City Hall fully supports.

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Shane Williams, Reporting

In the heart of cane country, industry leaders, government officials and international partners came together to discuss the future the industry. The BACSuF project is being implemented by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) with a twenty-five million U.S. dollar grant funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It’s aim is to help farmers adapt to a changing climate.

              Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel

Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel, Portfolio Manager, Green Climate Fund

“This project is funded by the GCF with grant funding twenty-five million, thirteen million co-financing. It’s meant to focus on the farmers and making sure access to the farmers is met. So how the project was designed and structured, the GCF comes in and derisk the investment. So in the project we actual fund the mechanism to give the seeds to the farmers. So that risk is alleviated and they get the funding for the seeds to begin that process. And also the training is encompassed within that. And not only the seed provision and the training but to create that market mechanism and to make sure that the process is climate-smart so that there is continuity after the project which is about five years.”

The GCF supports climate adaptation and mitigation projects across developing countries, and representatives say BACSuF underscores that mission by targeting one of Belize’s most climate vulnerable industries. Project Manager Darrel Audinette explained that the initiative rests on three main pillars.

                       Darrel Audinette

Darrel Audinette, Project Manager, BACSuF

“Right now the industry is about seventy percent of one variety, so what that means is we are dependent on one variety being successful. That component of the project is the main one. What we are looking at from a menu of eleven varieties, we want to be able to replant ten thousand acres. That would allow us to have diversity within the industry. Diversity means that you have better sustainability within the industry. That’s one of the objectives. The second objective is introducing irrigation and soil management, very critical components to any industry. The sugarcane industry is a rain-fed industry. What that means is it is dependent on the rain. What we want to do is introduce new technology irrigation systems that would enable us to be more predictable in terms of the growth process. Soil health is another important element under that component and so we need to renovate, rejuvenate our soils because generation upon generation of cane farmers have been planting on the same soils. And so the idea of this component is to add biologicals, rejuvenate the soils. And then the last component of it is a major component is looking at the transformation of the industry from both a technological standpoint but in terms of practice, agronomic practice”

Ryan Zuniga, Senior Project Coordinator at 5Cs, spearheaded the proposal. He says success will be measured not only by acreage replanted, but by improved yields, stronger farmer incomes and long-term resilience against droughts and floods.

                     Ryan Zuniga

Ryan Zuniga, Lead Senior Project Development Specialist, CCCCC

“As the executing entity, the Five Cs ensure that all the deliverables and output of the project are realized. So the project has several investment activities and so the Five Cs work with other partners to ensure that it comes to fruition on the ground.”

Shane Williams

“How will you all ensure that the farmers on the ground, the most vulnerable, are the ones who benefit?”

Ryan Zuniga

“That’s a very good question, So this project was designed by the farmers for the farmers. So the entire design of the project took into consideration how we can ensure that the farmers benefit fully from the investment. So for example what we saw today was the varieties. These varieties were developed so the farmers can have seed, actually free of charge. So these seeds are going to be paid for by the project and use as a method to subsidize the replanting cost of the farmers.”

Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, Dr. Osmond Martinez, says oversight and additional support mechanisms will be rolled out simultaneously with the BACSuF project.

               Osmond Martinez

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Transformation

“What has been approved by Cabinet is a hundred and twenty million Belize dollars for the next five years so as to help with farmers’ debt. So the farmers are highly indebted, so there is very limited to no cash flow whereby they can continue to invest in the industry. The second point is replanting. While forty percent of the industry will enjoy replanting under this program, we also have issues that we have sixty percent that we will continue to facilitate through a loan systems to the farmers whereby they can continue to do replanting.”

The hope is that by combining international climate financing with local expertise and farmer participation, the BACSuF project will not only safeguard Belize’s sugar industry but future-proof it. Shane Williams for News Five.

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The post Climate Financing to Strengthen Sugar Industry first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

              Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel

Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel, Regional Focal Point, Green Climate Fund

“Belize has been quite active with the GCF and we have been very supportive. In terms of farming, this is just one of two. But this one is unique because it is for sugarcane farmers in Belize. there is another farming project that just finished as well, market mechanism for farming in different areas of north, central and south Belize. We have some other projects that we are working with the government on with other agencies and we hope that that can come into fruition. And that’s part of our purpose here and our mission in Belize is to listen to all the stakeholder, especially the country because all project has to be country led so the government is our key stakeholder.”

Shane Williams

“I understand there may be a project in the pipeline for the indigenous people. Can you speak about that?”

Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel

“Well I can’t speak in details about it but yes, as the project lead on that initiative, the concept note was endorsed. So right now that is another reason why we are. We are going to the community tomorrow to hear the community, see the sight, assess what the ideas are for the projects and then we will working closely with the Five C’s and the Julian Cho Society on how they will building on the funding proposals to be submitted to us.”

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The post Belize Among Most Aggressive In Pursuit of Climate Funds first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Minister of Blue Economy and Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, told News Five that while the situation is concerning, preparations are already underway. “It’s always concerning, but we have been preparing… We’re planning out as a Sargassum task force about getting the funding. The barriers are going to be installed. We’re getting beach rigs, especially for Placencia,” Perez said.

Perez admitted that the sheer volume of Sargassum could overwhelm cleanup efforts and said the government is looking beyond short-term responses. He pointed to long-term solutions now under discussion, “whereby we are engaging with companies who will be able to come in and convert that material into energy.”

He explained that while such projects will take time, the goal is to have systems in place within the next three to five years that can turn the seasonal challenge into a renewable energy source.

Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Service of Belize reported that the latest satellite imagery shows a few Sargassum mats offshore and along coastal areas. Northerly winds are expected to keep most mats offshore in the short term, but more mats are likely to drift ashore by mid- to late week.

The probability of Sargassum impact for San Pedro Town, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, and Placencia is currently at a medium level, with expected impacts described as moderate.

The post San Pedro Sees Early Sargassum Landfall first appeared on Greater Belize Media.