Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1

NO. 3444 BELIZE CITY, FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021 (32 PAGES) $1.50 Daytime murder in BNTU Simmering Belmopan market

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) has developed a plan of action for its members following the final budget consultation meeting between the union and the Briceño administration. In a release dated Wednesday, March 10, the BNTU laid out 7 steps to be taken by its members leading up to the scheduled budget presentation on March 26, 2021. The release states, “The Government representatives, on one hand, are saying that the proposed measures are not a done deal; however, they are also saying that the proposals are necessary to meet their target. They were not amenable to changes to the targeted BELMOPAN, Tues. Mar. 9, 2021 amounts in their Please turn to„Page 31 A man was brazenly murdered in front of hundreds of people, in broad daylight on Tuesday, March 9 at the Belmopan Market Plaza. The victim, identified as Reginaldo Ruiz, was GOB proposes $240 carrying out his daily work as a fish vendor in Belmopan when he was million in salary cuts approached by a lone gunman and Please turn to„Page 30 BELMOPAN, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 After weeks of budget consultations with various social 25,000 partners and stakeholders in a number of economic sectors, the Government of Belize has sent a vaccines from letter to labor union leaders India are here Please turn to„Page 31 BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 8, 2021 At about 2:00 p.m on Monday, March 8, 2021, United Airlines Flight No. Budget presentation PSU rebuffs PM 1408 arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport carrying 25,000 delayed doses of Covid-19 vaccines donated Briceño’s remarks to Belize by the people and the government of India. BELIZE CITY, Wed. The Minister of Health and Wellness Mar. 10, 2021 During an Please turn to„Page 30 interview with the media this Wednesday, Prime Minister Hon. John by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) COVID-19 Briceño informed the public that the budget BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Mar. 11, 2021 for fiscal year 2021- There has been a continuous back and forth between Update 2022 will be the Government of Belize and public officers following (See story on page 29) the announcement of a proposed 10% reduction in the Please„ turn to salaries of public workers. While the consultations remained ongoing up until Page 30 this week, members of the Please turn to„Page 31 CSSPAR says UDP government overly (See story on page 2) politicized PSC NTUCB joins APSSM in support of Dr. Manzanero (See story on page 20) Page 2 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 Senate passes Central Bank Amendment Bill

public. When those are made public Smith, who represents the unions of they may be implemented with the the country, decided to abstain from approval of the Minister, and those voting on this bill. During her are things that are designed to use the presentation, she shared the concerns liquidity that is sitting in the system of the National Trade Union Congress and doing nothing. And to say to the of Belize (NTUCB) and said that the domestic banks, there is not any terminology “unusual and exigent individual or it is not the Government economy and financial or systemic that is going to be doing anything, but circumstances” was too broad for the it is saying to the domestic banks that union’s liking. They asked for the the monies that are sitting there idly establishment of a defined set of that are not being put to productive criteria that would be used to use should be put to productive use determine exactly what scenarios fall and be made available to the private under the scope of the terms in the sector.” Senator Courtenay stated. amendment. He shared that the purpose of the “What we don’t want to happen, BELMOPAN, Tues. Mar. 9, 2021 provide liquidity to the system and bill is not to aid any non-performing Madam President, is for mischief to On Tuesday the upper House of not to buffer failing companies, company, and added that these types be created, because it is not clear, Parliament passed the Central Bank according to government senator of legislation have been used in other and we give too much of a space; it Amendment Bill with a divisional Hon. Eamon Courtenay. parts of the world successfully. The is too broad that persons can do what vote of 9 senators voting yes, the 3 “What the bill does is to provide a country is attempting to offset the they believe they are able to do when UDP senators voting no, and senator framework for something to be done. economic fallout by making financing something is too broad.” Senator for the unions, Hon. Elena Smith, It provides for the Central Bank to more accessible, Senator Courtenay Smith explained. abstaining. The amendment to the prepare and produce policies and said in his pitch for the amendment Senator representing the business 2011 legislation is intended to plans that it will, first of all, make that the government is focused on community, Hon. Kevin Herrera starting the march back to economic asked for an additional layer of normalcy. With vaccines now in the oversight for the Government and the NTUCB joins APSSM in country, the PUP administration is Minister of Finance. He also prioritizing “bouncing back” the emphasized that the system has to be economy, he said. properly managed to ensure that that support of Dr. Manzanero And while the PUP’s are hopeful the added liquidity does not have an (From page 1) that this new amendment will bring inflationary effect on the system. some financial relief to our system, “Perhaps an additional oversight various transfers within the office of the UDP senators flatly rejected the should be added to the process, the DHS, “[Manzanero] remains the proposed bill. Lead Opposition perhaps including the social partners. legally appointed and commissioned Senator, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte Again, we’re talking about public Director of Health Services, argued that the bill would need some finances... so I think some oversight unblemished and committed to the “fleshing out” and that the details of mechanism would be very good to cause of healthcare in Belize.” the Central Bank’s new roles would help manage and ensure that the The NTUCB has also expressed its have to be shared with the public first. intended, that what the bill intends, utter disappointment in the Minister “We’re not getting at this point the are secured and that it does not go of Health and Wellness and the Chief details of how it will work and I down a path that we will not like or Executive Officer in the Ministry, and think, Madam President, that that we don’t foresee at this point,” said in reference to claims made by the needs to come fast and furious. Hon. Herrera. MOHW that Dr. Manzanero indirectly Yesterday would be too late. Because During his remarks to end the increased the number of coronavirus then the financial community needs debate surrounding the bill, Senator deaths by failing to accept BAHA’s to appreciate exactly how this Courtenay said, “Madam President, offer to assist in testing, it stated, “The program will run and needs to be tens of thousands of Belizeans are by Dayne Guy COVID-19 pandemic, at that point in confident that the Central Bank will unemployed, thousands of time, was foreign to Belize and unique not give any preferential treatment to businesses have failed, thousands BELIZE CITY, Belize, Thurs. Mar. in all aspects.” A press release from anybody,” Senator Peyrefitte more are on the edge and we say that 11, 2021 the NTUCB further said, “There was commented. we are currently facing an urgent, The National Trade Union no rule book in relation to this He added, “They must not just be unique, unusual and exigent Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has Pandemic.” The union went on to independent, they must also seem to financial circumstance, and we have joined the Association of Public describe the allegations against Dr. be independent. Because what you to have instruments designed by the Service Senior Managers in a public Manzanero as ludicrous. are asking the Central Bank to do now Central Bank promulgated and stance of opposition to what the two The NTUCB further stated in its in this bill is to take an active role in made public so that access can be unions consider the unjust and press release that it believes “these the economy, and if they take an had to some of those funds in unprofessional treatment of Dr. trumped-up charges are retroactively active role in the economy, exactly managed and regulated ways in Marvin Manzanero, Director of being proffered as a desperate attempt what is that role?” order to stimulate, to create jobs and Health Services (DHS). to justify a need for his replacement As mentioned, Senator Elena to get Belize bounced back betta.” Back in February, Dr. Manzanero and serve as a clear disregard for the was placed on administrative leave constitutional guidelines governing so that an investigation could be not only the office of the DHS, but No deaths in 4-car pile-up carried out into alleged misconduct on all Public Officers. The Union Dr. Manzanero’s part. This was done believes these allegations bear no days after there was public outcry substance, rather it demonstrates the on George Price Highway following reports of the doctor’s blatant and unwarranted political supposed demotion and reassignment interference in the Public Service.” BELIZE CITY, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 other commuters. This served as a to the HIV Unit. His position, at the “The NTUCB reiterates its A four-car road traffic accident on sufficient alert for the first few time, was occupied by Acting support to the APSSM and by the George Price Highway was vehicles, but not long after, said the Director of Health Services, Dr. extension to Dr. Manzanero. The reported on Wednesday morning. vendor, a vehicle came speeding Melissa Diaz-Musa, who chose to Congress calls on the Ministry and Fortunately, there were no casualties. down the road and crashed into the vacate the post as a result of all the the CEO of Health and Wellness to The accident took place near the parked vehicle, which caused several controversy surrounding it. respect the rule of law and allow the Tropical Park community. Reports are other vehicles to crash. The NTUCB is claiming that Dr. Public Service to operate free of that a fruit vendor’s truck was having In total, four vehicles, inclusive of Manzanero was denied the due partisan political interference as mechanical difficulties, and a nut for a mini-bus, an Isuzu d-max pickup, and process he deserves, and it has outlined in the current one of his rear wheels fell off, causing two other SUVs were damaged, and a classified the manner in which he has administration’s good governance the wheel to detach from the vehicle. woman had to be extricated from her been treated as malpractice. agenda. We stand strong behind our The vendor had to park on the road, pickup. According to the NTUCB, despite the Affiliate for justice,” the NTUCB but not before he placed branches on As mentioned, no one was badly accusations made against him and the release further said. that portion of the highway to alert injured. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 3 Phase 1b/c of vaccination Teachers respond to campaign begins proposed salary cuts

BELMOPAN, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 Earlier this week, following a sitting of the Senate, president of the BNTU, Senator Elena Smith told local media that teachers may never be willing to take a salary cut. The members of the BNTU were surveyed after a five-point proposal penned by the Government of Belize’s Financial BELIZE CITY, Tues. Mar. 9, 2021 those persons in phase 1 of the Secretary, Joseph Waight, was sent The Ministry of Health and vaccination rollout to make to the four unions that had been Wellness (MOHW) is calling all arrangements to be part of the involved in budget consultations with persons over the age of 60 and those immunization process. GOB: the Public Service Union who have special conditions such as Those healthcare workers who have (PSU), the Belize National Teachers HIV or cancer, or are on dialysis to not yet been vaccinated, along with Union (BNTU), the National Trade pre-register and make an appointment those persons who fall under 1b and Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), to be vaccinated at their nearest 1c of phase one, are currently being and the Association of Public Senior whatsoever. We understand that the healthcare facility. vaccinated from the batch of 25,000 Service Managers (APSSM). country is in a serious situation, and As of March 10, 2021, 2,489 jabs of the Covishield vaccine donated In that document, the government our teachers are concerned that you persons have received their first jab of by India. proposed an approximate 10% know what, it’s a bit unfair because the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reduction of public workers’ salaries we did not create this situation, but Thanks to donations from the estimates that a total of 4,000 healthcare for 3 years and a freeze on their we have to be the ones to suffer it governments of Barbados and India, our workers are currently active within increments for that same period. seems for those decisions that were inoculation program commenced private and public facilities across the While the BNTU president could made on our behalf,” said Smith. without delay, and continues. country, and knoema.com estimates the not share any details on the union’s On Wednesday, a final consultation Hopes are that the allocation of total population of persons over the age position, she stated that they will session between the BNTU executive Covid-19 vaccines from the COVAX of 60 in Belize to be 30,370. follow the mandate issued by the and the Government of Belize was facility will arrive sometime before the A second jab of the AstraZeneca union’s membership as they go scheduled with the hope that the two end of April. vaccine is required in order for forward in negotiations. parties could come to a final Until then, the MOHW is calling all immunization to be complete. “The first reaction has been, no to understanding. On the same day, salary cuts, point-blank, and I can’t teachers in Dangriga staged a protest say it any other way. Our teachers are in the Culture Capital to express their saying that at this point in time they opposition to the proposed salary Belize City Councilors cannot afford any salary cuts cuts. Officially Sworn In by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) live, can work and can visit our Middle-man facilitates beautiful city by the sea,” Mayor BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Mar. 11, 2021 Wagner remarked. Patt’s Tacoma purchase On Wednesday, March 10, PUP party Both the Mayor and Prime Minister officials and stalwart PUP supporters Briceño also noted, and celebrated, the BELIZE CITY, Tues. Mar. 9, 2021 arrived at the Biltmore Plaza for the fact that the country’s central The Commission of Inquiry tasked swearing in of the newly elected Belize government, city councils and town with investigating the sale of City Council. As previously reported, councils across the country are now government assets prior to last year’s the PUP delivered a devastating defeat aligned for the first time in over a general elections continued its to the UDP and secured sixty-five of decade. Hon. Briceño issued an outpour questioning of key persons involved the sixty-seven seats which were of gratitude to the constituents of Belize in those transactions on Tuesday, contested in the municipal elections and to those who blazed the campaign March 9, 2021. The first witness countrywide. trails. He also spoke, however, on the called was Juvencio Herrera, the At the ceremony, which was attended way forward, and urged the Belize City person who facilitated the purchase by the Prime Minister, the PUP Council to work toward delivering what of a government-owned 2020 Toyota chairman, and the chief of staff of the was promised in the party’s manifesto Tacoma by former Deputy Prime PUP, the returning mayor, Bernard to the residents of Belize City: Minister, Hugo Patt. Wagner, and his team of ten councilors “We can say that it was not just Herrera told the commission that took the oath of office, after which the victory for democracy and the P.U.P., he assisted Patt, whom he considers Mayor himself delivered an but it was also a commitment to our a friend, in acquiring the vehicle from encouraging vote of thanks and a Plan Belize. And so, to all of you the Government of Belize, but has but he said that shortly after the reflective message on the work Councillors, my first instruction to you never driven, or even seen the general elections, Patt told him that completed as well as the work ahead as your party leader and yes, as your interior of the vehicle. He said that he would not be able to purchase the for the City Council: prime minister, is that you need to he secured a loan from Kelvin Li, vehicle. It was at this point that “Today, we pause amidst the daily, become familiar with Plan Belize. Your whom he described as a business Herrera asked Ivan Leiva, Deputy almost Herculean task of keeping our work is to make Plan Belize a reality partner of his. Readers would recall Commissioner of Lands, to sell the city clean, of trying to ensure that our for the residents of Belize City. This that Li appeared for questioning at vehicle for him, as a means to recover city is one of the safest and best places means that you must first help us with the last meeting of the Commission the loan funds and repay Li. in the world to live and of continuing our efforts at defeating COVID-19 in of Inquiry, and at that meeting the The vehicle was ultimately sold, to construct this beautiful nation of ours Belize City. Your efforts should be to chairman of the commission, Andrew and Herrera was paid his asking to celebrate the inauguration of the help us create jobs in Belize City so Marshalleck, SC, asked him about a price of $65,000 in cash, which was Belize City Council 2021-2024. We that we can get our people back to host of land transactions that were delivered by Leiva. Herrera told the have labored mightily over the past work,” said Hon. Briceño. executed seemingly to benefit him by commission that he then delivered the three years, and I’ve had to hold tight The Belize City Council held their the Lands Department — with the cash to Belize City to Kelvin Li to and sacrifice the past twelve months first caucus meeting on Thursday, approval of Hugo Patt. It is Li’s funds complete his loan payment. particularly, but through the worst where internal matters, including the that were used to finance the According to Herrera, during the health crisis in living memory. With distribution of portfolios, were purchase of the vehicle for former transaction to purchase the vehicle, sweat and sacrifice we have strived to discussed. When interviewed, Mayor Minister Patt. he never saw a letter from the Vehicle ensure not only that the garbage is Wagner shared that one immediate During his recounting of the Care Unit, although a letter of picked up, but that the drains, the canal, priority of the council will be to finalize transaction, Herrera shared that Patt approval was addressed to him. the traffic flow and that the lights come the CBA with the Christian Workers had verbally agreed to repay him on, but that our people and visitors can Union. within three months of the purchase, Please turn to„Page 30 Page 4 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 Two Mexicans charged after Blue Creek crash-landing

by Dayne Guy a foreign aircraft, the police went to At the site, the police detained of a controlled drug and 50-year-old the scene of the crash-landing on the Mexican nationals, Humberto Ramon Lopez Perez, who has been BLUE CREEK, Orange Walk, Fri. Blue Creek Community airstrip and Miranda Gonzalez, 39, and has charged for landing an aircraft Mar. 5, 2021 saw the plane. charged him with for the possession without permission. On Friday, March 5, 2021, two The front of the plane — a white Mexican nationals apparently crash- and maroon Cessna 210 with the landed a plane in the Blue Creek area markings “XBNVX” — was BELTRAIDE participates of Orange Walk. Permission had not extensively damaged. A search of the been given for the plane to enter aircraft by police led to the discovery Belizean airspace, and after being of aviation fuel, three navigational in the Mexico-Belize tipped off that there had been devices, Mexican pesos and 0.6 unauthorized entry into the country of grams of suspected cocaine. Business E-roundtable (PSA) with Mexico with a view to strengthening CEO Mai represents Belize in bilateral trading, and investment opportunities to meeting to address equitable leverage Belize as a catalyst for Mexican firms to enter the Caribbean market. vaccine distribution The event officially started at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 5, with one- on-one meetings between Belizean representatives and Mexican companies from Quintana Roo. These meetings each involved a by Dayne Guy wide range of topics, including software development, BELIZE CITY, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 transportation and tourism services, This year’s first bilateral virtual logistics and customs services, trade mission between Mexico and supply solutions, education, Belize was a virtual business consultancy, construction E-roundtable discussion and renewable energy. designed to foster bilateral trade and On behalf of the Government of boost the region’s economy.This Belize, Dr. Leroy Almendarez, event came as a collaborative effort Executive Director of Belize Trade among the Ministry of Economic and Investment Development Service by Dayne Guy Etienne reiterated this sentiment, Development of Quintana Roo, (BELTRAIDE), delivered an address stating, “No one should be left behind COPARMEX Quintana Roo and the in the context of doing business in BELMOPAN, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 in having access to the vaccines.” She Embassy of Mexico to Belize. It was Belize, with added focus on bilateral Vaccine doses remain limited. further emphasized the importance of facilitated by the Minister of trade and investment ties between There are not enough vaccines to go the COVAX facility and PAHO’s role Economic Development of Quintana Belize and Mexico. The Mexican around; in addition, what is available in providing equitable access to Roo, Mrs. Rosa Elena Lozano; the Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Martha is not being distributed equally. vaccines for all countries. president of COPARMEX Quintana Zamarripa Rivas, also mediated a Wealthy countries have made The main purpose of the meeting Roo, Mr. Sergio León; and Mr. Dyon dialogue, aimed at fostering considerable headway in dispersing was “to discuss the fair, transparent, Elliot from the Belize Chamber of commercial ties between Quintana vaccines, while some smaller nations equitable, efficient distribution of the Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Roo and Belize, in support of post- are yet to receive their first doses. In COVID-19 vaccines in the SICA The meeting’s main areas of focus pandemic recovery efforts between last week’s weekly COVID-19 media region.” Dr. Etienne further asked the included advancing the negotiations stakeholders and private sector briefing, PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa region’s representatives to support on the Partial Scope Agreement companies. Etienne said, “This disparity harms PAHO’s Revolving Fund, in order to our principles of solidarity. But more allow for the procurement of than that, it’s a self-defeating strategy. vaccines, syringes, and related health Los Lagos store As long as COVID-19 endures in one supplies. part of the world, the rest of the world At this meeting, Belize’s can never be safe. The longer we delegation was led by the Chief robbed by three men allow the virus to spread, the greater Executive Officer in the Ministry of by Dayne Guy looking at the store’s surveillance the risk that more dangerous variants Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, system, she saw three male persons emerge, which could complicate Amalia Mai, who was present on LADYVILLE, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 entering the store. control efforts. That’s why it’s vital behalf of Foreign Minister Eamon The Ladyville Police Department is Molina reportedly evacuated the store to accelerate access to vaccine doses Courtenay. A press release from the investigating a robbery that took place and called out to her neighbors to contact for all countries, not just the ones with Government of Belize Press Office at Los Lagos store on Friday, March 5. the police. Upon her return, she noticed the most money.” said, “CEO Mai called for continued According to Regina Flores Molina, that the robbers had taken her black Today, in an Extraordinary Meeting regional solidarity to ensure access 35, she was in her store when she heard Samsung S10 cell phone and $200. of the Council of Ministers of Foreign for all to the COVID-19 vaccines in two loud noises that had a sound similar The police have since detained one Affairs of SICA and PAHO, Dr. a timely manner.” to gunshots coming from outside. Upon person in connection with the robbery. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 5

A more humble, sincere UDP will serve us better

The previous government, the United Democratic Party (UDP), the wage bill, and consider retrenchment in the public sector. seemed to always have one eye on winning the next election Rodrigo Campos and Marc Jones, reporting for Reuters on and enriching its members, while it was about the business it March 3, 2021, said that the Belize government and top officials was elected to do. The UDP certainly was successful at the of the IMF have been having online meetings, but our polls, winning consecutive general elections (2012 and 2015) government had not requested a bailout program. According to after gaining office in 2008, and if success for a party in the story, we have a “debt-to-GDP ratio of more than 120%”, government is securing the futures of its members, it did a we “already postponed some debt payments last year”, and we great job there too, but on the matter of the business of the are “heading for default in May.” Belize, the story said, is “a people, the party fell short in a number of areas. serial defaulter.” The party didn’t handle our finances wisely. The UDP certainly Our backs up against the wall, the government has engaged didn’t manage the country with an eye on building up our the unions that represent its employees with the aim of cutting reserves, so when the pandemic hit we found ourselves at the $80 million from government expenditure this year, next year, mercy of the world, having to almost immediately resort to and the year after as well. One proposal before the unions is heavy borrowing to survive. that their members accept a 10% cut in salaries, and a freeze in Out of office, some leaders of the UDP are telling us that they increments. have the solutions to our economic problems. Sadly, for close The Public Service Union (PSU), which represents the to thirteen years too many of the party’s leaders were mute government departments that are involved in revenue while the party misspent our money, corrupt colleagues collections, has led the discussions on ways the government misappropriated public assets, and governance systems that could realize savings. PM Briceño has said the cost-saving should function to protect the properties of the people were measures proposed by the unions are far from sufficient, but abused. Some would suggest the silent partners in crime were the unions disagree: the unions say the government needs to biding their time solely with the selfish aim of forwarding their put more energy into the collection of outstanding revenues, personal ambitions. spend less on transportation, and stop hiring their family and Belizeans keep a watchful eye on the new coronavirus out of friends. concern for both our health and economy. The situation has These discussions are very serious. Cutting salaries is near improved on the health side, and is improving even more with the end of the rope; decreasing the spending power of the development of effective vaccines, but no one knows how thousands of families would not only cause those families direct much impact new variants of pain, it would also suck a lot of capital out of the economy. the virus will have. On the The end of the rope would be retrenchment, which happened economic side, there is a in 1997. The government declaring almost a thousand of its glimmer of hope because of employees redundant in 1997 was bad, and the impact of such the improving situation in the a move in 2021 would be far worse, because there is no place control of the virus, but as it for a worker to go in this Covid-19-ravaged economy, other Amandala(estb. 1969) Business and editorial offices: stands presently where our than the Pantry line. 3304 Partridge Street, Belize economy is concerned, we are To help offset the negative effects a cut in government City, Belize, Central America in desperate need of an expenditure would have, the government has amended the is printed twice weekly by the immediate boost. Central Bank Act, a move that should lead to an injection of Amandala Press. Prime Minister Briceño has liquidity into the system; and to help soften the direct blow to Telephones: 501-280-4703/ said that in bad economic public officers and teachers if the wage cut is implemented, 501-202-4477 times his government believes the government says that it would encourage the DFC and the the cure is to inject capital into National Bank to make available to them 6 to 10 million dollars Publisher: Evan X Hyde the system, but unfortunately for residential mortgages at preferred rates. Editor-in-chief: Marco Lopez there isn’t any. When the Essentially, the government is asking its employees to give Business Manager: Jacinta Hyde pandemic began, our country it a maximum of three years to turn the economy around. Off was able to borrow money, Make-up & Design the top, three years does seem daunting. but now, almost a year later, The UDP managed the economy from 2008 to 2020, so they Artist: Andrea Dennison we have maxed out our credit should know a thing or two, and they should make Executive Secretary: Odessa card, Briceño said. recommendations, but for the nation’s good, they need to be Robinson Smith Way back in May last year, sincere. There is no place for a UDP that is trying to make Compositor: Tyra Welch then Prime Minister, Hon. mileage off the economic tragedy in this country. Lithography: Clive Smith Dean Barrow, said the The UDP shouldn’t have any trouble being humble, because Printers: Kent Brooks handwriting on the wall was of the shellacking they took at the polls in the municipal that the next government of elections, after unwisely attacking the new government wildly. Belize would have to seek help There wasn’t anything they could have done to help them get Please email Correspondence: from the International over in the recent elections, but they could have won some [email protected] Monetary Fund (IMF). respect from the people. They would have, if they had We all recall when he said restrained themselves from blaming the woeful state of the Advertisements to: he grieved for poor Belize, and [email protected] economy on the present administration, and lambasting them, that we absolutely would need 100 days in, for not yet delivering on their promise to make Mailing Address: to get an injection of capital life better for all of us. Amandala Press from abroad, and the The UDP has to trust the people, because the people have 3304 Partridge Street international lenders as a wisdom and they see to the core. The people saw through them c/o P.O. Box 15, condition would demand that in November 2020, and they saw through them earlier this Belize City, Belize we do what they have been month. The UDP needs to humble itself for a while, and be advising us to do for years — more sincere. That seems to be the message the people sent Amandala’s website: introduce pension reform, trim them in November, and March. amandala.com.bz Page 6 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 Belize’s and Guatemala’s Foreign Ministers hold first meeting

BELMOPAN, Thurs. Mar. 4, 2021 was the implementation of the On Thursday, March 4, 2021, the Belize-Guatemala Partial Scope Foreign Ministers for Belize and Trade Agreement (PSA). This Guatemala, Hon. Eamon Courtenay underpinned the importance of and H. E. Pedro Brolo Vila, held revitalizing the administrative their first meeting since assuming institutions of the Partial Scope their respective posts. The gathering Agreement to ensure it functions in was organized by the Organization the most efficient and effective of American States (OAS) at the manner. Minister Courtenay said that Adjacency Zone office near the the administrative commission under western border. the Partial Scope Agreement will A joint press release issued by also be “reinvigorated”. both countries states, “The two The two Foreign Ministers also foreign ministers exchanged updates reaffirmed the importance of in the efforts to strengthen bilateral adherence to the 2005 agreement of relations between Belize and the Framework for Negotiations and Guatemala and agreed to reactivate the Confidence-Building Measures. the Belize-Guatemala Joint During an interview with local Commission.” media, Foreign Minister Courtenay The Commission has not held a shared, “We are relatively new continue building on what has more trade, more cultural, meeting since May 2018. governments, both of us, and we are happened in order to make Belize educational, immigration, and Also reviewed during the meeting trying to lay the foundation or and Guatemala more friendly — defense issues.” New Labour Advisory Board appointed

by Dayne Guy include the chief executive officer of BCCI, Ms. Kim Aikman; Claudette BELMOPAN, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 El Ters, the administrative director The Ministry of Rural of Maheias United Limited; and Transformation, Community Yorshabel Cattouse, manager of Development, Labour and Local member relations at ýBCCI. Government has announced the Alongside these members are three appointment of three new government National Trade Union Congress of representatives to the Labour Belize (N.T.U.C.B.) representatives: Advisory Board. Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser; Mr. Marcel Cardona Cervantes, former N.T.U.C.B. president, Marvin attorney-at-law, was elected to serve Mora; and former president of the as the chairperson of the board, while Belize Water Services Union, Russell Mr. Wilfredo Galvez, business Young. lecturer and labour economist, will As stipulated by Section 20 of the be serving as the board’s deputy Labour Act, Chapter 297 of the Laws chairperson. Notably, the retired of Belize, this board is tasked with Brigadier General, Cedric Borland, studying all matters that affect was also selected as a member of this workers and making advisory board. recommendations to the Minister of The employers’ and workers’ Labour. representatives on the Labour A recent press release from the Advisory Board were selected from ministry states, “The Ministry looks a pool of Belize Chamber of forward to the contributions of the Commerce and Industry and National Labour Advisory Board, as the Trade Union Congress of Belize Ministry collaborates with all members. stakeholders to ensure that employees The Belize Chamber of Commerce and employers are always and Industry (BCCI) representatives protected.” Visit us at www.amandala.com.bz Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 7 Women disproportionately affected by COVID-19 job losses

have left, or have been removed, from per cent, which lowered their overall ILO Regional Employment the workforce, and gender gaps in the regional involvement to 46.4 per cent. Specialist, Roxana Maurizio said, labour markets have become more This marked decrease means that “The pandemic, on the one hand, glaring. The participation of women nearly 12 million women exited the highlighted the vital importance of in the workforce in the region is now regional workforce as a result of the these tasks. On the other hand, it at the lowest point that it has been in pandemic. further exacerbated tensions a decade — with recent advances in Women have been regarding the reconciliation between gender parity in the workplace having disproportionately affected by the labour market work and family seemingly been erased. pandemic due to the roles and responsibilities. To all this must be International Labour Organization responsibilities typically assigned to added the increase in teleworking (ILO) Director, Vinicius Pinheiro, them within their families. Household and work at home in a context of says, “Recovery from the crisis at tasks and caring for children and the closure or suspension of care spaces work must remove the amplification elderly are often perceived as duties associated with confinement and of inequalities caused by COVID-19, to be carried out by women in today’s physical distancing measures,” if we want to achieve sustainable society. The new needs within the Women also comprised a large part economic growth with productive home — for the instruction of children of the workforce in the service sector and quality jobs. On this International who are not in the classrooms and — particularly hospitality services by Dayne Guy Women’s Day it is crucial to reaffirm for the provision of care to those who (restaurants and hotels), which were the commitment to recover the ground are sick — have largely fallen on the the sectors most impacted by the BELIZE CITY, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 lost during the economic and social shoulders of women, who have had downturn in economic activity due to Ten months of the pandemic have debacle in our countries,” to juggle these responsibilities along the virus, so they were seemingly wiped out ten years of Statistics show that in 2020 with their duties in the workplace. disproportionately affected by the progress for women in the workforce. women’s participation in the Many had to leave the workforce to loss of jobs due to the slowdown in Due to the crisis, millions of women workforce steeply declined by 10.3 handle the tasks at home. the sector. A large number of women also were informally employed — providing services such as housekeeping and babysitting, and many of these informal jobs were wiped out as well during the pandemic. Mauricio said that measures must be taken to address this crisis and ensure the social and economic empowerment of young women. “Policies that include women are not only required, but policies for the recovery of employment and labour markets that, from their design and implementation, have a gender perspective so as not to reproduce the difficulties they face in inserting themselves and staying in the labour market,” commented Maurizio. In addition, vocational training can play a huge role in increasing participation of women in occupations that are not traditionally viewed as female activities. Also, it is important to create training regimes for women with low education who have been impacted by the effects of COVID-19. This will help to close the gaps between men and women. Maurizio said, “It is necessary to underpin, even more strongly than before, a process that ensures women greater opportunities for quality employment, training and access to new technologies, reduction of gaps and full compliance with labour rights.”

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Un UDP más humilde y sincero nos servirá mejor

El gobierno anterior, el Partido Demócrata Unido (United Con la espalda contra la pared, el gobierno ha abordado Democratic Party, UDP), parecía tener siempre un ojo a los sindicatos que representan a sus empleados con el puesto en ganar las próximas elecciones y enriquecer a objetivo de recortar $ 80 millones del gasto público este sus miembros, mientras hacía los negocios para los que año, el próximo y también el año siguiente. Una propuesta fue elegido. El UDP ciertamente tuvo éxito en las urnas, ante los sindicatos es que sus afiliados acepten una ganando elecciones generales consecutivas (2012 y 2015) reducción del 10% en los salarios y una congelación de después de ocupar el cargo en 2008, y si el éxito de un los incrementos. partido en el gobierno es asegurar el futuro de sus El Sindicato de Servicios Públicos (PSU en inglés), que miembros, también hizo un gran trabajo allí, pero en representa a los departamentos gubernamentales que cuanto a los negocios del pueblo, el partido se quedó participan en la recaudación de ingresos, ha liderado las corto en varias áreas. discusiones sobre las formas en que el gobierno podría El partido no manejó nuestras finanzas sabiamente. realizar ahorros. El primer ministro Briceño ha dicho Ciertamente, el UDP no administró el país con miras a que las medidas de ahorro propuestas por los sindicatos aumentar nuestras reservas, por lo que cuando golpeó la están lejos de ser suficientes, pero los sindicatos no pandemia nos encontramos a merced del mundo, están de acuerdo: los sindicatos dicen que el gobierno teniendo que recurrir casi de inmediato a grandes necesita poner más energía en la recaudación de ingresos préstamos para sobrevivir. pendientes, gastar menos en transporte y dejar de Fuera del poder, algunos líderes del UDP nos dicen contratar a su familia y amigos. que tienen las soluciones a nuestros problemas Estas discusiones son muy serias. Cortar los salarios económicos. Lamentablemente, durante casi trece años, está cerca del final de la cuerda; Disminuir el poder muchos de los líderes del partido permanecieron mudos adquisitivo de miles de familias no solo causaría un dolor mientras el partido malgastaba nuestro dinero, colegas directo a esas familias, sino que también absorbería una corruptos se apropiaban indebidamente de los activos gran cantidad de capital de la economía. públicos y se abusaba de los sistemas de gobierno que El fin de la cuerda sería la reducción de personal, que deberían funcionar para proteger las propiedades de la ocurrió en 1997. El hecho de que el gobierno declarara gente. Algunos sugerirían que los socios silenciosos en despedidos a casi mil de sus empleados en 1997 fue el crimen estaban esperando su momento únicamente malo, y el impacto de tal acción en 2021 sería mucho con el objetivo egoísta de transmitir sus ambiciones peor, porque un trabajador no tiene donde ir en esta personales. economía devastada por Covid-19, aparte de la línea de Los beliceños vigilan el nuevo coronavirus por la despensa. preocupación tanto por nuestra salud como por nuestra Para ayudar a compensar por los efectos negativos que economía. La situación ha mejorado desde el punto de tendría un recorte en el gasto público, el gobierno ha vista de la salud y está mejorando aún más con el enmendado la Ley del Banco Central, una medida que desarrollo de vacunas efectivas, pero nadie sabe cuánto debería conducir a una inyección de liquidez en el impacto tendrán las nuevas variantes del virus. En el sistema, y, para ayudar a suavizar el golpe directo a los aspecto económico, hay un rayo de esperanza debido a funcionarios públicos y maestros si se implementa el la mejora de la situación en el control del virus, pero tal recorte salarial, el gobierno dice que alentaría al DFC y al como está actualmente en lo que respecta a nuestra Banco Nacional a poner a su disposición entre 6 y 10 economía, necesitamos desesperadamente un impulso millones de dólares para hipotecas residenciales a tasas inmediato. preferenciales. El primer ministro Briceño ha dicho que en tiempos de Esencialmente, el gobierno está pidiendo a sus crisis económica su gobierno cree que la cura es inyectar empleados que le den un máximo de tres años para capital al sistema, pero lamentablemente no lo hay. cambiar la economía. Sin pensarlo mucho, tres años Cuando comenzó la pandemia, nuestro país pudo pedir parecen abrumadores. dinero prestado, pero ahora, casi un año después, hemos El UDP administró la economía de 2008 a 2020, por lo agotado nuestra tarjeta de crédito, dijo Briceño. que deberían saber un par de cosas y deberían hacer En mayo del año pasado, el entonces Primer Ministro, recomendaciones, pero para el bien de la nación, deben el Honorable Dean Barrow, dijo que la escritura en la ser sinceros. No hay lugar para un UDP que está tratando pared decía que el próximo gobierno de Belize tendría de aprovechar la tragedia económica en este país. que buscar ayuda del Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI). El UDP no debería tener ningún problema en ser Todos recordamos cuando dijo que se lamentaba por humilde, por la paliza que recibió en las urnas en las el pobre Belize, y que absolutamente necesitaríamos elecciones municipales, luego de atacar obtener una inyección de capital del exterior, y los imprudentemente al nuevo gobierno de manera salvaje. prestamistas internacionales como condición exigirían No hubo nada que pudieran haber hecho para ayudarlos que hiciéramos lo que nos han estado aconsejando a superar las recientes elecciones, pero podrían haberse durante años: introducir una reforma de las pensiones, ganado algo de respeto por parte de la gente. Lo habrían recortar la masa salarial y considerar la reducción de hecho, si se hubieran abstenido de culpar a la actual personal en el sector público. administración por el lamentable estado de la economía Rodrigo Campos y Marc Jones, reportando y de haberlos criticado, 100 días después, por no haber para Reuters el 3 de marzo de 2021, dijeron que el cumplido aún su promesa de hacer la vida mejor para gobierno de Belize y los principales funcionarios del FMI todos nosotros. han tenido reuniones en línea, pero nuestro gobierno El UDP tiene que confiar en la gente, porque la gente no ha solicitado un programa de rescate. Según la nota, tiene sabiduría y ve hasta la médula. La gente los pudo tenemos una “relación deuda/PIB de más del 120%”, “ya calar en noviembre de 2020 y los pudo calar a principios pospusimos algunos pagos de la deuda el año pasado” y de este mes. El UDP necesita humillarse por un tiempo y “nos dirigimos al incumplimiento en mayo”. Belize, decía ser más sincero. Ese parece ser el mensaje que la gente la nota, “incumple en serie”. les envió en noviembre y marzo. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 9

PEDRO DE ALVARADO Y Salvador. Although renowned for his Cortés, who was headquartered in miles east of Belize City. Belize CONTRERAS – born in Extremadura, skill as a soldier, Alvarado is known Mexico City after conquering became a hideout inside the Barrier Spain in 1485; died in Guadalajara, also for the cruelty of his treatment Moctezuma and the Aztec empire. Reef for British (and French) pirates Spain in 1541. of native populations, and mass The important thing to note about who were attacking Spanish ships murders committed in the Alvarado’s attack, for the purposes of headed from Mexico and Cuba back Spanish conquistador and subjugation of the native peoples of this column, is that it was an overland to Spain with the wealth hijacked from governor of Guatemala. He Mexico. strike. Alvarado’s force marched from their “New World” possessions. participated in the conquest of Cuba Mexico to Guatemala. Alvarado never I believe the steam engine was (1511), in Juan de Grijalva’s § WIKIPEDIA saw Half Moon Caye, the Blue Hole, invented in the latter part of the exploration of the coasts of the or the Belize Barrier Reef. nineteenth century. Everything that was Yucatán Peninsula and the Gulf of Guatemala’s Indigenous peoples The British history books say that happening on the seas before that Mexico, and in the conquest of were attacked in 1523 by a military Belize was first entered by Europeans involved vessels powered by sails. So Mexico led by Hernán Cortés. He is force led by a Spanish conquistador when a Scottish pirate named Wallace there were the Spaniards, Alvarado considered the conquistador of much named Pedro de Alvarado y discovered the place in 1638. I and those who came after him, of Central America, including Contreras, who had been sent on this suppose “discovery” involved running grabbing the wealth of Guatemala’s Guatemala, Honduras and El violent expedition by the one Hernán into the fabulous Half Moon Caye, 55 highlands, and basically ignorant of developments in the settlement of Belize, whose European fortune- seekers had come here by sea from the east. It seems to me that the Maya people of this region – Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize, were more terrestrial than maritime. The Maya were more into paddling canoes than sailing ships on the high seas, where their lifestyle and perspective were concerned. The British, Spanish, and French, on the other hand, were seafaring Europeans. In order to establish a picture of how things were after Alvarado in Guatemala and Wallace in Belize, we may see the Maya in this region as being between the Spanish in Guatemala and Mexico, on the one hand, and the British in Belize, on the other. Baron Bliss’ yacht, Sea King, would have been a vessel with an inboard motor. It was not a sailing boat. But all the fishermen with whom the Baron came in contact in Belize would have been in sailing boats. During his brief stay in British Honduras before he died on March 9, 1926, Baron Bliss remained in his yacht in the Belize City harbor the whole time. But his main interest was in sport fishing, and he would have been talking with the local fishermen a lot about where to find and hook big fish for exciting fights. In his will, the Baron expressed his appreciation to those Belizean fishermen by financing an annual sailing regatta for them to compete against each other and win prizes. There were no pirates in Belize in 1926. The pirates and their descendants had become involved in the harvesting of hardwoods, first logwood, and later most prominently mahogany, from the forests of Belize. But many of the fishermen based in the capital, Belize Town, and down south in villages like Mullins River, Placencia, Sittee River, and Monkey River, would have had ancestors who had been British pirates. These Belize fishermen were not white, but they did not think of themselves as black. When I was growing up here in the Please turn to„Page 22 Page 10 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 10% Cut Fi 3 Years? Wi Cyah Handle It!!!

government dealt a low blow, a stiff emergency meetings and are seeking to wonder if they realize that people live hand to the teachers and public servants chart a way forward, the members who on a budget and that many of these in this country. Shockwaves of seismic stand to lose and suffer have already teachers and public servants have their proportions were felt across the nation made up their minds. They are not salaries scheduled out right down to when it was announced that a accepting a 10% salary cut for 3 years, the very cent. So if you cut them, do proposition is being put forth to cut simply because they can’t handle it — you realize that there will be a teachers’ and public servants’ salaries point blank! It’s as clearcut and as significant void for these people to fill? for an incredible 3 long years — further simple as that. You are talking about a Consider the following points. compounded by an increment freeze for long-term dent into the livelihoods of You cut the teachers’ and public that same period. people who by and large are already servants’ salaries for 3 whole years — Well as fast as it was announced, forced to subscribe to some of the will there be a mandate to reduce the teachers and public servants simply toughest measures of austerity. Then mortgages that these people have to were not having it. They immediately you come to them and say that you need pay? I mean, in earnest, you can’t cut began to express their dissent at such a to cut their salary and freeze their their salaries and expect them to pull notion and began to mobilize. And you increments for a protracted period of the extra 10% plus the incremental loss After months of rumors and several could only understand why! A 10% time? No, Sah.... Naw, that can’t work! out of thin air and still meet their attempts by our decision-makers to be salary cut, in addition to a freeze on A basic, understated tenet of life is mortgage payments without a hassle? cagey on the matter, while dodging the increments for a whopping 3 years, is that you must give and take to make fair Furthermore, will there be a 10% very pertinent issue, teachers and public an excessive burden. So the teachers bargain. But when I analyze the reduction in utility rates for 3 years, servants finally got the confirmation and public servants are not happy with proposed amount that the teachers and with a freeze on the GST charged on they all feared and dreaded. Yes, just such a proposal and are not taking it public servants stand to lose, very little the utilities? I mean, if we are talking mere days after the people of this lightly or sitting down. is offered up in return for the sacrifice about balance, you can’t cut their country reaffirmed their mandate, the While the union leaders are in that they are called upon to make. I salaries and freeze their increments and expect them to pay the same utility bills, plus taxes where applicable. So if you cut the salaries of teachers and public servants, how do you propose that they buy their groceries and provisions? Was it not taken into consideration that for many of these people, the proposed cut equates to the grocery money? The utilities money? Fueling the vehicle for the month or the procurement of butane and other services that keep the home running? So if this cut goes through, will they receive a 10% voucher for groceries and will taxes be removed from groceries? There is a lot to consider, and it causes one to wonder if these things were even taken into consideration. Fuel prices continue to increase steadily, and seemingly unabated, with both regular and premium gas now over the $10 mark. That in itself is crippling and stifling. Will the taxes on fuel be removed? Will fuel prices be lowered and stabilized? Fuel drives a country, and if fuel is high, go figure, everything else will be high. Hence the reason inflation is so high in this country. The same salaries that you seek to cut are barely enough to measure up against the steady inflation rate, as a result of which many find themselves struggling from month’s end to month’s end. Furthermore, to those who are rejoicing at the proposed cut to the salaries of teachers and public servants, permit me to utter a mere caution to you and simultaneously to sound the alarm to all small businesses and entrepreneurs who have a product to offer. See, the thing is this. There is an underlying corollary of a salary cut to teachers and public officers that will adversely affect all emergent and established businesses across this country. Consider this salient point: if you cut teachers’ and public servants’ salaries for 3 years, they will be forced to subscribe to some of the most stringent measures of austerity. The connection? If this cut goes through, it will produce a ripple effect, sending further shockwaves across the economic sphere. Teachers and public servants constitute one of the largest Please turn to„Page 12 Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 11

Faber, my word

by Colin Hyde I will not complain if any Ministry city? Let me get back, yes, well- on the election that include head-to- of Education hasn’t respect for my spoken, and he is modern, which we head contests for the mayoral seat as The ink hadn’t dried on the ballots books, but this country has to support have to respect. And some people though the mayoral candidates were that showed a total wipeout for the Belizean writers. That brother passed like him, a big thing for a politician. running on the same ticket as UDP in the municipal elections when through a billion and a half dollars, Okay, enough, he has to be honest councilors. The stat sheet for the the one who rolled in the Petro and the only time I heard of him about the con side of saddling the Elections and Boundaries said Caribe more than anyone else did, celebrating a Belizean book, it was BCC with his personal choice for Bernard Wagner got 5.59 % of the was on Love FM discussing OJ a product of the iconic Dr. Corinth administrator. vote, and Orson Picart got 3.25% of Elrington’s lawsuit against Mayor Morter Lewis, and she DONATED Sometime ago, I am sure I heard the vote, in the Belize City Council Wagner. her books to the ministry. My bwai, Mr. Finnegan say that a famous UDP race. No, no, no, that isn’t right, and I’m pointing at Mr. Darrell da weh mi wrong wid you? elder had said that a man is not a man the SIB should call them out on it. Bradley. True, he was very cautious Darrell Bradley is by no means a if he can’t go back on his word. I bring In Belize City, properly, of 16,128 in his speech, but a number of Reds bad vote. I remember my younger that up because I’m pretty sure I said votes cast for mayor, B. Wagner are circling like sharks that smell brother said one time he visited from I would apply for a UDP party card (PUP) got 10,067 or 62.4% of the blood in the water after the UDP the States that Bradley was Belize after they got what they deserved. I vote, O. Picart (UDP) got 5,849 or suffered two massive defeats at the City’s best mayor, but he only saw must say, if I do join the UDP it 36.3% of the vote, and R. McCaulay polls, consecutively, and while I’m the money-spending, and he has a wouldn’t be a guarantee that I’d vote (BPP), got 1.3% of the vote. Running not swayed either way by Mr. Faber, house in Buttonwood Bay, and how for them in the next election. It would down the rest of the mayoral races, I hate to hear people talk things that the people out there love their be to lend my pound to help build a looking only at the percentage of are unfair. promenade by the seashore. For strong opposition, one that embraces votes the candidates got, in BMP, S. I might be overly suspicious, and anyone who cares to look, Darrell left the third parties. Palacio (PUP) got 66.5%, J. Burns I might have a dislike for cheap a financial and administrative God spare life, if, if the PUP tries (UDP) 28.5%, and R. Frazer (IND) opportunism. If the UDP wants to pandemic for Mayor Bernard Wagner its darnedest to deliver on PlanBlu, I 5%. In Benque, J. Rosales (PUP) got remove Mr. Faber, let it not have and his councilors, so the last BCC will most likely vote for them in the 50.8% and M. Guerra (UDP) got anything to do with the results of the had to get through two pandemics: next election. I can’t see myself voting 49.2%. last two elections. That party, Pandemic Darrell and Pandemic for any party in three consecutive In CZL, R. Vellos (PUP) got 58.6% because of all of the wrong they did Covid. elections, though, so I’d be between and R. Arana (UDP) got 41.4%; in to our country when they had the reins, I was supposed to be telling you a rock and a hard place if we have Dangriga, R. Mariano (PUP) got didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in why I see some virtue in Darrell, an incumbent that has to go and an 54.3%, H. Humphreys (UDP) got hell in those last two elections. well, he is well-spoken. Oh mix, did opposition party that isn’t cutting it. 37.4%, and R. Nunez (BPF) got 8.2%; I will say something bad about Mr. he have to practice law while being Returning to Finnegan and the UDP in OW, L. Sheppard (PUP) got 78.7%, Faber. I’ve written enough times that paid a princely sum to run that old elder, indeed, sometimes one has to O. Castillo (UDP) got 20.3%, and A. go back on their word, but it is never Sanchez (IND) got 0.9%; in PG, C. a MANLY thing to do. Sorry, the Selgado (PUP) got 54.1%, M. Palma manly business is only about keeping (BPP) got 26.6%, and H. Warrior it. Ah, we have to accept that (UDP) got 19.2%; in SI/SE E. Trapp circumstances can arise that force you (UDP) got 50%, R. Quiroz (PUP) got to backtrack. I’ll repeat this story 49.2%, and R. Wade (IND) got 0.8%; from the political arena by way of and in SP, W. Nunez (PUP) got 67% explanation. and R. Gonzalez (UDP) got 33%. I should have voted for John All the percentages there are Saldivar in the 1998 election. I unofficial, of course. formed a committee to work with Mr. Well, well, Joe Andrews’ sister Saldivar when he was an aspirant in won her seat again in the twin towns. Cayo South, and he delivered on a I’m a born NIP and Joe Andrews, as large section of our pathway, a fence Miss Emma Boiton will tell you, was for our softball field, and gym one of the Reds’ brightest stars. You equipment for our youth. The UDP know the PUP never gives a Red their deserved to lose, but John earned my due, but I have good sources that say vote. they were right about Joe, that if he When my nephew announced his was drunk and sleeping in the drain candidacy for the PUP, UDP BMP the Red faithful would pull him out, started questioning my loyalty. Hey, wash him off, and take him home. I’m only talking about my vote here. I don’t know if the first time I heard I hadn’t asked the party to involve that story is when I decided against a me in bigger things, nor had they life in politics, but I wouldn’t be asked me. And if I ever had any die- surprised if so. I have my savvy hard in me, I was long past that. moments, and if I’d thought on that I One reason I took back my vote would have realized that a popularity was because I got information that contest is all about love, and that good John had gone on a rostrum in Belize luck is only for the few. City and expressed hate toward Me, I’d be a fool to go there, Kremandala, probably to please because if I were prominent like Witz Finnegan and Barrow and Esquivel. and I got drunk and rolled over in the For now I’ll just say this. I’m not drain, they’d broadcast it all over, entirely comfortable with the UDP like the wikid Belize Times did to right now. Dean Lindo when nature, after he had been drinking, dictated he innocently EBC slip up haul himself off a park bench and go find a tree, to do what dogs do to mark It is so not right to present statistics territory.

AMANDALA - The best there is! Page 12 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 THE PUP WON THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BELIZE BY A LANDSLIDE

municipalities for more than 12 years, control the central government, their actions that will affect the people and up until 2018 when the PUP were able city or town will not get any money government. to win in Belize City and Corozal. from the government to take care of The Belize government has no The Belize People’s Front their business. However, this is far choice but to enter into an agreement participated in the elections in from the truth, because history has with the IMF due to their debt-to- Dangriga for the selection of the shown that due to the limited revenue ratio. Belize’s debt is members of that municipality’s town subvention that the Central estimated at about 4 billion Belize council, for the first time in their Government has been issuing to the dollars and growing. If they cannot party’s history. Their candidates were cities and towns over the years, their generate more revenue and pay off able to garner over 1000 votes out of expenditures far outweigh their their debts, it will get worse, and not all the votes that were cast in the revenues. The cities and towns need better. Next year the village council election. One of their councilor more autonomy in order to generate elections are due, and the political candidates, Dwayne Sampson, revenues to keep up with their monthly parties will have to find funds for this received the most votes nationwide budgets. election also. Elections in Belize out of all the third party candidates Belize, like every country in the without money, result in a party losing that contested the election. In Punta world, is experiencing a serious the elections, because the two major Gorda town, the Belize Progressive economic problem, due to the Covid- parties have been paying their citizens by Wellington C. Ramos Party (BPP)’s mayoral candidate and 19 pandemic, especially in the tourism to vote for them over the years. some of his councilor candidates, industry, from which 30% of the Some of the Belizean citizens have Belize held its municipal elections received more votes than some of the nation’s revenues comes. This gotten used to this practice and will on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. When UDP candidates, and that was a major revenue from American tourists who not vote for any party or candidate all the votes were counted, the surprise. Normally in most Belizean visit Belize also is the country’s main unless they are paid. If the political People’s United Party (PUP) won by elections, the third party candidates source of foreign currency. In the parties do not come together and deal a landslide — winning 65 out of 67 do not get more votes than the absence of this revenue, the only other with this problem, they will not be seats and winning all the mayoral candidates for the two major political source of foreign exchange is the able to afford the cost of the elections seats except in the twin towns of Santa parties, the PUP and UDP. remittances sent by Belizean- and will not succeed in ending vote- Elena and San Ignacio, where Voter turnout was low, and it was American citizens who live in the buying and corruption in Belize. incumbent UDP mayor Earl Trapp was not until later that day that people United States to their relatives who Electoral reforms and campaign reelected along with one of his started to rush to the polls. Belizeans live in Belize. Many Belizean- finance legislations are the only two councilor candidates. The PUP just recently voted in a general Americans are experiencing their own ways to solve this problem. Severe candidate in Corozal Bay, Elvia Vega- election that was held on November problems in America and are not able legal penalties, including excessive Samos, also won the by-election to of last year, 2020, and the political to send money to their relatives as they fines, imprisonment for buying and replace her brother, David Vega, who parties were wondering if there would normally would. Belizeans and other selling votes, and the recall of died shortly after he was elected last be voter fatigue. Belizeans people living in America, have lost candidates who won an election by year, in the House of Representatives. traditionally vote for the same party their jobs and have problems getting engaging in these illegal activities, It has been many years since the PUP that occupies the seats of the National their unemployment money, because must be included in these legislations. staged a comeback against the UDP, Assembly in Belmopan. They feel that the offices in most of the states, are The problem is that after the elections who had been controlling all the if they vote for the party that does not not functioning at 100% capacity. are held, many of the area After the municipal elections were representatives are not seen until held, the Belize government elections are held again. Then, a announced that they will have to sign majority of the Belizean people — the an agreement to abide by the working class and poor— still International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to live in poverty, while some guidelines. This was something they families in Belize, including knew before the elections were held, politicians, their supporters, business but kept it away from the citizens. IMF people, and the major political guidelines will lead to a freeze in parties’ multinational donors, reap the government spending, salary cuts, benefits from Belize’s natural layoffs, reduced spending and other resources. 10% Cut Fi 3 Years?...

Continued from Page 10 You can’t stimulate an economy by „ weakening and reducing the spending employment pools in our country, and power of the populace. As is evident if you cut their salaries, the collective in other countries whose economies economy will be impacted. The (extra) have been hard hit, they are actually disposable income that they had will seeking to bolster their economy by no longer be there, and that thus means providing a stimulus for their people. that there will be very little to no money We are acting in quite the reverse, available for takeout food, or to dine and only time will tell how far and at a restaurant, share a beer at a pub, wide the implications of such a “treat” themselves to a spa or hair proposal will reach. Arguably, this is treatment; also, trips to the barber shops going to be one of the most important will be reduced and lessened, local tests of the unions’ willpower and hotels and resorts will see a reduction collective resolve in recent years. We in local tourism, and the extra spent on, will see how very rooted they are, like say, stuffed peppers on a Friday that tree that’s been planted by the evening or a frozen drink on a Saturday water. All in all, it’s quite a pickle we will be a thing of the past. collectively find ourselves in. The So for those who haven’t really sat next couple of weeks will expose the down and analyzed the full gamut of indomitability of our resolve and test this proposal, its implications are more the very tenacity of our willpower. We far-reaching than not. The teachers and will soon find out if solidarity is public servants might or mightn’t be merely an idle conjecture or the able to withstand the cut for 3 years, unification of a people in the face of but it will send many more businesses adversity. plummeting to the ground and further plunge the economy into an even Unchained Reflections Of A Liberal deepening and cataclysmic tailspin. Pragmatist. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 13

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER VACANCY NOTICE Suitably qualified applicants are invited to fill the position of:

JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL

Applicants for the position of Justice of the Court of Appeal: (a) must hold or has held office as judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court; (b) must be qualified to practice as an attorney-at-law in a court in Belize or as an advocate in a court in any other part of the Commonwealth having unlimited jurisdiction in either civil or criminal causes or matters and has been so qualified for not less than fifteen years; (c) must be in good health; (d) must be a person who conducts himself at all times, both in his professional life and personal life, in a matter that will maintain public confidence in the standards of the judiciary.

Applicants are also expected to possess a high level of personal integrity and if successful are expected to subscribe to any Judicial Code of Ethics that the President of the Court of Appeal may from time to time prescribe.

Interested persons may download an application package from the Supreme Court’s Website – www.belizejudiciary.org or request in writing from:

The Secretary Office of the Prime Minister Third Floor, Sir. Edney Cain Building Belmopan City, Cayo District Belize, Central America Telephone number: 822-2345 email address: [email protected]

Deadline for receipt of applications: April 15, 2021

Note: Only suitably qualified applicants will be acknowledged. The Governor-General does not bind itself to make an appointment from among those persons who apply.

BELIZE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY GENERAL MANAGER VACANCY

SUMMARY: To provide effective and efficient management of the BBA Office and maintain a good relationship with the stakeholders in the industry. The General Manager of the BBA will report directly to the Board of Directors of the BBA mainly through the Chairman of the Board.

RESPONSIBILITES: • Perform duties as Secretary of BBA Board • Assist to develop and implement strategies to improve broadcasting regulations • Assist with management of the BBA operations. • Ensure that updated records of all Broadcasters are kept • Collection of revenue (license fees, etc.) • Record minutes of BBA Board meetings • Take appropriate action on minutes of the meetings. • Responsible for the proper accounting of the operations of the office • Prepare management reports. • All other duties assigned from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. • Minimum of three (3) years or equivalent in management experience. • Technical experience in television, radio and broadcasting is an asset. • Being bilingual is an asset.

SALARY: NEGOTIABLE

Interested persons should send a letter of application along with their Curriculum Vitae and letters of reference by March 19, 2021, to:

Chairman Belize Broadcasting Authority belize.broadcastingauthority @outlook.com Page 14 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 ChurChurccchh andand SStttatateee I communicate with this gentleman on you, whether you wanted it or not. that I consider a sort of mentor. He Our politicians, all of them, have doesn’t know I see him that way, and allowed religious leaders to have an GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE until I started writing this piece, I oversized say in the lives of everyday didn’t realize that he was. He was Belizeans. They decide which laws VACANCY NOTICE talking about how the religious are good, or bad, depending on their institutions in Belize have too much beliefs. A glaring example is their influence on the curricula of our obsessive opposition to anything to do schools, thereby depriving students of with gay rights. I grew up being For a Senior Litigator the information they need to homophobic because of my religious understand who we are, why we are upbringing, and I suppose that if I hadn’t wandered all over the world, Suitably qualified applicants are invited to apply. here, and how we got here. Now, I’m not a religious person. I pray every or not believed in science, I would The Senior Litigator will be responsible to assist the Deputy Solicitor General in night to a god I’m not sure exists. It still be that close-minded idiot of my the provision of legal advice and guidance to the Government of Belize and the used to be rote, but at this point in my youth. This is a worldwide problem, entire government system on all matters related to litigation and where necessary life, I find it necessary, even based solely on religious teachings. to represent the Government of Belize in civil litigation. therapeutic. I’ve always admired We all have family members who are people that are true believers, that gay, or that are conflicted about their Applicants must: have that unshakable faith in what they gender. We love them or we hate them, • be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Attorney-at-Law of at least ten (10) years believe. I have a sister whom I admire or we are afraid of them, because we call to the bar in a Commonwealth jurisdiction; and exactly for that reason. She’s a rock, might catch their disease. What an • have experience in complex legal matters specifically in public law (constitutional and has been this way for most of her ignorant way to go through life! One law and administrative law) and human rights law. life. More power to her, gives her life does not have a choice of how nature purpose. I always have questioned the will react when they are brought into Interested persons may download an application package from the Supreme messengers, though: preachers, priests, this world. Get over it. Court’s Website – www.belizejudiciary.org or request in writing from: rabbis, imams. And after a poll came Government should keep to the The Secretary out showing Donald Trump, the most business of governing without being Judicial and Legal Services Commission immoral, crooked, flawed, anti-Christ dictated to, or guided, by religious Belmopan City, Cayo District president ever, was supported by 80% zealots, all of whom have their own Belize, Central America of the evangelicals, well, then, we agendas. I have come to realize that Telephone number: 822-2204 or 822-2235 know something is definitely rotten in a lot of the hate and discord in email address: [email protected] Denmark! communities are a direct result of But I digress! Ever since I was a religion. Instead of uniting us, they Deadline for receipt of applications: April 15, 2021 child, every aspect of our lives was divide us into different camps. Jesus steeped in religion, and religious said, “suffer the children to come Note: Only suitably qualified applicants will be acknowledged. dogma. The entertainment, BHBS, unto me”; he didn’t qualify; he was The Judicial and Legal Services Commission does not bind itself to make an British Honduras Broadcasting talking about all the children. If we appointment from among those persons who apply. Service, every morning began with a followed that advice, we would have national prayer. In public or a more perfect community, where government schools, as they were science and history, and common called, the day began and ended with sense are not distorted the way they prayers. I can understand the parochial are now, by fairytales and schools teaching religion, as is their exaggerations. It’s much more right, but secular schools should complicated than that, but there’ll be remain secular, devoid of religious more to come. entanglements. But no!! It was in the OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF school curriculum, and it was heaped Belizean in diaspora THE SUPREME COURT VACANCY NOTICE Two Santa Elena Suitably qualified applicants are invited to fill the position of: JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT residents shot

Applicants for the position of Supreme Court Judge: The motive of this attempt on [a] must be: Simon’s life has still not been [i] qualified to practice as an attorney-at-law in a court in Belize or as an advocate in a court in any other part of the Commonwealth having unlimited ascertained by police, but at this time jurisdiction either in civil or criminal causes or matters; and they are looking at another shooting [ii] has been qualified for not less than five years so to practice in such a that took place in the victim’s home court. town of Santa Elena. [b] must be in good health. The victim in that other incident, [c] must be a person who conducts himself at all times, both in his professional and personal life, in a matter that will maintain public confidence in the standards of David Galindo, was shot once on the judiciary. Perez Street while on his way to his Santa Elena home. Reports are that Applicants are also expected to possess a high level of personal integrity and if successful he was approached by a dark male are expected to subscribe to any Judicial Code of Ethics that the Chief Justice may person who fired several shots in his from time to time prescribe. direction, causing injury. Interested persons may download an application package from the Supreme Court’s He was taken to the San Ignacio Website – www.belizejudiciary.org or request in writing from: Community Hospital and then transferred to the Western Regional The Secretary Hospital where he remains in a Judicial and Legal Services Commission stable condition. He is reportedly Ground Floor, Sir. Edney Cain Building known to the police, who believe Belmopan City, Cayo District BELIZE CITY, Sun. Mar. 8, 2021 Belize, Central America A 27-year-old resident of Santa that his shooting is a result of a long- Telephone number: 822-2204 or 822-2235 Elena, Cayo, was shot in Belize City standing dispute between his family email address: [email protected] on Sunday and is currently in a and other elements in the Santa critical condition at the Karl Elena town. 2 Deadline for receipt of applications: April 15, 2021 Heusner Memorial Hospital. Two persons are in custody for his Note: Only suitably qualified applicants will be acknowledged. According to police, Leary Simon shooting and his brother has been The Commission does not bind itself to make an appointment from among those was on Reggae Street when he was subject to questioning by police. persons who apply. approached by a lone gunman, who Police continue their investigations fired a single shot at him. into these recent shootings. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 15

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE VACANCY NOTICE

Suitably qualified applicants are invited to fill the position of:

DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL, LITIGATION

The Deputy Solicitor General will be responsible to provide legal advice and guidance to the Government of Belize and the entire government system on all matters related to litigation and where necessary to represent the Government of Belize in civil litigation. The Deputy Solicitor General will oversee the Litigation Unit of the Attorney General’s Ministry.

Applicants must:

• be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Attorney-at-Law of at least ten (10) years call to the bar in a Commonwealth jurisdiction; and • have experience in complex legal matters specifically in public law (constitutional law and administrative law) and human rights law.

Interested persons may download an application package from the Supreme Court’s Website – www.belizejudiciary.org or request in writing from:

The Secretary Judicial and Legal Services Commission Belmopan City, Cayo District Belize, Central America Telephone number:822-2204 or 822-2235 email address: [email protected]

Deadline for receipt of applications: April 15, 2021

Note: Only suitably qualified applicants will be acknowledged. The Judicial and Legal Services Commission does not bind itself to make an appointment from among those persons who apply. Page 16 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021

Love thy brothers as thyself

Westminster: “An inner London constructive revolution,” which had then opposition, now borough which contains the Houses only served for the people of this Government of Belize. The of Parliament and many government country to become beggars led by their then magistrate gave an order offices. leaders. to the corresponding authority Full name City of Westminster. In 1981 it was written that the country to investigate the crime; the 1.1 Used in reference to the called Belize was inhabited by 150,000 result was that it was not even British Parliament.” people within a space of 8,867 square taken into consideration. — Oxford Dictionary miles, and was very wealthy in natural A mockery was made of the resources. Therefore, my question for judicature of Belize. Now the People’s Belizeans are so in love with their this 2021 is as follows: Who owns all United Party has been given the Belize, not with a selected few. I’ll end slave masters that they constructed that wealth, and what has been done absolute power to do the necessary these thoughts by congratulating the their City of Westminster, called with it? Could it be, our dear readers, changes and bring all the criminals to actual mayor of Belize City, Bernard Belmopan. Do you believe, our dear that we need a national commission of justice. However, they decided to play Wagner, for the houses given to the poor. readers of this column, that after 40 inquiry to investigate what became of their little games or stage a show to Had such kind action been a part of the years of political independence, the the Belizean people’s wealth untold? distract fools from the current reality 1981 master plan for the poor class of Westminster Parliamentary But I don’t think it would be a good — which is that the majority of this country, it would have been as Democratic model that was idea to appoint these honorable Belizeans are unemployed, many of Christ said: “Love thy brothers as implemented by the privileged few of personalities from the PUP + UDP = those who are employed are receiving thyself.” Belize had been able to accomplish PUDP pool of think tanks. Why? meager wages, and many were in need at least the intentions that underlie the Because, you, our dear readers, would of food prior to COVID-19 and are still [email protected] preamble to the Constitution of this recall the commission of inquiry that in need. March 5, 2021 country? However, the philosophy was set up to investigate the passport Let me remind you that a manifesto Finca Solana was set upon the idea of a “peaceful scandal which was publicized by the is a social contract, with the people of Corozal Town The black dances of Guerrero (A reproduction from México Desconocido, 04-28-2011)

In the state of Guerrero you will be slaves in various regions of the known as maroons. Many were able drumsticks. In some cases the dancers able to see the Afro-Brazilian face of country. Congolese, Bantu, Sudanese to escape from the mills and farms that stomp on the trough — the women in our Mexico through one of the largest and Guineans were uprooted from held them captive, for which they were beautiful white dresses and the men cultural manifestations: dance. their land and brought to a new one, fiercely persecuted, so that they had in their peasant garb. They are the Discover it! The African presence in where they tried to reproduce their to travel great distances to find sounds of the coast, deep and Mexico has been largely ignored, cultural patterns, which they only uninhabited territories; in these nostalgic. Typical of the region is the although since the 16th century, blacks achieved when they could free diasporas the maroons came to representation of the Conquest, and of African origin began to arrive as themselves and live as free blacks, then Guerrero. Others were brought on the although it is not of African origin, the ships from China that arrived from the Afro-Mestizo interpretation is Philippines at the port of Acapulco and different and undoubtedly has another then were reduced to merchandise or meaning. Children participate above Mistrial: Patrick blood engines. all with this period attire, wooden During the seventeenth, eighteenth swords, cardboard armor and satin Harris offered bail and nineteenth centuries, on the Costa fabrics with gold and shiny details. Chica de Guerrero, former slaves and The choreographies of the stages of their families settled after encountering the historical event are very well done. determine if the 2017 ID parade conditions similar to those of their The families take part in the which marked Harris as the shooter places of origin, such as the sea, the decoration of the costumes and the was carried out legally. He climate and the geography. The preparations for the popular festival determined that it was not. At Friday’s descendants of those Africans are the — among them, food, fresh water and trial, the prosecution’s crown witness Afro-Mexicans who currently live on music. attempted to once again identify the coasts of Oaxaca and Guerrero. The event is usually held in the main Harris as the shooter, but Harris’ From their ancestors they have square with the attendance of the entire attorney, Oscar Selgado, raised inherited the stories, culture, rhythm town. And among the cultural objections to the identification at that and even their sense of time. Currently, manifestations of the region, the stage in the trial. on the Costa Chica there are cultural ability of women to carry jugs of water The witness was asked to refrain manifestations typical of the region on their heads or a child on their hips from speaking to anyone during the that have their antecedents in the first stands out, as well as their adjournment for lunch but was Africans who arrived here. In extroversion, joie de vivre and rhythm, allegedly seen by Selgado, speaking communities such as Cuajinicuilapa, which are definitely African heritages. to a police officer before being Guerrero, and in religious festivals It is affirmed that the influence of the escorted to the Director of Public and celebrations, the variety and Negro in Mexico, both biologically Prosecution (DPP)’s office. Selgado particularity of their dances are and culturally, is decisive in the BELIZE CITY, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 argued that while the conversation surprising, among which that of the formation of national identity — Last Friday, Patrick Harris, who may not necessarily have been about devils is probably the most powerful although we can say that due to their is accused of the 2016 murder of the trial, it created the impression that both symbolically and aesthetically status as a slave, the blacks could not Dillon Grinage, was offered bail by the witness was being coached by the due to the clothing and the trance in rebuild their ancestral African culture, Justice Herbert Lord after he ruled a prosecution. which the dancers fall. Meanwhile, while due to isolation, the maroons mistrial in the case. Harris was first The trial judge ultimately decided the public participates, challenging the did manage to preserve some of their arraigned back in early 2017 after he to rule in favor of the defense’s devils, although some remain solemn cultural traits. was arrested and charged for the New application and entered the mistrial. and attentive. The trough is also very Year’s Eve murder of Dillon Grinage, Patrick Harris was offered bail of characteristic. It is a huge wooden [email protected] which took place near Sandhill $40,000 until the start of a new trial cajon with a bull or horse head at one March 5, 2021 village in the Belize District. by a new judge. We will continue to end and a tail at the other, which the Finca Solana Justice Lord entered a voir dire to cover the developments in this case. musicians play with wooden Corozal Town Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 17 Musings by the Curious Nonconformist

Thucydides, quickly exposes their around 350 million dollars, Belize People’s United Party for winning its passionate concern with ideology. has very little wiggle room to bypass bid to administrate the Government of Their irresistible moral, political and steadfast fiscal responsibility reform. Belize and more recently maintaining sociological comments are Essentially, Belize has been its seat in Corozal Bay after the particular manifestations of more spending, and indeed continues to unfortunate passing of Hon. David Vega general ideological standpoints.” spend, more than it makes. Our hat is and pulverizing the United Democratic Consciencism: Philosophy and higher than we can reach. Party in the municipal elections by Ideology for De-Colonisation, The sore in our governance has virtue of our electoral model, we must Kwame Nkrumah always been the political will to do be honest in saying that the PUP did not what is required to ensure the long-term win the heart of the Belizean electorate. What does governance mean to us, stability of the nation-state. The priority In fact, from a national perspective, Belizean people, both those born pre- has consistently been political they managed to win just 48% of the 1981 and those thereafter? For me, expediency. I will go as far as to say votes, while the UDP teetered behind governance means access to those partisan loyalty, which I have said time with 31%. 18% of the electorate did who are elected to serve me. It also and again is a rung just under treason. not go to the polls at all on November means that I can critique them without What we have done in Belize and 11th 2020, while 3% were willing to fear or favour because they have indeed across the Caribbean region is allow alternative parties and convinced me that we have the same reduce democracy to a matter of independent candidates an opportunity goals and that we have an agreeable performative public relations and to serve. So while the “blue-tiful” wave “This connection between an path through which those goals are marketing ploys, boxed and sold as of PUP support was plastered across ideological standpoint and the to be achieved. Belize’s top priority diplomacy and nationalism. This is the our social and traditional media, it’s writing of history is a perennial one. as we speak is its economic stability. puss in the bag that we have purchased not all it’s cracked up to be. 52% of A check on the work of the great With a debt-to-GDP ratio at 134% at the Pound Yard Bridge. While I the electorate did not vote for the PUP historians, including Herodotus and and revenue loss estimated to be rightfully congratulate the present at all. As my elder and astute sociologist, Myrtle Palacio’s research on political participation in Belize, Electoral Politics: The Naked Truth, put forth, this seems to have been the case of the electorate voting one administration out, rather than the other in. A problematic and lethargic practice. We can all speculate that the UDP’s fall from grace in retrospect seemed written in the stars — from its most grandiose leadership convention at their trophy building, the Belize City Civic Center, on February 9, 2020, to its quainter and humble convention on July 12, 2020. A false start triggered by the alleged involvement of former Minister of National Security and area representative for Belmopan in less than savoury relationships with an international convicted conman. More than Mr. Saldivar’s blunder, could the UDP have lost the elections because of dwindling finances? It’s troubling to me that campaign financing regulations have been put on the back burner. Against this backdrop the Government of Belize has put forward its cost-saving measures as it relates to the wage bill, preliminarily proposing to the public service a cut in salaries and increment freezes that will cut government expenditure by 80 million dollars per year over the next three years. It is one that is being met with pushback, and understandably so. The public service has remained the stalwart and most stable labour sector for working-class persons in Belize and in COVID times, when the employment opportunities are being gutted, it is even more fiercely guarded by the unions. My comrades, labour must remain rational and resolute in its mandate to the working class. Unfortunately, I do not have an answer about how exactly Belize is to rebound, but from my limited experience with economics, I know that it is paramount that we are disciplined in our approach, keeping in mind our climate vulnerabilities. The sacrifice must be as equitably shared as possible, assets must be recovered and people must be the priority as Fiscal Responsibility Law and corresponding rules emerge. Please turn to„Page 18 Page 18 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021

International just 329 players three have pointers arrived, from the “Press” Predictions: 15-22-47 Deon All-Time Boledo stats thru 12th to 19th McCaulay, record that March 2021 Michael Ray Allen In boledo news, 65 played some Salazar, has. In the by Gilroy “Press” Cadogan 5 times in a 2-month span. These are Nana All-Star my lucky numbers for this week: 15- Mensah, game in the In International football action, in 22-47-32-07-56. These are my Deshawn slam dunk the EPL, the most entertaining and the lucky jackpot numbers: 7638-2511- Nembhard contest, Portland Trailblazes’ Anthony most exciting league in the world. 8327. These are my lucky PICK-3 and the Simmons won easily. LeBron’s Team Manchester United beat Manchester numbers:120-438-765-909-585. Get other 6 then beat out Durant’s Team 170 to City 2 to 0. Raheem Sterling was ready Belize, some dinero will be players. Coach Dale Peleyo, Sr. says 150. Milwaukee Bucks’ power contained coming our way. 59 has not played he has a lots of confidence in his forward/center Giannis consistently. for over 1 year 9 months 1 week and team; Woodrow West will be in our Antetokounmpo won the MVP award. Manchester 4 days now. There are 7 more goal as usual. Denmark Casey, Jr. The game was very exciting. Little City still numbers out over 1 year: 04-17— will be in our midfield, FFB over 2,500 fans attended the game but has the 47-68-70-79-85. These are my 5 president Mr. Sergio Chuc says this Kevin Durant did not play. Kyrie lead by doubles that left to play: 11-22-44- team will create some competition Erving and his other team-mate, 2-time some 55-99. These are some numbers that for all those 4 teams in their group MVP James Harden was on his team eleven you all must keep your eyes open for: for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. alongside Russell Westbrook, Kawhi points, 17 & 47. There are 2 numbers that There will be 23 players on the 4- Leonard Manchester played three times each, 03 & 36. game tour. FIFA has picked Haiti to from the United has Then there are 8 numbers that played win our group, next week more L.A. 54, twice; 09-10-20-41-74-80-82-95. updates. Clippers. Leicester The only series play once is the LeBron had City still fifties series, 57. There are 3 series Giannis, has 49, not to play on a Sunday as yet, the Steph, Luka Chelsea passed Everton at fourth forties, the fifties and the sixties. A Doncic, place. In the La Liga standings, lot of low numbers will be out this Nikola Atletico Madrid drew with Real week. Good luck to all buyers and Jokic, Madrid 1 goal apiece, Luis Suarez remember to read your Psalms: 72- LeBron’s Team beat Durant’s Jaylen scored his 17th goal. Then Kareem 91-63. Next week more stats. Team 170 to 150 Brown, Benzema got his 13th goal, Atletico NBA All Star results and Lillard, now has 59 points, FC Barcelona is predictions Chris Paul at second with 56 points, plus they In NBA action, the 70th NBA ALL and Rudy Gobert. Next week more have a game with the leaders. Real Star game was held in Atlanta. Those stats. Madrid is at third with 53 points. basketball fans enjoy those events. In Lionel Messi still leads with 19 All of the 10 International the skills challenge, Indiana Pacers goals. In the Serie A, Inter Milan and players have arrived in Belize Center Domantas Sabonis won in AC Milan lead over the 8 times Local football updates & Fashion, then, in the three-point shoot- champions Juventus and Cristiano predictions. out, Steph Curry beat out Mike Conley Ronaldo. Pep Guardiola is the best In local football update, the with the last shot. That’s Steph second Manchester United beat Manager in the world. The UEFA Belize National Team will face off three-point shootout win in 7 tries. In Manchester City 2-0 Champions League will continue against the Haitians in Haiti in 13 the month of February, Curry hit 73 International football results, with their knockout stage games. Next days’ time. All of the 10 three-pointers, that’s a record. He is predictions week more results.

Musings by the Curious Nonconformist

Continued from „Page 17 The latter is the course of action for countries in economic peril. Our approach to managing assets — finances, human and otherwise— cannot be a syndicate pyramid scheme built on “mi spirit tek yo” contractual terms. Belize and all who inhabit it cannot afford cognitive dissonance and the construction of pseudo-realities. While Spanish philosopher, George Santayana, posits that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” I go further to say that those who cannot acknowledge their past have no tools to protect themselves from repeating it.

Stay Curious. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 19 Belize’s young, talented, and educated citizens need more opportunities

As a relatively young country, all their years of dedication, sacrifice are needed in order for youths to gain which gained political independence and family investments to make them practical skills within and outside the in 1981, Belize does not seem to have qualified, only result in school system. Within the school sufficient numbers of strong and unemployment or underemployment system emphasis should be made on stable markets, industries and in their own country. encouraging students to create their institutions to absorb large numbers This is especially troubling, since own jobs and be self-sustaining. of youth who seek to further develop a large number of those who migrate Although it may take several years themselves and contribute to national from Belize are skilled or highly to start solving some of the problems development. Consequently, even educated individuals. This consistent that lead to “brain drain” in our by Kahlil Enriquez though Belize is full of youthful trend in loss of valuable human country, sticking to the same old energies and so much potential, many capital is seen as one of the main policies for national development Recent data from the Statistical youths feel alienated and increasingly reasons why developing countries can only produce the same old Institute of Belize shows that in 2020, frustrated, such that the only remain “developing” and why results. Citizens can work alongside persons under 30 years old comprised alternative they see is to migrate developed countries maintain their government to pool ideas and work 64% of the national population. This abroad to seek better opportunities. current status quo. Just as in to develop fresh new approaches to is quite consistent with the 2010 Many young Belizeans who through developed countries, developing be envisioned and implemented. census that also showed a 64% hard work, developed world-class nations need talented citizens to Striving for and strategically engaging portion of the population being levels of skill, talent, and educational contribute to the nation’s positive in economic diversification, for comprised by this group. Of Belize’s achievement often find themselves in growth and socio-economic example, would be a great step in entire population, persons between a position where they cannot even development. If Belize is to move developing more industries. The ages 30 and 54, just before retirement find a suitable job in their home forward, government, private sector, creation of more service-oriented age, represented 27% of the country if they are not closely civil society, all key development economies such as in Barbados could population. Those who are over 55 politically connected and favored. players, and we the young people of help, as this would utilize skilled years old represented 9% of the Many talented young artists, singers, this country must take serious steps labor and also create more population. musicians, athletes, scientists, and to harness the talents not only of those employment for youths. The practice This consistently high percentage of engineers seem to hit a “glass who are qualified and motivated to by government officials of hiring youths and children in our population ceiling” in their efforts to advance contribute, but also those who desire persons based on political and family has stirred within me deep concerns themselves. to further qualify themselves. connections rather than by merit also about its implications for Belize’s After making themselves qualified Perhaps the creation of the must stop, as this practice also stifles future, especially given the lack of with a university-level education, I Ministry of New Growth Industries our country’s growth and frustrates employment and empowerment have heard very many stories of is a great first step, if there are clear, skilled personnel. opportunities for youths trying to youths who return home highly visionary and strategic actions taken Programs to lure Belizeans in the properly nurture and express their motivated to work, only to find to increase opportunities for citizens, diaspora and providing incentives for talents or utilize the skills or education themselves feeling very frustrated, especially the youth. At the same time, that they have attained. dejected, and even depressed when deep reforms in our education system Please turn to„Page 20 Page 20 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 CSSPAR says UDP government overly politicized PSC (From page 1) An excerpt from The Future of the nationalist movement and political Belize Public Service Commission: mobilization vehicle — the People’s A Managerial Analysis, from the United Party. It is a subject which is desk of the coordinator of the Center deserving of continuing review to for Strategic Studies, Policy understand the reasons for the Analysis and Research (CSSPAR), turbulent transition of the Creole- Ambassador David Gibson, states dominated colonial Civil Service to the following: “Over time, the a Belize Public Service, amidst establishment of independent allegations of political tampering service commissions forged the and irregularities in the decisions foundations for merit-based taken by the Public Service recruitment and development of a Commission. There are still vestiges professional civil service in the of the ensuing protracted adaptation United Kingdom. In terms of current of the traditional state institutions, practice for recruitment into the including the Public Service British Civil Service and how this Commission, to the dynamics of has evolved, particularly since the working with the emergent self- adoption of the New Public governing and post-independence Management [1] Model in the 1990s, ruling nationalist political class.” the independent role of the Civil The past remarks of a retired Service Commission has been senior public manager are then retained and reinforced”. quoted in the excerpt. The comments The excerpt then refers to the UK that were made under condition of Civil Service Commission anonymity by the retired public Recruitment guidelines, which state, manager, who is described by “It is a requirement that selection for CSSPAR as respected and recruitment to the Civil Service must knowledgeable, are as follows: “The be on merit on the basis of fair and PSC has, indeed, been politicized open competition. The Commission over the years. Looking back, all the has a statutory duty to ensure that the chairpersons… have been selected merit requirement is upheld and is based on their political not being undermined. In upholding affiliation…Of all these, the PSC the merit requirement the chaired by [Anthony] Sylvester, and Commission considers itself to be a by the current PSC chairman guardian of principles and not of [Charles Gibson] are the most processes.” directly political...the earlier In contrast, states CSSPAR, “What chairmen and members having been has evolved in post-colonial Belize mainly career ‘civil servants’ in is a product of political and good standing.” socioeconomic dynamics linked to CSSPAR then states in the excerpt, the anti-colonial ethos of Belize’s “The effect of the Barrow Administration on the Public Service Commission — in and of itself, the decision of the Barrow Belize’s young, Administration in 2015 to appoint to the Belize Public Service talented, and... Commission the former Minister of the Public Service of his previous Cabinet, and a former Senator of his Continued from Page 19 „ Party, represents an inherently them to invest in Belize can also be egregious and unprecedented considered. Such programs would departure from the practice of serve to not only create employment appointing members of the Public but to engage diaspora Belizeans in Service Commission. However, the transfer of knowledge which they though directly erosive, even gained abroad and in efforts to help contemptuous of the constitutionally contribute to economic growth and prescribed autonomy of the PSC, the diversification. This will also help action taken did not reach the level Belizeans abroad to feel more of a breach of law.” connected to their home country and In describing the context in which its development. this “egregious and unprecedented Belize has an abundance of youths departure” by the UDP took place, who are seeking to be an integral part CSSPAR states in the excerpt, “The of the nation’s development. Leaders Barrow decision becomes more and all of us could start thinking out understandable when it is viewed in of the box to develop more strategies the context of the phenomenon of an to integrate youths at all levels of the unprecedented usurpation of the role development process. This will of the PSC during the period 2008- ensure real sustainable development 2012, when the then Minster of the well into the future. newly recreated Public Service Ministry, wrested away from the PSC control of its independent Service Commissions Office. This created for the PSC an operational dependency on the MPS (Ministry Visit us at of Public Service) for Secretariat www.amandala.com.bz support which had far-reaching negative consequences.” Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 21

BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEES

THE BELIZE BANK LIMITED, a company duly formed and incorporated under the Laws of Belize with registered Office situate at Second Floor, Matalon Business Center, Coney Drive, Belize City Belize hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Assignee under aDeed of Assignment and Transfer of Mortgage between Scotia Bank (Belize) Ltd., (hereinafter called “The Assignor”) of the first part, The Belize Bank Ltd., (hereinafter called “the Bank”) of the second part and Thurman Williams and Berta Orellano (hereinafter called “the Mortgagors”) of the third partwhich wasfiled at the Land Titles Unit in Belmopan City on the 20th Day of April 2016 Instrument: LTU-201600626.The said bank will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the SCHEDULEShereto.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to The Belize Bank Limited or to the undersigned from either of whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO AS

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 59-A comprising 696.567 Square Meters situate in Pomona Village, Stann Creek District shown on a Plan No. 504 of 2011 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 504 of 2011 more particularly shown on a plan of Subdivision of Block No. 5 situate in Hoffman Estate, Near Mile 10, Stann Creek District by Licensed Surveyor K.M. Emmanuel Recorded at the Lands & Surveys Department, Belmopan City, Cayo District in Register 29 Entry 8087 attached to the said property TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

Dated the 11thMarch 2021

The Belize Bank Limited Second Floor Matalon Business Center Coney Drive, Belize City Page 22 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 Suspected drug plane found 67-year-old woman killed in RTA

STANN CREEK DISTRICT, Tues. police were called to Mile 18 on the near Placencia dump Mar. 9, 2021 Stann Creek Valley Road, where upon On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, a 67- arrival they observed the body of During a patrol on the year-old woman passed away due to Dolores Pana, 67 years, of that area, Placencia Road on Saturday, injuries she received when she was motionless on the right-hand side of March 6, police reportedly knocked down by a motorcycle on the the highway,” ACP Joseph Myvett of discovered a crash-landed, Hummingbird Highway. Police say the Police Department said. black and white Beechcraft that Dolores Pana, 67, was Pana was reportedly knocked into Baron aircraft. Near the crash accidentally hit by a motorcycle a ditch near the roadside. The driver site, a number of empty fuel driven by Ernest Arnold during of the motorcycle, Ernest Arnold, containers were also found, Arnold’s attempt to overtake a received minor injuries and will be and police observed, as they vehicle that was going in the same dealt with by police after he receives took a closer look at the direction. medical treatment, according to ACP plane, that the seats had been “This morning, shortly after 6:45, Joseph Myvett. removed — leading them to suspect that the aircraft could be an unpacked drug plane. No other related items From the Publisher were found in the area. Police were not able to establish a Continued from Page 9 fast for him to escape the ships of the link between this crashed „ authorities whose aim was to capture aircraft and another plane, 1950s, fishing was not a really and hang him. I’m just saying. carrying two Mexican profitable occupation. This lobster I spent all my youth hearing stories nationals, which crash-landed fishing bonanza would not have begun about a legendary sailing boat here in Blue Creek. to take place until the 1960s. And there named Poison Arrow. To the best of Police believe that the were no outboard motors in Belize my knowledge, it never competed in PLACENCIA PENINSULA, twin-engine aircraft may have been until the latter part of the 1950s. If I a race because there was no class in STANN CREEK DISTRICT, Sat. there on the Placencia Road for a few am wrong, I stand to be corrected. which it could compete. I think the Mar. 6, 2021 days before their discovery. All along the banks of the Haulover Arrow was around forty feet in length, Creek on both sides, there used to be unique in size here. It was a sailing dockyards which were in the business sloop built by one Gigi Young (Henry of building, maintaining, and repairing Young’s uncle), I am told by my dad, Venezuela’s Maduro receives the sailboats of Belize, which not only at St. George’s Caye. The Arrow, to fished, but moved passengers and repeat, was a legend which came out first dose of Sputnik V cargo up and down the coast. of Placencia, which is 70 miles south Today, such dockyards are few and of the capital city, a long trip by sail. coronavirus vaccine far between. All the sailboats used by There was no road access to “Point” Belize’s fishermen now carry outboard back then. I say the Arrow came out of motors. Sailing as a pure skill and art Placencia because the Young’s were Health Ministry said the has been diminished by the coming of Placencia people. My dad said Gigi second batch of 100,000 outboard motor technology. Young worked all by himself, with an Sputnik V doses had arrived At some point in the 1970s the adze, to build the great Poison Arrow. from Moscow via a flight Baron Bliss sailing regatta on March So this has been some background operated by state airline 9 began to be taken over by the sailing to my column last week about Estrella, Conviasa. doreys, owned by Belize City Cruzita, and Aventurera. I’ve already Venezuela had received residents like Dean Lindo, Eckert been informed, and I’m grateful to have the first 100,000 doses of the Lewis, and George Brown, but been enlightened, that these boats were Sputnik V vaccine on Feb. captained and “crewed”by young men owned by the Rodriguez, Marin and 13. Maduro said authorities from Gales Point Manatee, which is Alamilla families of Caye Caulker. I had administered around 18 miles south of Belize City. have an appointment to talk with a 60% of those doses, The late Collet Maheia, Sr., the sand source who will give me more details. prioritizing medical lighter magnate, was from Mullins In places like the United States, it personnel as well as River. Mullins River is 27 miles south is only rich people who own sailing officials and lawmakers in of Belize City. Before the 1970s, yachts. In British Honduras/Belize, the first phase. Mullins River was as far south as the many boats which competed on Ninth by Reuters Staff The South American country, home Baron Bliss regatta competitors came of March spent the rest of the year as to some 25 million people, has from. fishing vessels. But again, in my th CARACAS (Reuters), Sat. Mar. 6 invested $200 million to buy 10 There has never been any Ninth of childhood there were boats built only 2021 - Venezuelan President Nicolas million doses of the Russian vaccine. March involvement from Dangriga, to race, basically. The owners were Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores The crisis-stricken OPEC nation and we Belizeans know that the middle-class (?) Belizeans like the have received their first dose of also received 500,000 doses of Garifuna men are some outstanding aforementioned Artie Barrow, Bill Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 sailors. Perhaps the 36-mile journey Bowman, Denys Bradley, Karlie vaccine, Venezuelan state television vaccine earlier this week. Maduro from Dangriga to Belize City was too Menzies, Telford Vernon, and so on. reported on Saturday, while the said the government would begin to expensive. Remember that the value These were l6 to 18 foot sloops and country received a second shipment inoculate Venezuelans with the of the Baron Bliss race prizes was Seagull-type craft. I guess you would of the vaccine. Sinopharm vaccine beginning on decreasing each year because of have to include my dad and my Images of both Maduro and Flores Monday. inflation. By the time I was growing maternal uncle, Buck Belisle, amongst receiving their doses were broadcast Venezuela has reported 141,356 up, the prize money could not pay for the boat-owning/racing crowd. And on state television. Maduro said he cases of the novel coronavirus and rigging the sailboats for the regatta. how about “Russian” Smith? Tell me felt “fine” after receiving the 1,371 deaths, well below levels of But the competitive spirit remained more, senior citizens. injection. its South American peers. Many in the fishing and sailing community The Belizean sailing culture, to my “Across the world the studies say opposition politicians and medical here. My father, and neighbors like mind, was the big difference between that the Russian vaccine is a great personnel question those statistics, Artie Barrow, used to race “grape the histories of relatively landlocked vaccine to generate immunity,” saying the true toll is likely far higher leaf” boats in the canal near Bolton Guatemala and seafaring Belize. Maduro said. “We will guarantee all due to a lack of testing. Bridge as children. In the capital city, Today, wealthy Guatemalans have vaccines for the people of Venezuela.” This article was first published by there was a competitive sailing many yachts, and they actively seek Later on Saturday, Venezuela’s Reuters culture, and it went way back, to my the “use and enjoyment” of Belize’s mind, to how we began as a settlement, seas and cayes. This is an intriguing with piracy. It was vital for a pirate’s development, and one about which sailing ship to be faster than his prey, most Belizeans know very little. We AMANDALA - The best there is! from whom he would rob. It was even will learn more at the International more vital for the pirate’s ship to be Court of Justice, I do believe. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 23 National Sports Hall of Fame

by C.B. Hyde (November 7, 2010) ten was given to number one votes, nine for number two’s and so on. The In 1990, eighty athletes were values were tabulated and the players inducted into our National Sports with the highest aggregates were Hall of Fame, ten each of the eight selected. major sports: football, basketball, I recall that the overall best FFB Women’s Director cricket, track and field, cycling, footballer was Ortis Gladden; best boxing, tennis, and ladies softball. basketball player was Henry Usher; receives Concacaf “C” License Their names were inscribed on and best cyclist was Jeffery O’Brien. banners, which were hung from the I don’t remember the other number ceiling in the auditorium of the City ones, but the National Sports Council sport, Miss Iris Centeno is now the Centre. Usually, only three or four of has the record, and perhaps they Women Director for Female Football the most outstanding athletes in a should be published from time to time. and a female coach with a bright single discipline are chosen for a ten- The same committee was future at the Football Federation of year period, but the initial selection appointed by another government, Belize. The FFB takes this covered about fifty years. and they selected members for the opportunity to once again The ten best in each of these sports Hall for the period 1960 to 1990, congratulate Ms. Centeno on her were chosen from amongst all those who were never inducted into the achievement as the first female coach who participated in the eight Hall. Journalists worth their salt holding a CONCACAF “D” and a disciplines up to the year 1960. should want to know the story behind CONCACAF “C” License, the Selection of the original members this omission. highest coaching license held by any of the Hall of Fame was made by a Very little has been done to keep female coach in Belize. committee appointed by the alive the memory of these outstanding The FFB encourages Iris to government. The members were athletes of the past. There are no continue growing her passion for Collet Gill, Telford Vernon, Bertie biographical sketches and no football and continue to encourage Ellis, Eddie Hyde, Brenda Johnson photographs in the only sports center and support females in pursuing their and I (C.B. Hyde), who chaired the we have, but it is not too late to gather dreams and aspirations when it comes selection committee. Roy Young, them while younger members of their BELMOPAN, Wed. Mar. 3, 2021 to the beautiful game. Director of Sports, acted as secretary. families and those who might have The Football Federation of Belize The process used to determine the knowledge of their exploits are still (FFB) takes this opportunity to - press release - honorees is the same as that used alive. The time to act is now, while congratulate Ms. Iris Centeno for recently in selecting the 100 best they are still remembered. It is also being the first woman in Belize to (AMANDALA Sports Ed. Note: players of the National Football time and over to induct members of earn a Concacaf “C” License… The full text of the FFB’s biography League (NFL) in America. the Hall who have already been From a young girl who came from on Miss Iris Centeno can be seen on This is the method that we used. chosen for the period 1960 to 1990, humble beginnings and a love for the the FFB Facebook page.) Each committee member made a list and to choose members for the period of the ten best players in each of the 1990 to 2000. eight disciplines in order of merit - from pages 195, 196 of JANUS: from 1 to 10, i.e., number one being A Collection of Ideas and Opinions Sunday Review the highest rank and number ten being 2007–2012, by C.B. Hyde, Reynolds the lowest on each list. A value of Desktop Publishing, 2020. News Review Talk Show On Krem TV & Krem Radio Live-streaming on Krem Television Face Book Page Girl, 19, dies when boyfriend’s Host: YaYa Marin Coleman Co-Host: Dwight Neal motorcycle crashes Date: Sunday, March 14, 2021 Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon Guest: Katie Numi Usher ORANGE WALK TOWN, Fri. Mar. result of injuries she sustained on Sunday Review will be repeated at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2021 5, 2021 Friday, March 5, when the A young woman, 19, died as a motorcycle she was riding along with her boyfriend crashed into an SUV in Orange Walk. Reports are that Greiza Mendoza was being driven by PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: her boyfriend, Manuel Garcia, on Mile 5 Placencia Road, Stann Creek District, Belize Queen Victoria Avenue in Orange Walk Town. BY ORDER of the Supreme Court, Licensed Auctioneer Fitzgerald A. Joseph will sell the following PropertyON SITE ACP Joseph Myvett of the Police near Mile 5 Placencia Road, Stann Creek District, Belize on Saturday,13th March, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Please note that Department said that Garcia was Social Distancing Protocol will be in full effect and the wearing mask will be mandatory. overtaken by a black SUV which suddenly turned in front of them. Garcia REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL attempted to avoid a collision by riding Placentia North 36 2516 onto the sidewalk, but ended up losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into the vehicle. His passenger, Mendoza, was fatally injured in the process. They were both taken to the Northern Regional Hospital. Mendoza had to be transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where she died from her injuries on Being a piece and parcel of land containing 2.37 acres situated in Seine Bight Village with lagoon frontage and just a stone Monday, March 8. throw away from the Itz’ana Belize Resort & Residencies. The parcel issituatedapproximately 5 Milesfrom Placencia Police have since served the driver Village, Stann Creek District, Belize, beingthe freehold property of Erix Oswaldo Tobar. of the SUV with a notice of intended prosecution after interviewing him at TERMS: STRICTLY CASH the Orange Walk police station. FITZGERALD JOSEPH TELEPHONE: 601-2039 Visit us at Email: [email protected] www.amandala.com.bz Page 24 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021

FFB announces Exclusive Female Coaching Course

in Belize.) National teams.” people who have previously been The month-long D-License Foundation topics to be covered in players, people coming towards the end Coaching Course for females only, is the D-License course include: of their playing career, or people who being hosted by U.K. born coaching Coaching the Game; Technical Drills; just want to learn more about coaching educator Jonathan Hooper, who will Session Planning Part 1; ABCs of and develop in the game, to take this conduct five two-hour sessions, one Football; Principles of the Game; opportunity to sign up for this course.” on each Wednesday from March 31 to Reading of the Game; Small Sided The number of participants for this April 28, each session lasting from Games; Session Planning Part 2; and first course is limited to 30; but for those 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Periodization. who miss it, there are plans to conduct FFB communications director In a recorded statement encouraging the course regionally later in the year. Yashmin Juan described Hooper as a participants to sign up for the course, Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the “long term volunteer from England Hooper said the FFB D-License first part of the course will be who has been assisting the FFB since Course is FREE of cost, and, “while conducted on-line. September 2019. He was appointed the course is aimed at the grassroots, it Females who want to take the to the role of Head of Coaching is possible to use all these principles course should register their interest BELIZE CITY, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 Education in July 2020.” With “a and apply them to any age group; and if by using the link on the FFB In a press release yesterday, the master’s degree in Education” and you have never done a coaching course Facebook page: Football Federation of Belize (FFB) “coaching qualifications from the before, it will greatly improve your https://forms.office.com/Pages/ announced plans for an “Exclusive English FA,” Hooper also has ability to organize sessions and develop ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkW Female Coaching Course.” (There are “voluntary roles” within the FFB as players.” “I want to take this dsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAA currently 218 male licensed coaches, “head coach U17 National teams and opportunity to really encourage any AAAAa__bvTTJRUNkVHS0VFR0Z and only 43 licensed female coaches assistant coach for the U19 and U20 females involved in football, perhaps FUjdVMDU1NkNPWDdQSjNOQi4u Deon’s Ginga Atlanta are undefeated UPSL Champions

to the grit and unity of the team of currently includes more than 300 (USSF) and the United States Adult which Deon was a vital part, that they teams nationwide. Soccer Association (USASA). were able to pull out both wins and The UPSL is the largest Pro Deon should see action with the cap an amazing undefeated season of Development League in North Belize National Team later this month 21 team victories. America. Each UPSL team is in World Cup Qualifiers against Haiti In the UPSL Semifinal against individually owned and in Haiti on March 25, and against Brockton FC United on Friday, Ginga operated. UPSL teams are affiliated Turks & Caicos Islands on March 30 Atlanta was down a man from a red with the U.S. Soccer Federation in the Dominican Republic. card, and with the score tied 1-1 at halftime, upsl.com reports: “Ginga Atlanta maintained a high The Team from San Joaquin level of possession into the second half, however, and took a 2-1 lead in (A 1972 flashback - from page 31 of the magazine, “Football in British the 56th minute when Deon Honduras,” published in January 1972 by Spurs Football Club owner/ McCaulay dished to Castro for the manager, Theodore “Teddy” Gonzalez, Jr.) easy goal.” Ginga would go on to hold on for San Joaquin Village has always had Championship during 1970 in the 3-2 win in regulation. a strong football team, as far as Chetumal, Quintana Roo. And after the shootout Corozal football was concerned, but Almost at the end of the 1970 championship Final victory over not good enough for national Competition, Tito Castro was unable Olympians FC, huracanfcsoccer.com participation. to continue coaching the team due to caught up with Deon: Jose Castro (Tito), former coach of illness; and Mr. R. Ysaguirre, manager, Ginga Atlanta is the first Georgia- Queen’s Park Rangers, came to work approached Mr. Leslie Sharp, former based club to be crowned UPSL with Tate & Lyle Ltd. and made San coach of the Queen’s Park Rangers, BELIZE CITY, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 champions. Joaquin his home. He got hold of the to assist the team during the 1971 With no goals allowed from the “It’s all I imagined and more,” village boys and started training them Competition. open field (2 penalties in the semifinal) said forward Deon McCaulay, a in modern soccer methods. However, The key to the overall success of in over 210 minutes of play between UPSL MVP nominee this season. it was not until Mr. Raymond Ysaguirre this team, in my opinion, is the their semifinal 3-2 regulation victory “No feeling greater than being a appeared on the scene that San Joaquin unfailing and loyal support of Mr. R. on Friday, March 5, and their 0-0 (3- National Champion. It’s the ultimate really started making the headlines. Ysaguirre, sponsor and manager. 1) victory in penalties after double prize for me - bigger than any At that time there were several The Team also owes thanks to the overtime at the championship match individual award - and it feels immigrant stars from the Queen’s Park Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. for giving on Sunday, March 7, Ginga Atlanta’s amazing to know what hard work, Rangers working with Tate & Lyle, assistance from time to time. goalkeeper Alberto Ciroi, who determination and grit will bring,” so he organized this group along with stopped two penalties in Sunday’s McCaulay said. “Our team is a real Tito’s trainees, and thus was the seed (AMANDALA Sports Ed. Note: shootout, was bound to be their “man- family and when you win in a family planted in early 1968 for the present Because of how the dates of their of-the-match;” but for Belizean fans, atmosphere where everyone respects San Joaquin team. championships were expressed in that their reason for joy and celebration of and works hard for each other then Immediately, San Joaquin started on story, it was sometimes not clearly the Ginga Atlanta victory was all it’s very emotional.” the success run when in 1969 they won recalled that San Joaquin won back- because of our hometown hero, Deon It is not the same level as the MLS the Knock-out Championship and was to-back regular season championships. McCaulay, who assisted on the go- (Major League Soccer), which is the second in the National League. In 1970 The seasons usually started in ahead goal in the semifinal. highest in the United States, but the there was no Knock-out competition; September or October, and ended in In both Final-Four playoff games at United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) however, they won the League February or March of the next year. their home field, Silverbacks Stadium Division 1 is still formidable. Championship, which was repeated So, their season championships would in Atlanta Georgia, Ginga Atlanta were According to UPSL Soccer News: again in 1971. In addition to this, they have been for the 1969-70 and the down to ten men; and it is a testament The UPSL was formed in 2011 and emerged victors of a Quadrangular 1970-71 seasons.) Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 25 Hopkins Road to be paved

by Dayne Guy resorts and residents of Hopkins, Sittee River and the surrounding HOPKINS, STANN CREEK communities. Minister of Tourism DISTRICT, Wed. Mar. 10, 2020 and Diaspora Relations (MTDR), The Ministry of Infrastructure Hon. Anthony Mahler; Hon. Julius Development and Housing (MIDH), Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Development and Housing; and Hon. Relations (MTDR), and the Belize Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Tourism Board (BTB), along with Public Utilities and Logistics, met key tourism enterprises in Hopkins, key tourism stakeholders in Hopkins today signed a Memorandum of Village to discuss in depth the paving Understanding to finance the paving project. This project has been of 1.2 miles of the Hopkins Road at a identified as the first priority for the cost of $800,000. This pavement will development of tourism in the area. be a continuation of the pre-existing In a recent press release, the pavement that ends at the GariMaya Ministry of Infrastructure Gift Shop and will be extended to the Development and Housing said, Beaches and Dreams Hotel. “This kind of public-private sector The aim of this project is to partnership is an example of how improve the village’s infrastructure working together and collaborating in an attempt to boost the revenue- can achieve much needed results, generation prospects for hotels, quickly and efficiently.” Page 26 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021

PEDRO DE ALVARADO Y Azul o la Barrera de Coral de Belize. por un lado, y los británicos en década de 1950. Si me equivoco, me CONTRERAS - nacido en Los libros de historia británica Belize, por el otro. corregirán. Extremadura, España en dicen que los europeos entraron en El yate de Barón Bliss, Sea King, A lo largo de las orillas del arroyo 1485; murió en Guadalajara, Belize por primera vez cuando un habría sido un barco con motor Haulover a ambos lados, solía haber España en 1541. pirata escocés llamado Wallace interior. No era un velero. Pero todos astilleros que se dedicaban a descubrió el lugar en 1638. Supongo los pescadores con los que el barón construir, mantener y reparar los Conquistador español y que el “descubrimiento” implicó entró en contacto en Belize habrían veleros de Belize, que no solo gobernador de Guatemala. encontrarse con el fabuloso Cayo estado en veleros. Durante su breve pescaban, sino que transportaban Participó en la conquista de Cuba Half Moon, a 55 millas al este de la estadía en Honduras Británica antes pasajeros y carga a lo largo de la (1511), en la exploración por Juan ciudad de Belize. Belize se convirtió de morir el 9 de marzo de 1926, costa. de Grijalva de las costas de la en un escondite dentro de la Barrera Barón Bliss permaneció en su yate Hoy en día, esos astilleros son Península de Yucatán y el Golfo de de Coral para los piratas británicos en el puerto de la Ciudad de Belize pocos. Todos los veleros utilizados México, y en la conquista de (y franceses) que atacaban a los todo el tiempo. Pero su principal por los pescadores de Belize ahora México dirigida por Hernán barcos españoles que se dirigían interés era la pesca deportiva, y llevan motores fuera de borda. La Cortés. Se le considera el desde México y Cuba de regreso a habría estado hablando mucho con navegación como pura habilidad y conquistador de gran parte de España con la riqueza apropiado de los pescadores locales sobre dónde arte se ha visto disminuida por la América Central, incluidos sus posesiones del “Nuevo Mundo.” encontrar y pescar peces grandes llegada de la tecnología de motores Guatemala, Honduras y El Creo que la máquina de vapor se para peleas emocionantes. En su fuera de borda. Salvador. Aunque conocido por su inventó a finales del siglo XIX. testamento, el Barón expresó su En algún momento de la década de habilidad como soldado, Alvarado Todo lo que estaba sucediendo en los agradecimiento a esos pescadores 1970, la regata de vela Barón Bliss es conocido también por la crueldad mares antes de eso involucraba beliceños financiando una regata del 9 de marzo comenzó a ser de su trato a las poblaciones barcos propulsados por velas. anual de vela para que compitan entre asumida por las lanchas, propiedad nativas y los asesinatos en masa Entonces estaban los españoles, sí y ganen premios. de residentes de la Ciudad de Belize cometidos en el sometimiento de los Alvarado y los que vinieron después No había piratas en Belize en como Dean Lindo, Eckert Lewis y pueblos nativos de México. de él, apoderándose de la riqueza de 1926. Los piratas y sus George Brown, pero capitaneados y las tierras altas de Guatemala, y descendientes se habían involucrado “tripulados” por jóvenes de Gales § WIKIPEDIA básicamente ignorantes de los en la recolección de maderas duras, Point Manatee, que se encuentra a 18 desarrollos en el asentamiento de primero palo de tinte y más tarde, millas al sur de la Ciudad de Belize. Los pueblos indígenas de Belize, cuyos buscadores de fortuna sobre todo caoba, de los bosques de El finado Collet Maheia, Sr., el Guatemala fueron atacados en 1523 europeos habían llegado aquí por mar Belize. Pero muchos de los magnate de las barcazas, era de por una fuerza militar liderada por desde el este. pescadores radicados en la capital, Mullins River. Mullins River está a un conquistador español llamado Me parece que los mayas de esta el Municipio de Belize, y hacia el 27 millas al sur de la Ciudad de Pedro de Alvarado y Contreras, región, Guatemala, México y Belize, sur en pueblos como Mullins River, Belize. Antes de la década de 1970, quien había sido enviado en esta eran más terrestres que marítimos. A Placencia, Sittee River y Monkey el río Mullins estaba tan al sur de violenta expedición por Hernán los mayas les gustaba más remar River, habrían tenido antepasados donde provenían los competidores de Cortés, quien tenía su sede en la canoas que navegar en barcos de vela que habían sido piratas británicos. la regata Baron Bliss. Ciudad de México después de en alta mar, en lo que respecta a su Estos pescadores beliceños no eran Nunca ha habido ninguna conquistar Moctezuma y el imperio estilo de vida y perspectiva. Los blancos, pero no se consideraban a participación del 9 de marzo por azteca. británicos, españoles y franceses, en si mismos como negros. parte de Dangriga, y los beliceños Lo importante a tener en cuenta cambio, eran europeos marineros. Cuando crecía aquí en la década sabemos que los hombres garífunas sobre el ataque de Alvarado, para los Con el fin de establecer una imagen de 1950, la pesca no era una son unos marineros sobresalientes. propósitos de esta columna, es que de cómo fueron las cosas después de ocupación realmente rentable. Esta Quizás el viaje de 36 millas desde fue un ataque por tierra. La fuerza Alvarado en Guatemala y Wallace en bonanza de pesca de langosta no Dangriga a la Ciudad de Belize fue de Alvarado marchó de México a Belize, podemos ver a los mayas en habría comenzado hasta la década de demasiado caro. Recuerden que el Guatemala. Alvarado nunca vio el esta región como estando entre los 1960. Y no hubo motores fuera de valor de los premios de la carrera Cayo Half Moon, el Gran Cenote españoles en Guatemala y México, borda en Belize hasta finales de la Barón Bliss disminuía cada año debido a la inflación. Ya para el momento en que yo era mayor, el dinero del premio no podía pagar el aparejo de los veleros para la regata. Pero el espíritu competitivo permaneció en la comunidad de pesca y navegación aquí. Mi padre, y vecinos como Artie Barrow, solían competir en botes de “hojas de parra” en el canal cerca del puente Bolton cuando eran niños. En la ciudad capital, había una cultura competitiva de navegación, y se remontaba, en mi opinión, a cómo comenzamos como un asentamiento, con la piratería. Era vital que el velero de un pirata fuera más rápido que su presa, a la que le robaba. Era aún más vital que el barco pirata fuera rápido para que pudiera escapar de los barcos de las autoridades cuyo objetivo era capturarlo y colgarlo. Sólo digo. Pasé toda mi juventud escuchando historias sobre un velero legendario aquí llamado Poison Arrow. Que yo sepa, nunca compitió en una carrera porque no había ninguna clase en la que pudiera competir. Creo Vea página „ 27 Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 27

Maud Williams High School UNESCO writes to the Cor. Dolphin & Racoon Street Belize City, Belize Email: [email protected] Government of Belize Tel: 227-6717 The UNESCO World Heritage of the Port of Belize” is reported to Centre has written a formal inquiry to include the dumping of 5 million cubic VACANCY FOR PRINCIPAL the Government of Belize about Lord meters of dredged material at sea in The Board of Management of Maud Williams High School invites Ashcroft’s Waterloo Investment the immediate proximity of the World applications for the permanent post of PRINCIPAL effective September, Holdings Limited’s planned expansion Heritage area, e.g. the South Water 2021. of the Port of Belize’s cargo and cruise Caye Marine Reserve. The Academic Qualifications: facilities. The letter inquires about the Environmental and Social Impact possible environmental impacts of the Assessment for this project, which is • Preferably Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or its project and asks for official comments available at the government website equivalent on the status of the Environmental (https://doe.gov.bz/download/port-of- • Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education or its equivalent Impact Assessment as it relates to the belize-cruiseterminal-esia/), does not Professional qualities: Belize Barrier Reef, a World Heritage seem to assess the possible impacts • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in administration Site. of the development on the OUV of the Below is the letter in its entirety: • Hold a Full Secondary level Teacher’s License property. • In accordance with paragraph 172 Capacity to provide moral, ethical and collaborative leadership Culture Sector World Heritage of the Operational Guidelines, l would • Ability to motivate and encourage team spirit among faculty and Centre be most grateful if your authorities staff concerned could provide the World • Superior communication skillsin both writing and speaking H. E. Mr Bassam Said Freiha Heritage Centre with comments on the Ambassador Extraordinary and • Providestrategic leadership in spearheading the monitoring of matter raised, and in particular on the Plenipotentiary, status of the Environmental Impact school developmental plans and managing day to day operational Permanent Delegate of Belize to Assessment regarding impacts on the plans and processes UNESCO Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) • Possesses organizational and instructional leadership skills UNESCO House of the property. • Capacity to demonstrate Social- Emotional skillsin building Thanking you for your continuous relationship with faculty, parents and students Ref.: CLT/WHC/LAC/CMT/FD/ collaboration and support in the • 3100 implementation of the World Heritage The applicant must have a working knowledge of Educational Rules Convention, I remain, and Regulations and Policies governing secondary schools 23 February 2021 Duties/Responsibilities will include (but is not limited to): Dear Ambassador, Yours sincerely, As per Education Amendment Rules 2012 Rule 37. -1 (a-h), 2(a-h), The World Heritage Centre has Mechtild Rössler, 3 (a-c), 4 (a-e) and 5 received information from various Director sources about new infrastructure • Furthering the Mission, Vision and Values of Maud Williams developments in the immediate cc. Ms. Dian Castillo Maheia, High School. vicinity of the Belize Barrier Reef • Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of In collaboration with the Board of Management, guide the Reserve System, property inscribed on Education, Culture, Science and formulation of school policies, rules and programs. the World Heritage List in 1996, and Technology • Overseeing the daily administration of the school as well as the concerns about the possible impact of Belize National Commission for admission, placement and graduation of students. these developments to the Outstanding UNESCO • Fostering and maintaining a safe school environment and culture Universal Value (OUV) of the Ms. Beverly Wade, Focal Point conducive to teaching and learning. property. World Heritage • Providing educational and instructional leadership in areas of The project entitled “Cargo Ms. Vivian Ramnarace, Assistant Extension and Construction of Cruise pedagogy, curriculum and assessment. Focal Point World Heritage Terminal & Cruise Tourism Village IUCN

Salary: Commensurate with educational qualification and in accordance with From the Publisher en Español Government Pay Scale. Continua de página 26 de vela. En Honduras Británica/ „ Belize, muchos barcos que competían Prospective applicants must submit the following documents: que Arrow medía unos doce metros de el 9 de marzo pasaban el resto del • Cover Letter with resume largo, y su tamaño era único aquí. Era año como barcos de pesca. Pero de • Valid Teacher’s License un barco de vela construido por un tal nuevo, en mi infancia había barcos Gigi Young (tío de Henry Young), construidos solo para correr, • Qualifications (Original transcript) según me dijo mi padre, en Cayo San básicamente. Los propietarios eran • Social Security Card (Certified copy) Jorge. Arrow, para repetir, fue una beliceños de clase media (?) como • Birth Certificate/Passport (Certified copy) leyenda que salió de Placencia, que el antes mencionado Artie Barrow, • Medical Certificate will be requested upon recommendation for se encuentra a 70 millas al sur de la Bill Bowman, Denys Bradley, Karlie the post. ciudad capital, un largo viaje en Menzies, Telford Vernon, etc. Eran velero. En ese entonces no había balandras de 16 a 18 pies y • Police Record (Original) acceso por carretera a “Point”. Digo embarcaciones tipo gaviota. Supongo • Two (2) recent character references que Arrow salió de Placencia porque que tendrían que incluir a mi padre y • Work Permit (where applicable) los Young eran gente de Placencia. Mi a mi tío materno, Buck Belisle, entre • Marriage/Divorce Certificate (where applicable) padre dijo que Gigi Young trabajó la multitud de propietarios de barcos ALL Documents must be certified and any documents in a foreign language solo, con una azuela, para construir el de carreras. ¿Y qué hay de “Russian” Smith? Cuéntenme más, jubilados. must be accompanied by an official English translation. Applicants will gran Poison Arrow. Así que estos han sido algunos La cultura de la navegación de be short listed for interviews. antecedentes de mi columna de la Belize, en mi opinión, fue la gran semana pasada sobre Estrella, diferencia entre las historias de Interested candidates should submit application packages on or before Cruzita y Aventurera. Ya me han Guatemala relativamente sin salida Wednesday, 31 March, 2021to: informado, y estoy agradecido de al mar y la de Belize marinera. Hoy haber sido iluminado, que estos en día, los guatemaltecos adinerados barcos eran propiedad de las familias tienen muchos yates y buscan Chairman Rodríguez, Marín y Alamilla de Cayo activamente el “uso y disfrute” de los Board of Management Hicaco. Tengo una cita para hablar mares y cayos de Belize. Este es un Maud Williams High School con una fuente que me dará más desarrollo intrigante y sobre el que Cor Dolphin & Racoon St detalles. la mayoría de los beliceños saben Belize City, Belize En lugares como los Estados muy poco. Aprenderemos más en la Unidos, solo los ricos poseen yates Corte Internacional de Justicia, creo. Page 28 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021

will be analyzing those numbers to see Flowers additionally mentioned that PSU on Wage Cuts and determine the extent of impact that the union has been engaging its such a proposal will have on public members to sensitize them on the salary cut for public officers for three officers.” government’s proposal, and according years as well as a three-year freeze in Flowers further stated, “And on the to him, the members have been less than increments. surface of things, you could gauge receptive to the news of having their Through a combination of salary between 12.5% when you think of the wages cut. Mr. Flowers stated that some reductions and Increment freezes, the salaries and the increments. And then members have outrightly rejected the government aims to reduce national you have to take into consideration conversation regarding pay cuts, expenditure by $80 million yearly over three years. And then that automatically because they “did not come into a three-year period — thus achieving takes you up to 37.5% of your earnings. government for ten years and left a a total of $240 million in savings. So, this is no small pill, or this is no millionaire” and they “did not create However, while the Financial sweet pill to swallow. This is a bitter this mess”. The PSU have also been Secretary, Joseph Waight, did say that pill. We, of course, are cognizant and conducting surveys which Flowers says the GOB’s meeting with the Public mindful of the economic situation of this they had closed off as of 5:00 p.m. on Service Union (PSU) last week was country. However, we have to look at Tuesday. “amicable”, the PSU is apparently still how we address the broken system that The PSU will be collecting the on the fence and is requesting the currently exists. We’re here because the results of those surveys and has until necessary information to determine the system is broken. We’re here because the 15th of March to respond to the extent of the impact of these salary cuts no one has taken the time to put in place GOB’s proposal. Flowers states that by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) on their members. When asked about structures and mechanisms, the union will be putting together the PSU’s stance on the matter, the accountability, revision of laws, proposals of their own to table to the BELIZE CITY, Fri. Mar. 5, 2021 union’s 1st Vice President, Dean holding people accountable for the Government in the interest of the public Since the start of the year, the Flowers, remarked: “Well, we don’t mismanagement.” officers. government of Belize has been have any position. I think that we’ve engaging in discussions with the said point blank to the Government that country’s labor unions as well as key where any salary cuts are concerned, stakeholders in the private and public we’re dealing with people’s Immigration Department’s sector regarding the necessary expense livelihoods here, and it is a very reductions that will have to be made delicate situation, and it is a situation prior to the presentation of the financial that needs to be analyzed and records to be digitized budget in the National Assembly on researched. And as a result of that, we Friday, March 26. Among the cost- have reached out to the Government and cutting measures that government is we have requested certain information proposing is an approximate 10% where salaries are concerned, and we

by Dayne Guy Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration to support digitization of BELIZE CITY, Wed. Mar. 10, 2021 documents to allow for time-efficient The International Organization for processes at the Department of Migration (IOM) Belize signed an Nationality and Passports Records agreement with the Ministry of Management Unit (RMU). This implementation agreement was signed under the Western Hemisphere Program (WHP) framework, which is a regional project funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration/ (PRM). This framework strengthens the capacity of government to protect, and ease suffering for, forcibly displaced people around the world in a sustainable manner. A major function of the Nationality and Passports Department is to replace lost or mutilated Permanent Residence and Nationality Certificates. Digitization of the system will thus lead to more efficient processes than were possible with the previous record- keeping methods of the department. A release by IOM says, “The present state of records dating as far back as the 1970s makes it challenging and time-consuming to retrieve credible and dependable data.” Digitization of the records will make information available and quickly accessible to Please turn to„Page 31 Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 29 COVID-19 Update (From page 1)

BELIZE CITY. Thurs. Mar. 11, 2021 approximately 30,000 persons over Across the country, persons who 60 years old within our population, fall within the priority groups around 9000 persons from the first selected for vaccination in the first and second parts of the first phase phase of the Covid-19 vaccination of the rollout will be left without a rollout are currently being giving jab after the current vaccine supply their first jabs of the Oxford- is exhausted, and will thus be forced AstraZeneca vaccine. Those who are to wait for the COVAX facility’s healthcare workers, citizens over the allocation. age of 60, and persons who are living This allocation of vaccines should with HIV or cancer, or are on arrive in the country, hopefully, by dialysis are being called by the the end of April and is expected to Ministry of Health and Wellness be sufficient to vaccinate around (MOHW) to pre-register and make 30% of our population. Until then an appointment to be vaccinated. the MOHW is continuing to urge all On Monday, March 8, the Ministry citizens and visitors to the country of Health and Wellness received to continue to adhere to all the 25,000 Covid-19 vaccines from the Covid-19 prevention protocols in government and people of India. place. These vaccines have kept our Recent data shows a total of remain active at this time, and of casualties, taking the total number inoculation program rolling; 12,389 confirmed cases of COVID- 11,972 have been marked as of deaths caused by COVID-19 to however, since there an estimated 19 in the country since the start of recovered. Unfortunately, 2 new 316.. In total, since the start of the 4,000 healthcare workers and the pandemic. Of those cases, 65 fatalities have been added to our list pandemic 89,853 COVID-19 tests have been conducted throughout the country. On March 11, the MOHW announced that 4 new cases had been discovered after a batch of 644 tests were conducted. A total of 10 recoveries were recorded and no new deaths were logged on that day. One person with COVID-19 was hospitalized on that day but did not require intensive care. Ten new cases of the virus were found on the previous day, March 10, from a batch of 622 tests processed. Five persons were marked as having recovered from the virus. Of the three hospitalizations recorded on that day, no one needed intensive care and fortunately, no new death related to COVID-19 was recorded on that day. Over the long weekend, however, one new death was recorded — a male person from the Belize District. From March 6th to the 9th a total of 11 new cases were found across the country and two hospitalizations were recorded, but neither of the two patients needed intensive care. On Friday, March 5, a total of 6 new cases were found in a batch of 467 tests done. Unfortunately, one new death was also recorded on that day — a male person from the Orange Walk District. Internationally, the New York Times has reported that around 325.5 million persons have been vaccinated across the world. However, there is already a disparity between the number of persons being vaccinated in developed countries and the number of persons receiving vaccines In developing countries, with the lower-income countries lagging behind. According to ourworldindata.com, Belize has vaccinated 0.6% of its population so far. Globally, as of 5:04 p.m. CET, March 11, 2021, there have been 117,799,584 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2,615,018 deaths, reported to WHO. As of March 9, 2021, a total of 268,205,245 vaccine doses have been administered. Page 30 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021 Budget presentation delayed 25,000 vaccines from India are here

Continued from Page 1 outlining what has to be done to move „ the country forward. presented on Friday, March 26, 2021. He said that they are currently in The delay in the budget presentation phase two, and with the letter is due to still ongoing budget outlining the five-point proposal consultations that are taking place from the Government coming under between the government and its social fire from the Joint Union Negotiating partners. Team, it is clear that the parties may At this juncture, some members of have to go back to the drawing board. the Joint Union Negotiating Team If this turns out to be the case, the have flatly rejected the proposal for presentation and debate of the budget salary reductions that was put forward for this new fiscal year will be further by the Government of Belize. The pushed back. At this point, the budget Prime Minister is hoping that debate, according to Hon. Briceño, extended consultations will enable the is expected to take place on April 8, Continued from Page 1 Today with the demand, Minister, the government to secure these labor and to last for two days. This means „ Indian government extended that to the unions’ support of the proposals. the country will not officially enter was joined by his CEO and the CEO trans-Atlantic, to the Government of While being interviewed, Hon. the new fiscal year until around mid- in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Canada, Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, Briceño shared that his government April. Foreign Trade, as well as the technical and now Belize.” took a two-pronged approach in The PM says that the budget advisor from the Ministry of Health and In his statement, Minister Michel collectively analyzing the economic proceedings are being delayed solely Wellness, Dr. Natalia Beer, and Dr. Chebat remarked that the vaccines situation with its social partners and to ensure that the dialogue with the Julio Sabido, to receive the donation could not have come at a better time. finding solutions. The first step taken unions is clear and that they on behalf of the Belizean people. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the by government, said Hon. Briceño, understand the present situation and The Honorary Consul of India in people and Government of India for this was to explain to these social partners what will be done. In his remarks, Belize, Mr. Arun Hotchandani, and donation. These vaccines could not the dire economic situation that the he said, “we’re hoping that they will several members of the Indian have come at a more opportune time. country is currently in, after which join us in what we are proposing to community, were also present at the These vaccine doses will allow us to the Government could proceed with them as we present our budget next delivery of the donation. vaccinate almost all those vulnerable the second step — which involves week Friday to the Belizean people.” During Hotchandani’s brief remarks, citizens who are in phase one of our he said, “On behalf of the Prime vaccination plan,” he said. Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and “While we await the first allocation the government and people of India and from the COVAX facility, this week Daytime murder in Belmopan... our High Commissioner in Mexico, it we expect to complete the vaccination gives me great pleasure here today, of all our healthcare workers, and the Continued from „Page 1 Andrea Polanco that the first bullet Minister, to officially accept and following week we expect to initiate that was fired only narrowly missed deliver to the government and people the vaccination of our citizens who are fatally shot. Another man was also him. of Belize, the 25,000 AstraZeneca 60 years and above and have reportedly shot during the fatal Ruiz has been a vendor at the vaccines that have come all the way underlying conditions such as HIV, assault. Belmopan Market Plaza since it down from India.” cancer, and renal failure.” Minister One of the hundreds of opened last year, and sold fish at the He added, “Today, India has Chebat said. eyewitnesses of the incident, the location every Friday. One man has recognized that having this vaccine, they On March 9, the Ministry reported victim’s employee, said that it was said that he spotted a man believed initiated a huge vaccine drive, locally that 1,466 persons have received their the worst day of his life to see his to be the murderer fleeing the scene. in India and as well as internationally, first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. employer murdered in cold blood in Ruiz was shot in the neck and and during the course of the latter part At the end of this week, on March 12, front of his eyes. He told News5’s succumbed to his injury. of the year, India dedicated over a the Ministry will begin to vaccinate couple hundred million vaccines in those persons who fall under section Middle-man facilitates South Pacific, Asia and India regions. b of the first phase of vaccination. Patt’s Tacoma purchase Former president Fox expects Mexico to pass landmark Continued from Page 3 contract with the government, and the „ question that I put to him was whether During former Prime Minister Dean he was concerned about that, and that cannabis bill next week Barrow’s testimony before the concern informed his decision to put commission, Barrow had said that he the contract in the name of Mr. by Diego Ore December but was delayed. had given oral approval for the sale Herrera. That was the substance of the The bill, which easily passed the Senate to Hugo Patt, and Patt said that he question. Mr. Patt did not put the MEXICO CITY (Reuters) Fri. Mar. 5 in a vote in November, would create a asked for the approval to be issued in approval in his own name.” 2021 - Former Mexican President Vicente huge new legal market for marijuana which Herrera’s name instead of his. He added, “I am not making a Fox said on Friday he expected Congress companies like Khiron Life Sciences are Chairman of the Commission of determination on that. Mr. Juvencio to pass its new law to legalize cannabis eager to tap. Inquiry, Andrew Mashalleck, shared told us today that he didn’t have next week, a move that would effectively Canada’s Canopy Growth and The that those actions were deceptive and anything to do with it, but the letter create one of the world’s largest weed Green Organic Dutchman as well as done to mislead or even protect Patt, was issued in Mr. Herrera’s name, markets. Medical Marijuana from California are who, although he no longer has a even though he referred to it as a The bill, backed by the administration among other firms eyeing Mexico. ministerial post, is an area request for purchase by Hugo Patt. So of President Andres Manuel Lopez Grand View Research said in a recent representative of Corozal North and the obvious question was, why was it Obrador, would mark a major shift in a study the global legal market for the plant thus currently sits in the House of necessary to put it in somebody else’s country bedeviled for years by violence could be worth $73.6 billion by 2027. Representatives. name? If you were concerned, the between feuding drug cartels. Lopez Obrador has argued that At the climax of Patt’s testimony, question is whether or not he was Fox, a director at Colombian-Canadian decriminalizing cannabis and other Khiron Life Sciences which focuses on Chairman Marshalleck had asked him concerned that putting the contract in narcotics could help combat Mexico’s cannabis for medical use, has been a long- powerful drug cartels. if he was aware that the purchase of his name would disqualify him from standing advocate for the Fox said he wants to create a marijuana the vehicle could be grounds for his the House. And when you look to the decriminalization of marijuana in Mexico. greenhouse and a laboratory where the disqualification from the House of relevant provisions of the Constitution, “We’re receiving direct information plant will be studied at his Fox Center in Representatives. At the time Patt both qualifications for the Senate and from the lawmakers,” he told Reuters. Mexico. seemed to be unaware of this the House, a contract with the “It’s information that is quite trustworthy “I’m convinced legalization of possibility. government, and the language is, and and solid, and next week this should be marijuana is the first step towards the When asked to elaborate on the I quote, for or on account of the public approved.” legalization of all prohibited products,” subject of possible grounds for Patt’s service, and it doesn’t say what kind A source in the lower house told he said. disqualification from Parliament, of contract, it says any contract, it can Reuters the bill would be discussed on This article was first published by Marshalleck explained, “It is a be the subject of disqualification.” Monday. It was due to be approved in Reuters. Friday, March 12, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 31 PSU rebuffs PM BNTU Briceño’s remarks Simmering utterly disrespectful and intolerable. Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 „ For any leader to suggest that the „ public sector, particularly the Public Officers have not made any proposals.” teachers, have adamantly expressed sacrifices to aid in the austerity and Members of the BNTU are asked to My Dad their disapproval of the proposed recovery efforts of the country is wear their green shirts on days on which Ronald Wilfred Flowers (Parks) cutbacks — with teachers in Stann imprudent and misguided. We wish they report to school. The union will Creek even staging a motorcade in to remind the Prime Minister that the also be doing media rounds and protest of the proposal. Government are partners in the Facebook livestream sessions, starting The protest took place running of the Public Service and his on Friday, March 11. Additionally, simultaneously with the Belize City’s recent comments to our women and simultaneous motorcades, possibly Council’s swearing-in ceremony, public officers are unbecoming of a countrywide, are scheduled to be held which the Prime Minister attended. leader; especially given that they are on March 16, 2021, starting at 9:30 After the ceremony, he was asked to aimed toward Public Officers who a.m. comment on the teachers’ non- were acting in good faith,” stated the The union will also be hosting acceptance of the GOB’s proposal, PSU in its release. simultaneous candlelight vigils on and he indicated that the public The PSU went on to ask all its Wednesday, March 24. Members of Sunrise: January 26, 1940 officers are the only individuals yet members and supporters to wear the union are asked to practice social Sunset: March 9, 2015 to make a sacrifice as a result of the yellow starting on March 12 and distancing and hold the vigils within What we’d give if we could say, hardships brought on by the every Friday until the PSU is small community groups. hello, Dad, pandemic. satisfied that the GOB is serious On March 26, on the day of the budget In the same old way. To hear your The Public Service Union (PSU) about implementing the proposed presentation, the BNTU will hold a voice, see wasted no time in rebutting the PM’s measures for the recovery of press conference, after which further Your smile, to sit with you and chat remarks, which they feel are unjust. Belize’s economy which the union actions will be determined and made awhile. In a press release published on known to its membership. In an So you who have your father, will outline in its counter-proposal. cherish him with care Thursday, March 11, the PSU firstly The proposal, which is due by interview with President Elena Smith she shared that they will wait to see For you’ll never know the heartache thanked the representatives from the March 15, will also include till you see government who met and held recommendations for “expedited what will be the Government’s reaction His vacant chair. discussions with them, but they then enhanced accountability systems,” to their proposals and position but You are loved and missed every shifted their tone as they addressed which they think are necessary to ultimately the membership of the union day Dad. the comments made by Hon. Briceño. restore confidence in the country’s will guide the decision of its executive. Sadly missed by his entire family. “The PSU states for the record, economy and keep the current and “We cannot go to the table and accept that the Union views the recent future governments in compliance anything without our member giving us comments by the Prime Minister as with the laws of Belize that mandate, and so if it is that there is a change to that 10% then we have to take it back to our members and we have to hear from our members if they GOB proposes $240 are willing to accept something less than that 10%. If they are willing to accept something less than ten then we million in salary cuts can put that in the proposal but up to FOR RENT this point they are saying that they are Continued from Page 1 officers with residential mortgages. not willing to accept a salary cut.” FOR RENT: Rooms in Belize City „ The unions have requested data on In responding to the Prime Minister - female only (single occupancy), self- proposing salary cuts and increment the number of public sector comments made yesterday concerning contained, semi-furnished, utilities freezes totaling $240 million over the employees and the cumulative the public servants and teaching included. For further details call: 223- next three years. The reduction in salaries in salary bands starting at President Smith said,” I think the Prime 7012 or 628-1561 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. salaries is proposed to begin in the $10,000 and those salary bands that Minister should understand that as a coming fiscal year and to remain in are higher by a multiple of $2,000. union we don’t just jump up because place until the fiscal year 2023/2024, The Financial Secretary committed we want to jump up and our union NOTICE saving an estimated $180 million to providing this data to the unions BNTU have proven itself that we have over those three years. by March 8, 2021. Also, the full list been out there on the front line we have NOTICE: If drinking is a problem The letter, written to the leaders of Government employees is taken some lick because we have stood and the problem is drinking. There is a of the Belize National Teachers Union expected to be provided soon. up for not just ourselves but for the solution. A group of us who have (BNTU), the National Trade Union While these proposals have been entire country.” President Smith said recovered from drugs and alcohol are Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the put forward by the Government, the here to help. Call 633-2849. Public Service Union (PSU), and the unions will have to give their consent NOTICE: I, Desiderio Chinchilla, Association of Public Service Senior before they can be implemented. Immigration hereby declare the registration title for Managers, states, “It is expected that Recently, the president of the Public M/V: Alanna, SC-0635 has been lost. the unions will recommend the Service Union stated that they made method by which such minimum no proposal to the Government Department’s... savings will be achieved, for pertaining to salary cuts. Instead, they Continued from Page 28 LIQUOR LICENSE example, by way of a flat rate across- focused on looking at ways to „ the-board adjustment or a increase revenue, as well as putting allow for timely response to queries NOTICE progressive salary band-based in place structures and monitoring that may arise. adjustment.” systems to ensure that Government At the end of the digitization, the LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: Along with the reduction in performs responsibly and shares the department will be enabled to manage Notice is hereby given that Miller’s salaries, GOB will also continue its tax burden. He shared that of these and maintain a database of Depot is applying for a Restaurant freeze on increments for the next three proposals put forward by the joint comprehensive information on every Licence, to be operated at Miller’s years, saving an approximate $20 union negotiating team, none were a Permanent Resident and Naturalized Depot, 889 Hattieville St., Roaring million per year, or a total of $60 part of the proposals issued by the Belizean. Creek Village, Cayo, under the million, according to the letter. Government. Dr. Gilroy Middleton, the Chief Intoxicating Liquor Licence Ordinance The Government also reassured the The President of the Belize Executive Officer in the Ministry of Revised Edition 2000. unions that at retirement, the pensions National Teachers Union (BNTU) has Immigration, said, “This strategic LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: of the affected public officers will gone on the record to reject the partnership with IOM is in line with Notice is hereby given that John be calculated as if the three-year proposals for the salary cuts put the Ministry’s vision of becoming a Roberson is applying for a Restaurant salary adjustment never took place. forward by the Government of Belize. modern and proficient immigration Licence, to be operated at Treys Barn The Government will also make In total, public servants could be organization which contributes to the and Grill, Mile 54, Teakettle Village, efforts to encourage the National facing a 10% salary cut if these sustainable development of Belize by Cayo, under the Intoxicating Liquor Bank of Belize and the Development proposals are accepted and providing world-class protection and Licence Ordinance Revised Edition Finance Corporation to assist public implemented by the Government. travel facilitation services.” 2000. Page 32 AMANDALABelize Friday, March 12, 2021