Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1

NO. 3461 CITY, TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021 (16 PAGES) $1.00 Teachers reject PM’s “last” offer Members of the BNTU staged a series of blockades on bridges and roads across the country. PSU votes to continue strike

BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021 Today the Public Service Union (PSU) released a video that informed all its members and other public officers that the union has received a mandate , Mon. May 17, 2021 how to proceed following their from its membership to continue Over the weekend the leadership receipt of the Prime Minister’s “last, its industrial action. of the Belize National Teachers Union best offer.” The announcement was made sought feedback from its membership after a weekend gathering and an in an effort to obtain a mandate on Please turn to„Page 15 effort by union leaders to survey members of the union to determine their collective Another narco jet lands in position on the most recent proposals made by the Government Please turn to„Page 14 northern Belize 21 COVID-19 cases Woman dies at Princess Casino in tragic RTA

BLUE CREEK, Orange Walk later be seen, in air asset surveillance District, Fri. May 14, 2021 footage, is the swarming of the plane In the late hours of Thursday night, by a group of armed persons — at by Dayne Guy a luxury business jet carrying least 60 persons, reportedly— who suspected cocaine landed in Blue George Price Highway, Cayo Creek, in northern Belize. What could Please turn to„Page 14 by Dayne Guy District, Fri. May 14, 2021 A traffic accident on the BELIZE CITY, Belize. Sun. May 16, 2021 George Price Highway on On Saturday, May 15, 82 members of the staff Friday, May 14, left one PM optimistic about of the Princess Casino were tested for COVID- woman dead and several other 19, and 21 of those persons were found to be people injured. infected with the virus. The outbreak has According to police bond restructuring surfaced just a few weeks after the government reports, officers were notified (See story on page 13) decided to allow the gambling Please turn to„Page 15 Please turn to„Page 14

Land borders remain closed (See story on page 3) Page 2 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021 BPAHM pushes for food Iris Salguero represents security in Belize Belize in the 69th pageant

BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021 The current Miss Universe Belize, Iris Salguero, has been in Hollywood, Florida, for the past week representing Belize at the 69th edition of the Miss Universe pageant. She is the 31st beauty queen to represent Belize in this international competition. Salguero is a 24- year-old San Pedro local who ran on a domestic violence awareness platform inspired by her own experiences during a past abusive relationship. by Dayne Guy efforts of countries in the region She financed her own high toward meeting Sustainable school education and BELIZE CITY, Fri. May 14, 2021 Development Goal #2, which is graduated as salutatorian, and On Thursday, members of the focused on ending hunger, achieving she now plans to further her House of Representatives and the food security, and improving studies with a Bachelor’s met at the House of Culture nutrition and food security degree in digital marketing. in Belize City for the first working worldwide. FAO believes Salguero and 73 other delegates competition in 2018. meeting of the Belize Parliamentary eradicating hunger and malnutrition participated in the National Costume Although Miss Mexico Universe Alliance Against Hunger and by 2030 requires strategies, public Competition as well as competition Andrea Meza took the title of Miss Malnutrition (BPAHM). At the policies, national laws, and in other preliminary categories, Universe 2021 on coronation night, meeting, the technical working programs that ensure equitable which all culminated with the final Salguero took to social media to committee of the alliance provided access to food and improved diets. Miss Universe coronation night on express her gratitude for the support an update on the progress of the In 2019, Belize joined 19 other May 16, 2021 at the Seminole Hard of the Belizean people, saying, initiative, and they expressed their countries in this coordinated fight Rock Hotel and Casino. Salguero’s “Thank you for the love and support commitment to advocate for needed against food insecurity and national costume was inspired by the that you guys have been showing me.” policies, legislation, activities and malnutrition. Baron Bliss Lighthouse, and during She went on to say, “I am more than awareness campaigns that can The BPAHM is currently the evening gown competition she satisfied with the fact that you guys minimize hunger and malnutrition. spearheaded by the Speaker of the wore a dress designed by Filipino are proud and that you’re satisfied. I The Parliamentary Alliance House of the Representatives, Hon. fashion designer Jian Lasala. am grateful for this experience and Against Hunger and Malnutrition for Valerie Woods. Members of both the Salguero is no stranger to the I’ve met wonderful women, and I and the Caribbean current government and the international pageant scene, as she know that I left my heart on that was first established in 2009 by the Opposition have voiced their represented Belize at the stage.” Miss Belize Universe also Food and Agriculture Organization support for the initiative. In Pageant in 2016, at the expressed her belief in “divine (FAO) with the aim of steering the acknowledgement of that bipartisan pageant in 2017, and in the Miss timing” and wished all the best to support, Woods commented, “It is an America Latina del Mundo Miss Universe 2021. example that with inter-ministerial collaboration, bi-partisan support Fuel prices and joint alliances between the House of Representatives and the Curfew to continue, Senate, there are sound rise again parliamentary institutions and says COMPOL initiatives that carry over with new parliaments for the wider benefit of BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, the population.” 2021 The alliance comes at a needed Over the weekend, on time. Woods noted, “Belize’s health Saturday, May 15, the 30-day statistics, particularly in relation to curfew period that had been food insecurity, under-nutrition, established by Statutory obesity and non-communicable Instrument no. 51 came to an diseases, further demonstrate the end. critical need for the country to have However, the Commissioner a serious long-term commitment to of Police, Chester Williams, BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021 promote healthy eating and a published a Facebook post Over the weekend, on Saturday, healthier lifestyle, with a particular which informed the public that the 5:00 a.m. the following morning on May 15, the pump prices of two types focus in our schools. BPAHM brings curfew period has been extended. Fridays and Saturdays. of fuel increased. this commitment from the highest Many in the public were outraged by The curfew for children will The Government of Belize issued level of decision making.” the use of such an informal medium remain the same — from 6 p.m. to 6 a release late on Friday evening to So far, the alliance has engaged to make this type of announcement. a.m. each day, with children being inform the nation of increases in the in the promotion of family gardening, He later posted a copy of SI no. 52 allowed out with a parent beyond prices of premium and regular school feeding programs and school of 2021. their curfew time. gasoline, effective May 15, 2021. gardens. Under the new SI, which was Under the previous UDP Premium gas, which previously At the meeting on Friday, gazetted on May 14, 2021, an administration, which had been was being sold for $11.26 per gallon, members of the working committee additional 30-day curfew period, tasked with tackling the pandemic in now costs $11.54 per gallon, after a further exchanged suggestions and which started on May 15, 2021, was its early stages, the former Attorney 28-cent increase. The price of regular ideas for new interventions and put in place, on the heels of the end General, Michael Peyrefitte, usually gas has been increased by 26 cents, activities. These, in turn, will guide of the previous curfew period. The presented to the public, the details of from $10:69 to $10.95 cents per the initiative for the remainder of the hours at which the curfew for adults a new SI before it was legislated — gallon year, 2021, and will also be a source starts and ends will continue to be and many members of the public now The prices of other fuel products of insight when an official work plan 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. from Sundays view that approach as the proper remain unchanged. for 2022 is drafted. to Thursdays and from midnight to protocol for the passing of such laws. Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 3 Land borders PSU members mulling remain closed over GOB’s offer (From page 1) BELIZE CITY, Sat. May 15, 2021 On Friday, the 1st vice president of the Public Service Union (PSU), Dean Flowers, told local media that when approximately 200 members of the union were surveyed immediately after the last meeting between the government and the Joint Unions Negotiating Team, the initial response of the majority of those 200 members to government’s last BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021 and use the protocols that we have at proposal was favorable. The land borders of Belize have been the airport to be able to put it in place Over the weekend the union rolled closed since the outbreak of the Covid- at the land, and basically the important out a national survey of its members 19 pandemic. Earlier on, a large number thing is to be able to make sure that in order to get a general mandate as of cases were brought into the country everybody takes a Covid-19 test to a way forward. He said that those mechanisms by so-called border jumpers. coming into Belize to ensure as best as Flowers shared, “We want them to would have to be free of political Primarily these border jumpers were we possibly can that they are not have a clear understanding of each interference in order for such bodies persons using the Rio Hondo and infected and sick with Covid,” said the point, and especially the key point to carry out their tasks of oversight nearby border crossings to ferry Prime Minister. which speaks to the new proposal effectively in order to ensure that the Mexican goods to Belize for sale. Laws For now, there is a temporary ban that we are seeing for the first time, government’s primary balance goals prohibiting such actions were passed on the entry of travelers from India and which concerns the performance are met and the bonuses are paid. by the Barrow administration when into Belize. These two bonus.” “The group that we spoke to last cases flared up in the north, and the countries have seen a surge of Covid- During a televised public address night seem[ed] to [be] favorable and penalties for those who violated such 19 cases and deaths. A new double last week, Prime Minister Hon. John amenable, if it is that we can get a laws were severe. variant of the virus is being pinpointed Briceño informed the nation of a clear understanding and if we can Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño by some experts as the cause of the new performance bonus that his agree on the ground rules on how that says that the borders must remain deadly wave impacting those countries. administration was proposing to offer social partnership agreement would closed until his administration can find “We have put a temporary ban from to public workers to offset the impact work as well as how those a way to set up detection and people traveling that have gone to India of the salary cuts. The bonus, specialized units would function as enforcement protocols and processes from coming into Belize because of the however, will only be paid if the it relates to ensuring that we monitor that are similar to those in place at the very same issue. We are hoping that in country achieves its primary balance costs as well as ensuring that we International Airport. the next few weeks that we could be target for each year. maximize on our revenue collection,” “One of the things that we have been able to put also the protocols as to how In reference to government’s final Flowers said. discussing is for us to be able to open we can open the land border safely,” set of proposals, and to the proposed He noted that while some around up borders and the land borders safely PM Briceño said. performance bonus in particular, the discussion table are displaying Flowers stated, “In terms of the signs of negotiation fatigue, others response that we’ve received, the are just warming up. However, he initial set of responses that we have also mentioned that he is not sure that received would appear that members there will be another negotiation are, they would appear favorable to meeting regarding the proposal, since the government[‘s] final set of the government’s team had said that proposals. However, that is what was presented was the last contingent on our ability to put the approved set of proposals. ground rules in place so to speak, Flowers said that when their because as you would know, from the discussion with the members of the government[‘s] latest set of proposals unions is concluded, they will go and in particular where any form of back to the government with a compensation may be concerned, that decision from the joint unions. He hinges on the performance of what I outlined that while one union may would describe as some specialized agree to the new proposals, another units, as well as on a tripartite social may reject them. The Belize National partnership agreement, and so those Teachers Union has been adamant that are some of the ground rules that we they would not accept the 10% salary have to iron out. “ cut without meaningful concessions. Aggravated burglary in Benque Viejo

by Dayne Guy The family was then bounded inside their home and the perpetrators San Ignacio Town, Cayo. Sun. May ransacked the home — stealing a 16, 2021 variety of items, including footwear, On Sunday, May 16, around 5:30 among other items. The robbers then p.m., the police responded to a report escaped in the stolen Toyota Hilux. of aggravated burglary on Benque During an investigation of the Viejo Road in San Ignacio. incident, the police discovered Upon arrival at Alicia’s Variety surveillance footage that shows the Store, the police spoke to Luis perpetrators passing the Santa Rosa Martinez, a resident of the home, who Checkpoint, then making their way said that he and his family were into Guatemala. The Police inside their home when 3 Hispanic Department has said that it is males entered and held the family at following credible leads regarding gunpoint and demanded keys for the the whereabouts of the burglars, who 2008 Toyota Hilux parked are believed to be Guatemalan downstairs. nationals. Page 4 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021 PM prepared to support TNC deal?

of finance has the legal authority to look at the deal. write off taxes, especially when it “Conservation is an important part comes to over 5 million dollars, and of Belize. People come to Belize not the amount of taxes is way beyond 5 to go to a shopping mall, but they come million dollars, that have to go to the to look at the beauty that we have, and National Assembly. The Deputy we need to be able to do everything Prime Minister at the time signed that possible to protect that. These 200 and agreement, and the Prime Minister odd thousand acres that they are fully aware of it. There was no buying, that they want to protect, is a National Assembly. The House had good thing, and something that we already been dissolved,” PM need to see how we can support. We’re Briceño pointed out. going to find a way how we can The PM said that while the country support, but of course the way it was wants to support the conservation being done has to be tweaked. It has efforts being advanced by the agency, to be improved and [done] in such a the financial predicament of the way that both sides can win,” the Prime Minister said. BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021 of Belize and The Nature nation forces them to take a closer The incomplete Belize Mayan Conservancy was publicized when Forest land deal continues to be a Minister Henry Usher revealed the matter that must be addressed by the near 50-million-dollar tax write-off Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, granted to the conservation agency National Trade Negotiations who must decide whether to deliver during an address to the House of the final stroke of the pen that will Representatives during the budget make the agreement official, or to debate. Commission activated backtrack from the arrangement, At the time that the write-off was which the previous government granted, Former Minister of Lands (UDP) had entered just before the and Deputy Prime Minister, Hugo Patt general elections in 2020. On Friday, had signed the agreement, but the deal when asked about the deal, Prime was not finalized. At the time of the Minister Briceño commented that signing, Parliament had already been while the members of the UDP are dissolved, and according to Prime being hypocritical in the narrative Minister Briceño, an agreement of they’ve been presenting to the public that magnitude could not be approved about the transaction, he is prepared without that agreement being taken to to find a way to support it. the National Assembly. The deal between the government “No prime minister or no minister Nephew of UDP deputy leader busted with drugs BELIZE CITY, Thurs. May 13, 2021 classified the NTNC as the “formal Last Thursday, the government of mechanism” through which the Belize issued a press release that government will undertake trade announced the inauguration of the negotiations. National Trade Negotiating “The Government of Belize Commission (NTNC), which was deems… to consult with you all. Not reactivated by Cabinet in February. only as a requirement under the The tripartite body will inform revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and Cabinet’s decision-making process the economic partnership agreements for relevant national trade and trade- with the European Union and the related issues, and where appropriate, , but also as a part of will participate in negotiations. the commitments of this administration The press release which announced to the promotion of trade. The main by Dayne Guy According to reports, sometime the reinstatement of the NTNC also objective of this consultative before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, explained that, at an introductory mechanism is to ensure that the LADYVILLE, , Tues. police saw Ian Patt carrying a heavy meeting of the NTNC, an overview decisions made by the government in May 11, 2021. plastic container from his freight- was laid out of the current trade trade and trade-related matters be On Tuesday, May 11, the police liner truck across Scissors Tail Street negotiation agenda in preparation for taken in consultation with all relevant intercepted a large drug trafficking in Ladyville village. Bowen and the first official meeting of the stakeholders, to ensure that our operation that was underway in the Andrews later picked it up and commission, which is scheduled to negotiations and decisions are done village of Ladyville. During the attempted to put it in a Chevrolet take place in June 2021. The objective in the interest of our country and our police’s search, they found 63 pounds Trailblazer. When the police of that meeting will be to “address economy. The membership of the of marijuana in vehicles allegedly investigated the situation, they found trade and trade-related challenges as NTNC includes government being driven by 30-year-old Ian Patt, 27 bricks of marijuana that totaled well as identifying opportunities.” representatives, private sector and 56-year-old John Edwin Bowen, and 63 pounds in weight. The ceremony was held at the Best society organizations that exist and 43-year-old Eustace Oswaldo Richard “Dickie” Bradley, who is Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza operate in Belize. It is recognized that Andrews, who were all jointly the attorney representing the in Belize City and featured a keynote trading is the purview of the private charged for possession of controlled suspected drug traffickers, explained address from Hon. Ramon Cervantes, sector, with government acting as a drugs. to the media that only 3 of the persons Minister of State in the Ministry of supporter and facilitator of trade to Ian Patt is reportedly the nephew involved have been charged. Two Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and promote the interest of the Belizean of former Deputy Prime Minister and were charged with drug possession Immigration, as well as remarks from people…Now our country will current deputy leader of the UDP, for the purpose of “doing business” co-chairs, Mr. Andy Sutherland, operate with a proper consultative Hugo Patt. Furthermore, an and the other for supplying it. Director General of the Directorate mechanism and process which investigation revealed that the The defendants made a motion in General for Foreign Trade; Mr. Emile engages our stakeholders. We seek to parliamentarian, Hon. Patt, is the the court for bail and believed that Mena, private sector representative; ensure that the interests of all pertinent registered owner of the vehicle that the Magistrate had no legal reasons and Ms. Marissa Longsworth, stakeholders are considered in the was used in the alleged smuggling for denying them. Nonetheless, the president of the Belize Chamber of negotiations and interpretations of operation. That vehicle has since Commerce and Industry. trade agreements. Today we declare been confiscated by police. Please turn to„Page 14 During his speech, Hon. Cervantes the NTNC fully operational,” he said. Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 5 Homegrown or Home Alone?

The bamboozled masses of the Belizean people have been big bank accounts can hire top lawyers to find those relatively silent, though interested, observers in the long- loopholes, and even find ways to reward government officials standing negotiations between Government and the Joint or politicians who “look the other way” or somehow facilitate Unions, which have been centered around government’s their predatory adventures in our struggling little economy. proposed, and already legislated, though not yet So, with all our laws, and all our natural resources, wonderful implemented, 10% salary cut and 3-year wage freeze for public climate and beautiful people, Belize is now at rock bottom – officers — an action the financial experts have declared as bruk. And the consensus of those who should know, our the minimum that needs to be done to give government room public officers, is that the major cause is corruption. So, to maneuver and try to restructure the gigantic Super Debt either our laws need fixing, closing loopholes, or those charged Bomb that our country now faces. With the rest of the with implementing those laws need to start doing their jobs; country’s labor force already taking a licking, many out of or both. In fact, fixing our laws, closing those loopholes, work for a year since Covid-19 arrived on our shores, union may be the best incentive to make those inclined to being members helped to justify their resistance against the 10% corrupt, to start doing their jobs righteously. cut by raising a cry for good governance measures, citing So, now: the UDP leader had a two-edged machete to chop rampant corruption in government as the major cause of our off the head of corruption. And see where we are now? Can financial crisis. Making that sacrifice now, they argued, will we fault the unions for being a bit hesitant when the PUP be meaningless if we don’t collar the culprit of corruption; leader now promises a homegrown remedy to provide “good and, with a history of failure from both the PUP and UDP in governance”? this area, they proposed we should hang our best hopes for Indeed, many of the items P.M. Briceño listed in his Good stomping out corruption on the implementation of UNCAC Governance Reform plan sound really encouraging, exciting (The United Nations Convention against Corruption). even. There is the “Protected Disclosures/Whistleblowers However, in P.M. Briceño’s May 12 National Address Protection Bill,” the “Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained summarizing his government’s “Good Governance Reform” Wealth Bill,” the “Campaign Finance Reform Bill,” the “Audit plan, which was featured on this week’s Belize Times headline of Petro Caribe Funds,” and the “Rationalization of Public and elaborated on two full pages of the paper (pages 7 & 8), Service.” Strangely, the latter makes no mention of a return there was no mention of UNCAC. Everything is to be to Permanent Secretaries. And there is no mention of UNCAC “homegrown,” both our economic remedies and our good (United Nations Convention against Corruption). Why not? governance reform measures. The UNCAC is no magic potion that will cure all our With the government’s last, governance problems. But it is a structured approach best offer on the table, union designed by the United Nations to assist governments to deal members will decide if they with this global problem. And it is in the drafting of those are ready to “bite the bullet” laws to plug loopholes that they offer their most assistance. and accept the inevitable 10% (estb. 1969) Do we really want to stop corruption? We’ve heard the Business and editorial offices: cut, along with the listed difficulty our Attorney General’s office has because of a 3304 Partridge Street, Belize measures in government’s shortage of legal drafters. Well, that is exactly the area where City, Belize, Central America Good Governance Reform UNCAC provides access to this kind of help. is printed twice weekly by the plan to stomp out corruption. Under pressure from the BNTU back in 2016, the former Amandala Press. The economic picture has UDP government did make a few steps toward implementing Telephones: 501-280-4703/ been painted quite UNCAC. But they stopped short. 501-202-4477 convincingly, so it will be hard We googled UNCAC and got a good idea of how serious for the unions not to choose they are: Publisher: Evan X Hyde the 10% sacrifice, rather than “The United Nations Convention against Corruption is the Editor-in-chief: Marco Lopez facing the IMF bogeyman, only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument… The Business Manager: Jacinta Hyde which could be worse. But vast majority of United Nations Member States are parties to will they also go along with the the Convention.” It was “Adopted by the UN General Make-up & Design homegrown good governance Assembly: 31 October 2003… Entry into force: 14 December Artist: Andrea Dennison measures? Will they have a 2005… Signatories: 140… Parties: 187 (as of 6 February Executive Secretary: Odessa choice? 2020).” Robinson Smith Corruption has been a At a member’s request, they select expert representatives Compositor: Tyra Welch worldwide problem, and from other countries to do a review and assessment of that Lithography: Clive Smith Belize is no exception. But it country’s situation: “The documents produced by the Printers: Kent Brooks is an accepted fact that small Implementation Review Mechanism, including all executive countries often suffer the summaries of country review reports, as well as national legal worst from corruption, as their texts, and information about relevant authorities can be Please email Correspondence: resources and assets are accessed from the Country Profiles Database.” [email protected] exploited by large foreign It’s all there. And they did a review on Belize’s laws. Belize’s entities, while enriching a few (no Signature Date) “Accession date: 12 December 2016.” Advertisements to: locals at the expense of the [email protected] And in our “Review cycle: 1 (Chapter III and IV),” our reviewing masses. countries were Haiti and Tuvalu. For our “Review cycle: 2 Mailing Address: It is not that we don’t have (Chapter II and V),” our reviewing countries were Uruguay Amandala Press laws. We have a Constitution and the Marshall Islands. 3304 Partridge Street and a whole body of laws that After reviewing Belize’s laws and comparing them with the c/o P.O. Box 15, should protect us against relevant Chapters above, the foreign experts made their Belize City, Belize corruption. But laws observations and recommendations in a 120-page report, in sometimes have loopholes, which they said they believed we had Please turn to Amandala’s website: and smart businessmen with fallen short: „Page 6 amandala.com.bz Page 6 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021 PAHO intensifies efforts in the Americas

by Dayne Guy Dr. Etienne stated, “We’re also helping countries safely scale their Washington DC, USA, Wed. May 12, oxygen production and make needed 2021 investments in equipment updates, COVID-19 infections continue to maintenance, and human resources so surge in the Americas. Intensive care oxygen is consistently available, units of many nations in the region are everywhere, now and into the future.” nearing 100 percent occupancy. There The influx of patients into hospitals is still limited access to ICU beds, in the Americas has severely depleted oxygen and vaccine supplies. As a the oxygen reserves. “This is a clear result, the Pan American Health sign that transmission is far from being Organization (PAHO) has pledged to controlled in our region,” said Dr. boost its support for the region. Etienne. Additionally, traces of India’s In regard to the increased need for B.1.617 variant were found in the oxygen supplies in Latin America and Caribbean and Latin American the Caribbean, the Director of PAHO, countries of Aruba, St. Maarten, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said, “A typical Guadeloupe, Panama and Argentina. COVID patient can require up to This variant is often considered a more 300,000 liters of oxygen during a 20- dangerous and easily transmissible day hospital stay. Patients in critical variant of the coronavirus. care often need double that. So, it’s To support struggling health units in no surprise that the rise in the region, PAHO has deployed over hospitalizations across our region [is] 400 emergency medical teams and has triggering an unprecedented oxygen set up alternative medical care sites supply challenge throughout the across 23 countries in the Americas. Americas.” In response to the low The World Health Organization also levels of oxygen, the Pan American authorized the use of China’s Health Organization has donated more Sinopharm vaccine after an in-depth than 7,000 pulse oximeters and nearly review. Sinopharm will now join the 2,000 oxygen concentrators to Pfizer-BioNtech, AstraZeneca, regional health facilities. Johnson and Johnson and Moderna On Monday, May 10, the Karl jabs as the vaccines authorized for use Heusner Memorial Hospital received by the UN health agency. This packages of personal protective announcement expands the list of equipment, pulse oximeters and oxygen vaccines that countries can receive concentrators from PAHO. through the COVAX facility. Homegrown or Home Alone?

Continued from Page 5 obtain or retain business or other „ undue advantage in relation to One example is listed in the conduct of international Chapter III, Criminalization and business.” Law Enforcement: “Article 16. “(a) Observations on the Bribery of foreign public officials implementation of the article: and officials of public The reviewing experts concluded international organizations. that Belize has not taken the Paragraph 1 of article 16: 1. Each necessary measures to State Party shall adopt such implement paragraph 1 of article legislative and other measures as 16 of the Convention.” may be necessary to establish as “(b) Challenges and a criminal offence, when recommendations: It was committed intentionally, the recommended that Belize promise, offering or giving to a criminalize active bribery of foreign public official or an official foreign public officials and of a public international officials of public international organization, directly or indirectly, organizations in accordance with of an undue advantage, for the the Convention.” official himself or herself or This is just a snippet, the tip of another person or entity, in order the iceberg. Will the unions trust that the official act or refrain from our leaders to do a good acting in the exercise of his or “homegrown” job of “Good her official duties, in order to Governance”? Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 7 Flood flies halted war

by Colin Hyde Food Products Ltd. at Alta Vista in the business, he is partly wrong because separation of powers for the good of Stann Creek Valley back in 1983, the not only are we all members of the all Salvadorans.” Ah, teleSur noted I don’t own the book, The Caste company’s workers, who were earth race, his country is right next that the “dismissals were approved by War of Yucatán, by Nelson Reed, so represented by UGWU, were about door to us, and many El Salvadorans 64 votes against 19.” I’m off the hip here when I say the cry deciding on a new Collective call Belize home because of the 1980s Matt Charles, in a May 15th story was “Shekanic”, in what must be the Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the civil war there. But we can’t be too titled, “ ‘We’ve tried democracy and most fascinating withdrawal from the company. These battles were critical about how he carries out his it failed’: Adoring El Salvadorians battlefields, ever. According to the legendary, grand theater. job, because our troubles are small swoon over their millennial dictator,” story, there was a point during the War I’d been at the company maybe not compared to theirs. Wow, 6.5 million which I found on Yahoo (it was of Races when our Mayan brothers more than a month when I saw the farm people in a country smaller than reproduced from The Telegraph), had our Spanish and Ladino brothers manager, my direct boss, Brother Belize! wrote that the outside world is shocked with their backs against the wall, but Natividad Obando, driving off mid- 2017 statistics from by the actions of Bukele, but inside El instead of pushing their advantage and morning in his Toyota to the ourworldindata.org shows that Belize Salvador his popularity can’t stop forcing them to surrender, they turned showdown in Dangriga. I was told to had a population density of 16 persons growing, his approval rating soaring away and headed home, to sow di not expect him back until night, but he per square kilometer, China had 148 “as high as 91%.” corn. returned shortly after lunch. I gathered persons per square kilometer, India “Bukele is one of us. He’s a man of We’re in the month of May, and from him that the unionists were not had 450 persons per square kilometer, the people,” Omar Ticas, a 32-year- traditionally in these parts the men out for a fight; they readily agreed to and El Salvador, wow, had 308 old telephone salesman told The who plant the fields, a few with the roll over the old CBA. persons per square kilometer. Get the Telegraph. “If what we had before him assistance of their women, will be Hurricane Greta hit the Stann Creek sense; we’re talking different worlds was democracy, well, democracy isn’t getting ready to sow the corn. I’m no District in 1978, and citrus took a bad here. working for us. We need something expert milpero, but I’ve noticed that blow, which was exacerbated by a When the pandemic struck, Bukele harder.” I don’t know who can quarrel most farmers get out their dibble sticks number of years of down prices. In completely ignored Trump, Boris with Mr. Ticas. If you have 50, 40, before the big rains come. The point 1983 much of the groves were still Johnson, and AMLO in their waiting 30, 20 homicides per 100,000 people, here is that when the cry went out when covered by re-rooting vine, a weed game and moved immediately to lock you’re not living in a democracy, the flood flies swarmed, as they that blankets the trees like scorn-the- down his country, with measures to you’re a people living in fear. always do after the first big rains, the earth and thus substantially reduces take care of their most needy citizens. Charles said Bukele “has corn seeds should have been in the yields. In mid-1983 the entire citrus That guy, he is a bold one; he is introduced permanent military patrols, ground already, so the brothers on the industry was in survival mode. Ah, had pragmatic; he is disdainful of the court has endorsed the use of lethal force war front were late. Sowing the corn the union’s leaders postponed the which ordered him to stop detaining by security forces and has increased seed a little late would have meant a CBA they might have gotten a better people who violated curfew solitary confinement in prisons”, much reduced crop, but why do you deal for their workers, for in regulations; and he’s got a lot of measures that have helped cause walk away from the battlefield when December 1983 Florida froze over people worried because he is mashing homicides in El Salvador to fall from victory is yours if you go forward? and the price of citrus concentrate on kaan, cleaning house. 50 per 100,000, to 19. Charles says Of course, religion is tied into this the world market shot up. A couple weeks ago, the US the president’s opponents charge that story, but it might be that they didn’t I believe the last strike in the citrus expressed serious concern when he the reduction in homicides partly came realize that victory was so close at industry was near La Democracia. A took control of the judiciary. teleSur about through a secret pact he has with hand. News5 report says the strike was in said: “In the first session of the newly- the country’s most powerful gang, but Turning to battles on the home front, the year 2000, and I picked up from elected Legislative Assembly Sunday, Bukele says that da lai. in this century the unions were at their the journalist who did the story, Ms. El Salvador’s ruling party wiped out strongest in 2005. In 2021 the unions Janelle Chanona, that the workers the entire judiciary: the judges of the Trinidad under are still strong, but their wallop is weren’t members of a union. Constitutional Chamber, the Supreme reduced because of Covid-19, the Court and Attorney General Raul curfew; in Italy, jabs critical state of our finances, and on El Salvador’s Bukele Melara were all fired.” are spectacular top of that, the “newness” of our The story from teleSur said U.S. government. El Salvador’s president, Nayib Secretary of State Antony Blinken had Covid-19 cases have shot up so high Organized labor is not alive for Bukele, has said that his country is called Bukele to express concern, and in that Prime farm workers down south. On the “cleaning house”, and it’s none of our that Blinken said “Democratic Minister Keith Rowley’s government rehash, when I went to work at Belize business, and about it not being our governance requires respecting the has introduced some strong measures to halt the spread. Carolyn Kissoon in Trinidad’s Sunday Express, reported that T&T was going under a state of emergency, with curfew, after the country had 21 deaths in 24 hours last Thursday and “nine deaths on Friday, along with 565 new cases.” As of May 14 in T&T, only 4.3% of their population had gotten the first jab, only 0.1% had been fully vaccinated, while over in Italy, Reuters reports that researchers in that country found that “Covid-19 infections in adults of all ages fell by 80% five weeks after a first dose of Pfizer (PFE.N), Moderna (MRNA.O) or AstraZeneca (AZN.L) vaccine.” Wow, Italy reports that “35 days after the first dose, there is an 80% reduction in infections, 90% reduction in hospitalizations, and 95% reduction in deaths.” Step up and get your jab! Hmm, big respect to the UN for its strong call for a ceasefire between Hamas and Netanyahu the warmonger. I won’t comment more than that right now, because I’ve run out of space. Hmm, I got the same problem with an excerpt from my book today. Page 8 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021

¿De cosecha propia o solo en casa?

Las masas engañadas del pueblo beliceño han sido observadores Inexplicable”, el “Proyecto de Ley de Reforma del Financiamiento relativamente silenciosos, aunque interesados, en las de Campañas”, la “Auditoría de los Fondos de Petro Caribe” y la negociaciones de larga data entre el gobierno y los Sindicatos “Racionalización del Servicio Público”. Curiosamente, este último Conjuntos, que se han centrado en la propuesta ya legislada del no menciona un regreso a los secretarios permanentes. Y no se gobierno aunque aún no se ha implementado, de un recorte salarial menciona la CNUCC (Convención de las Naciones Unidas contra del 10% y congelamiento salarial de 3 años para los funcionarios la Corrupción). ¿Por qué no? públicos, una acción que los expertos financieros han declarado La CNUCC no es una poción mágica que curará todos nuestros como el mínimo que se debe hacer para dar espacio al gobierno problemas de gobernanza. Pero es un enfoque estructurado para maniobrar y tratar de reestructurar la gigantesca bomba de diseñado por las Naciones Unidas para ayudar a los gobiernos a la súper deuda que nuestro país enfrenta ahora. Con el resto de lidiar con este problema global. Y es en la redacción de esas la fuerza laboral del país ya sufriendo una paliza, muchos sin leyes para tapar las lagunas que ofrecen su mayor ayuda. trabajo durante un año desde que Covid-19 llegó a nuestras costas, ¿Realmente queremos detener la corrupción? Hemos escuchado los miembros del sindicato ayudaron a justificar su resistencia las dificultades que tiene la oficina de la Procuradora General contra el recorte del 10% al levantar un grito por medidas de debido a la escasez de redactores legales. Bueno, esa es buena gobernanza, citando la corrupción desenfrenada en el exactamente el área donde la CNUCC brinda acceso a este tipo gobierno como la principal causa de nuestra crisis financiera. de ayuda. Hacer ese sacrificio ahora, argumentaron, no tendrá sentido si no Bajo la presión del BNTU en 2016, el previo gobierno del UDP acorralamos al culpable de la corrupción; y, con un historial de dio algunos pasos hacia la implementación de la CNUCC. Pero se fracasos tanto del PUP como del UDP en esta área, propusieron detuvieron en seco. que deberíamos depositar nuestras mejores esperanzas de acabar Buscamos en Google la CNUCC y nos hicimos una buena idea con la corrupción en la implementación de la CNUCC (La de lo serios que son: Convención de las Naciones Unidas contra la Corrupción). Sin ”La Convención de las Naciones Unidas contra la Corrupción embargo, en el discurso nacional del P.M. Briceño del 12 de es el único instrumento universal contra la corrupción mayo que resume el plan de su gobierno de “reforma de buena jurídicamente vinculante ... La gran mayoría de los Estados gobernanza”, que apareció en el titular del Belize Times de esta miembros de las Naciones Unidas son partes de la Convención”. semana y se desarrolló en dos páginas completas del periódico Fue “Adoptada por la Asamblea General de la ONU: 31 de octubre (páginas 7 y 8), no se mencionó la CNUCC. Todo será “de cosecha de 2003… Entrada en vigor: 14 de diciembre de 2005… propia”, tanto nuestros remedios económicos como nuestras Signatarios: 140… Partes a la Convención: 187 (al 6 de febrero medidas de reforma de buena gobernanza. Con la última y mejor de 2020)”. oferta del gobierno sobre la mesa, los miembros de los sindicatos A solicitud de un miembro, seleccionan representantes decidirán si están listos para “morder la bala” y aceptar el inevitable expertos de otros países para hacer una revisión y evaluación de recorte del 10%, junto con las medidas enumeradas en el plan la situación de ese país: “Los documentos producidos por el de reforma de buena gobernanza del gobierno para acabar con la Mecanismo de Revisión de la Implementación, incluidos todos corrupción. El panorama económico se ha pintado de manera los resúmenes ejecutivos de los informes de revisión de los países, bastante convincente, por lo que será difícil para los sindicatos así como los textos legales nacionales, y la información sobre las no elegir el sacrificio del 10%, en lugar de enfrentarse al hombre autoridades pertinentes se pueden acceder desde la base de del saco del FMI, que podría ser peor. ¿Pero también estarán de datos de perfiles de países”. acuerdo con las medidas de buen gobierno de cosecha propia? Todo está ahí. E hicieron una revisión de las leyes de Belize. ¿Tendrán una opción? Belize (sin fecha de firma) “Fecha de adhesión: 12 de diciembre La corrupción ha sido un problema mundial y Belize no es una de 2016”. Y en nuestro “Ciclo de revisión: 1 (Capítulos III y IV)”, excepción. Pero es un hecho aceptado que los países pequeños nuestros países revisores fueron Haití y Tuvalu. Para nuestro “Ciclo a menudo sufren lo peor de la corrupción, ya que sus recursos y de revisión: 2 (Capítulo II y V)”, nuestros países revisores fueron activos son explotados por grandes entidades extranjeras, Uruguay y las Islas Marshall. mientras que enriquecen a unos pocos locales a expensas de las Después de revisar las leyes de Belize y compararlas con los masas. anteriores Capítulos relevantes, los expertos extranjeros hicieron No es que no tengamos leyes. Tenemos una Constitución y sus observaciones y recomendaciones en un informe de 120 todo un cuerpo de leyes que deben protegernos contra la páginas, en el que dijeron que creían que nos habíamos quedado corrupción. Pero las leyes a veces tienen lagunas, y los cortos: empresarios inteligentes con grandes cuentas bancarias pueden Un ejemplo se enumera en el Capítulo III, Penalización y contratar a los mejores abogados para encontrar esas lagunas e aplicación de la ley: “Artículo 16. Soborno de funcionarios públicos incluso encontrar formas de recompensar a los funcionarios extranjeros y funcionarios de organizaciones internacionales gubernamentales o políticos que “hacen la vista gorda” o facilitan públicas. Párrafo 1 del artículo 16: 1. Cada Estado Parte adoptará de alguna manera sus aventuras depredadoras en nuestra pequeña las medidas legislativas y de otra índole que sean necesarias economía en apuros. Entonces, con todas nuestras leyes y todos para tipificar como delito, cuando se cometa intencionalmente, nuestros recursos naturales, clima maravilloso y gente hermosa, la promesa, el ofrecimiento o la entrega a un funcionario público Belize está ahora en el fondo – en bancarrota. Y el consenso de extranjero o un funcionario de una organización internacional quienes deberían saberlo, nuestros funcionarios públicos, es que pública, directa o indirectamente, de un beneficio indebido, para la causa principal es la corrupción. Entonces, o nuestras leyes el funcionario mismo o para otra persona o entidad, a fin de que necesitan ser arregladas, cerrando las lagunas, o los encargados el actor oficial se abstenga de actuar en el ejercicio de sus de implementar esas leyes deben comenzar a hacer su trabajo; funciones oficiales, con el fin de obtener o retener negocios u o ambos. De hecho, arreglar nuestras leyes, cerrar esas lagunas, otra ventaja indebida en relación con la realización de negocios puede ser el mejor incentivo para que quienes se inclinan a la internacionales”. corrupción comiencen a hacer su trabajo con rectitud. ”A) Observaciones sobre la aplicación del artículo: los expertos Entonces, ahora: el líder del UDP tenía un machete de dos filos examinadores concluyeron que Belize no ha adoptado las medidas para cortarle la cabeza a la corrupción. ¿Y ven dónde estamos necesarias para aplicar el párrafo 1 del artículo 16 de la ahora? ¿Podemos culpar a los sindicatos por ser un poco indecisos Convención”. cuando el líder del PUP ahora promete un remedio de cosecha ”(B) Desafíos y recomendaciones: Se recomendó que Belize propia para proporcionar una “buena gobernanza”? tipifique como delito el soborno activo de funcionarios públicos De hecho, muchos de los elementos que el P.M. Briceño ha extranjeros y funcionarios de organizaciones internacionales enumerado en su plan de reforma de buena gobernanza suenan públicas de conformidad con la Convención”. realmente alentadores, incluso emocionantes. Existe el “Proyecto Esto es solo un fragmento, la punta del iceberg. ¿Confiarán los de Ley de Divulgaciones Protegidas/ Protección de Denunciantes”, sindicatos en nuestros líderes para que hagan un buen trabajo el “Proyecto de Ley de Recuperación de Activos Civiles y Patrimonio de “cosecha propia” de “buena gobernanza”? Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 9

Michael Ashcroft first came to believe, but we in the rest of Belize any kind of sports while he was at (Belize) as a seven City’s Roman Catholic schools knew S.J.C., and I don’t recall “Convent” year old English child in late 1953, the school as “Convent.” Michael participating in any of the primary the year when Queen Elizabeth II Anthony Ashcroft went to school at school competitions of my was crowned. “Convent” during his three years childhood, such as football and radio His father was a British civil here. quiz programs. This was not only an servant who was assigned the post “Convent” was an exclusive, elitist institution: it was isolationist. of principal auditor in B.H., the only elitist primary school, and I do not Here is what Michael Ashcroft British possession on the Central know any dark-skinned person who wrote in his autobiography, DIRTY American mainland. The Ashcrofts attended that school. The classmate POLITICS, DIRTY TIMES, spent three years here before leaving from Belize Elementary who made published in 2006. “Weekends were for another assignment. contact with Michael Ashcroft some spent on boat trips to the Northern The Ashcroft family lived in the years later was one John Waight, who Cayes, exploring the rain forest close exclusive Memorial Park was a year ahead of me when I to Belize’s disputed border with neighbourhood, now more commonly attended St. John’s College between Guatemala or snorkeling on the 185 a year older than I, lived in a known as the Marine Parade area. 1959 and 1963. miles of coral reef that runs from different Belize from the one I lived This was just a stone’s throw from John Waight was the older son of north to south some six miles off the in. My point is that the Belize he St. Catherine’s and the Mr. James Waight and his wife, Lydia mainland.” keeps repeating he loved and loves convent of the Sisters of Mercy who Price Waight, who was a sister of the There is absolutely nothing in so much, is not the Belize our native run SCA, and the United States Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, the Michael Ashcroft’s autobiography, generations knew. Consulate. These two institutions most powerful politician in Belize which describes his three years of Over the course of my life, I have were right next to each other, the when his nephew, John Waight, and I living in British Honduras as a child, watched some Southside Sisters of Mercy to the northeast of were attending S.J.C. from 1953 to 1956, which indicates move upwards financially from the Consulate. John Waight’s father was the head that he ever toured Belize City’s poverty. This is, in some cases, the St. Catherine’s Academy, a of department at Lands and Survey. Southside, which was the center of result of success in electoral politics. secondary school for girls/young John had an older sister named Ellen, life in the capital city in those days, The legal profession has also been a ladies, had a primary school section a younger sister named Irene, and or had any roots Southside friends. gateway to financial success for a few which was officially called St. two younger brothers, James and Joe. Ashcroft describes Barry Bowen Southside Belizeans. Born and raised Catherine’s Elementary School, I I don’t recall John Waight playing as an “old schoolfriend,” but it is not on the Southside, once such Belizeans clear if they were in the same class. achieve success, they move out from The Bowen family home back then the Southside to the Northside and to was on Southern Foreshore at its the “suburbs,” and begin to live lives corner with King Street. So, strictly of elitism and isolationism. But, they speaking, one may describe the late have a residual memory of the Barry as a Southside acquaintance of Southside Belize City of the 1950s Mr. Ashcroft’s. and 1960s, which was the center of John Waight’s family lived on Belizean life. Regent Street, I believe, but Southern Michael Ashcroft never had a Foreshore and Regent Street, though Southside experience. His video located on the Southside, were fling with Michael Finnegan a few exclusive neighborhoods. years ago in the Mesopotamia area In late April of 1954, there was a was “jokes.” For Lord Ashcroft, tense, almost explosive national roots Belizeans are faceless election in British Honduras wherein nonentities for him to experiment with the anti-colonial People’s United and exploit. Party/General Workers Union (PUP/ Now remember this, that we live in GWU) coalition fought for political a world where capitalism rules. power against the pro-British Capitalism emphasizes competition National Party (NP). It was the first and acquisitive energy. This is the election in British Honduras wherein world where Lord Michael has there was universal adult suffrage. excelled, and it is now the case that The roots PUP/GWU won big. There the masses of us Belizeans have was no mention of that election in become his business and legal victims. Lord Ashcroft’s autobiography. He I would like for Lord Ashcroft to was living in a different world, you stop telling us how much he loves us, see. because he did not experience Belize Yes, he was only a child, but so when he was a child. There is nothing was I in 1954. Living at the corner of sinful in the Lord’s behaving in a Regent Street West and West Canal, I predatory manner in his business remember the PUP/GWU celebrating dealings with us Belizeans. that victory marching over Bolton Capitalism is a rough and cruel game. Bridge. I remember the late Lizan The winners are people who know Grey waving an American flag – the how to get away with things, so to stars and stripes. speak. So, it is appropriate to There was no mention in the Lord’s congratulate Lord Michael. autobiography of Ludwig Lightburn, But, the time has come for us basketball at the old Holy Redeemer Belizeans to learn how to protect Parish Hall, football at Edwards ourselves. If not, dog eat wi supper. Park, the Baron Bliss Harbor Some may say, our supper has already Regatta, mahogany logs chained been eaten. And the leading canine together in the Haulover Creek, or diner has been the one who loves us Christmas bramming. so. It would be almost funny if it were Michael Anthony Ashcroft, who is not so bitter a reality. Page 10 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021 KREM Television Program Guide Shoa Wiself, Si Wiself, Bee Wiself!!!

Questions or comments may be forwarded via email to Phone: 202-5848 [email protected]

Tuesday May 18, 2021 to Monday May 31, 2021

TUESDAY TUESDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: I Can Only Imagine 2:00 p.m. Documentary: The Secrets of Sugar 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Birds Isle (Version 2) 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Descent Into Ice 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat)

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: Resolution Song 2:00 p.m. Documentary: The Extraordinary Genius of Albert Einstein 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 7:00 p.m. Belizean Music Videos 7:00 p.m. Belizean Music Videos 7:30 p.m. You And The Law (LIVE) 7:30 p.m. You And The Law (LIVE) 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat)

THURSDAY THURSDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: Murder in Mississippi 2:00 p.m. Documentary: Inside Mecca 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 8:00 p.m. Belizean Legend: Talita Long 8:00 p.m. Belizean Legend: Bredda David 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat)

FRIDAY FRIDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: The Long Shot 2:00 p.m. Documentary:The Power of a Story 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 7:00 p.m. Belizean Music Videos 7:00 p.m. Belizean Music Videos 7:30 p.m. You And The Law (repeat) 7:30 p.m. You And The Law (repeat) 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat)

SATURDAY SATURDAY 9:00 a.m. Documentary: Lost Kingdoms of Africa (Nubia,Ethiopia, Great 9:00 a.m. Movie: My Last Day Without You Zimbabwe and West Africa) 10:33 p.m. Documentary: Banana Bullets 12:37 p.m. Movie: Yesterday 11:44 p.m. Movie: Deep in My Heart 2:33 p.m. Documentary: 8 Centuries of Muslim 1:13 p.m. Documentary: Made in China 4:14 p.m. Movie: Revenge of the Bridesmaids 2:33 p.m. Movie: Life Of Pi 5:41 p.m. Documentary: Whales 4:40 p.m. Documentary: Harvest of Empire 6:38 p.m. Movie: The Last Song 6:13 p.m. Movie: Dark Phoenix 8:00 p.m. Music Videos 8:00 p.m. Music Videos

SUNDAY SUNDAY 10:30 a.m. Sunday Review (LIVE) 10:30 a.m. Sunday Review (LIVE) 12:00 p.m. Movie: The Help 12:00 p.m. Movie: Greater 2:06 p.m. Documentary: Best Ocean Life 2:10 p.m. Documentary: Hitler the Rise 2:57 p.m. Movie: Nappily ever after 4:43 p.m. Documentary: Taboo- Healing 4:36 p.m. Documentary: Diving with the Dinosaur Fish 3:36 p.m. Sunday Review (repeat) 5:30 p.m. Sunday Review (repeat) 5:30 p.m. Sunday Jazz 7:00 p.m. Sunday Jazz 8:00 p.m. Music Videos 8:00 p.m. Music Videos MONDAY MONDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) 9:00 a.m. Documentary: 1804 The Hidden History of Haiti 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) 10:50 p.m. Movie: Black Panther 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 1:04 p.m. Documentary: The Zionist Story 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:19 p.m. Movie: Southside with You 2:00 p.m. Movie: Homeless to Harvard 3:43 p.m. Documentary: GMO OMG 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 5:08 p.m. Movie: The Letter Writer 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) 6:33 p.m. Documentary: Lost Civiliztion 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 7:23 p.m. Movie: Simple Justice 8:00 p.m. Belizean Legends: Lorna Smith 9:35 p.m. Documentary: The Road to Galveston 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) 10:30 p.m. Music Videos Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 11

from the 9 vs. 10 seed in both conferences. The Los Angeles Lakers will face off against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James vs. Steph “Press” Predictions: 45-07-22 Belize will surprise all of them Curry. In the East, the Hornets vs. the Boledo stats thru 18th to 25th May Local football update Pacers, and the Celtics vs. the 2021 In local football news, the Belize Wizards. The New York Knicks will In boledo news, 17 finally played National Football Beach Team will be at the fourth spot, Derek Rose is after 1 year and 5 months. These are play Panama today, Monday. The team playing very well right now, Eric by Gilroy “Press” Cadogan my lucky numbers for this week: 45- consists of 12 players some of whom Bledsoe’s team the New Orleans 07-22-99-11-55. Some doubles are are: Jermaine Jones, Sharon Caliz, Pelicans will not make the play-in; long overdue. These are my lucky Marlon Mesa, Raymond Ramos and Zion Manchester City team 2 to 1. Chelsea jackpot numbers: 9659-2842-7688. Brandon Jones. Mr. Casimiro is one Williamson Manager Thomas Tuchel is one of the These are my PICK-3 numbers: 624- of the coaches. They will also play will be a best German coaches in the world. In 753-405-162-968-040. Get ready Mexico who ranks number 2 in force next the EPL, the most competitive league Belize some dinero will be coming Concacaf. The competition will be for season. in the world, Manchester City will be our way; 79 has been out for over 2 1 week, Mr. Philip Marin leads the Congrats to champions, they have an 8-point lead years 3 weeks and 4 days now, 59 is delegation, next week some results. Kobe on Manchester United, Chelsea at the still out for over 1 year 11 months and Bryant’s third position, Leicester City at the 2 weeks now, 68 is still out for 1 year family on fourth spot. In the La Liga, Atletico 8 months and 2 weeks now, 70 refuses him making Madrid has to play over 1 year 6 months and 3 the Hall of a one-point weeks now, 02 just joined those hard Fame, his lead on FC numbers. 02 is still out for over 1 year wife received the jacket and she put it Barcelona, 1 month 3 weeks now. The thirties and There will be a lot of upsets in on her daughter to represent the Black and a 2- the eighties series played some 18 the playoffs Mamba; next week some playoffs point lead times each already. There are 2 series NBA results and predictions predictions get started. on Real not to play on Sunday as yet, the forties In NBA action, the playoffs will get Madrid. and the sixties series; good luck to all started this Tuesday and Wednesday Lionel buyers. Remember to read your nights, there will be 2 games in the Messi Psalms: 72-63-92. Next week more East and 2 games in the West. It’s a leads with lucky numbers, remember to wear your play-in with the number 7 vs. the 8 25 goals, mask and wash your hands. seed, then the loser plays the winner Chelsea will beat Manchester Kareem City 2 to 1 Benzema International football results has 22 goals, Luis Suarez has 20 goals, In international football action, the that race is very hot. PSG will win UEFA Championship game will be their league in France, Juventus will played in Istanbul, Turkey on the 29th not win the Serie A. Next week more of May. Chelsea will beat the stats.

Our Belizean American community has lost a passionate footballer and sponsor, Charlie Hogan from Dangriga

by Wellington C. Ramos Some of Sacred Heart Primary School football players left to attend the new Sat. May 15, 2021 school. When I was attending Sacred Heart Charles Hogan graduated from Primary School in the 4th Grade, Methodist School but was asked to Charles Hogan was playing for the assist in teaching and he agreed to stay Founder of the Warriors Football Club in Los Angeles, California Methodist Primary School along with on the staff. He played on the school’s his colleagues like Danny Lopez, team and they came back in the second of league teams. Sacred Heart Primary Hogan was inducted into the Belizean Ashley, Wayne Fourtnorth, Jeffry year with an attempt to win the School won their first competition with American Football Hall of Fame along Petillo, Bucko Thompson, Chadwick Primary School Competition. Some of this team, and Charlie Hogan left to with several other players, coaches, Usher, Mimie Martinez, Arthur their players were: Bucko Thompson go to high school after that season. He referees and sponsors, for all the major Roches, Shaky Leslie, Denver Grant, and Merchant as defense, Koolie and later left school to join the Belize contributions he made towards Blinks Lockwood, Tulian Dawson Jaguar Bermudez as their midfielders, Police Force in 1971 Squad-18. From football in the city of Los Angeles, Pickart, Robert Pennel, Orin Orio, Orin Orio as their right wing, Calvin there he migrated to the United States California. Bunz Sabal and other players who I Roches left wing, Mimie Martinez as and went to live in Los Angeles, In 2019 when I went to Belize I met cannot recall at this moment. They had their goalkeeper, and Reverend California where he resided him at the Dangriga market and we the best primary school football in Forbes as their coach. permanently. were happy to meet each other as town. At that time they defeated Sacred We at Sacred Heart School were From the time Charles Hogan former football players and Police Heart School but there was no official prepared and ready for them. The arrived in Los Angeles, California, he Officers. We started talking about primary school competition. players that had left Methodist were started playing football. He later football, and once you start that When Carl Ramos started the first more experienced and talented founded his own football team, conversation with Charlie it will not Dangriga Primary School Competition football players than the players who “Warriors,” which grew into a club. end. Nobody, in my opinion, has (DPSC) around 1966, they were remained in the school. Sacred Heart His team played several games in the contributed to the sustenance of Belize prepared for it and won. It was only School had new players added to their state of California and throughout the football in Los Angeles more than between the primary schools in the team, who were never given an Belizean community in the United Charles Hogan. His life, like many town which were: Methodist, opportunity to play in the previous States. I played against his team with other former football players’ lives, Anglican and Sacred Heart School. competition because they were “Juca” at Boys and Girls High School was always dedicated to his family Holy Ghost was a new Catholic considered too young to play. Holy in Brooklyn in 1981. That was the and this beloved sport that is second primary school that was established Angels and Saint Matthews from the first time I saw my friend Hogan since to none. He will be forming a football on the southside of Dangriga town. Pomona Valley were added to the list he left Belize in 1971. In 2017 Charles team in heaven when he gets there. Page 12 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Michael Ashcroft llegó por primera creo, pero nosotros en el resto de las menores, James y Joe. estrellas. vez a Honduras Británica (Belize) escuelas católicas de la Ciudad de No recuerdo a John Waight En la autobiografía del Lord no se cuando era un niño inglés de siete Belize conocíamos la escuela como practicando ningún tipo de deporte mencionaba a Ludwig Lightburn, el años a fines de 1953, año en que fue “Convento. “ Michael Anthony mientras estaba en S.J.C., y no baloncesto en el antiguo Salón coronada la reina Isabel II. Ashcroft atendió a la escuela en el recuerdo al “Convento” participando Parroquial del Santo Redentor, el Su padre era un funcionario “Convento” durante sus tres años en ninguna de las competencias de la fútbol en el Parque Edwards, la regata británico al que se le asignó el puesto aquí. escuela primaria de mi infancia, como del muelle de Baron Bliss, los troncos de auditor principal en H.B., la única El “Convento” era una escuela fútbol y los programas de concursos de caoba encadenados en Haulover posesión británica en el continente primaria exclusiva y elitista, y no de radio. Esta no era solo una Creek o las fiestas navideñas. centroamericano. Los Ashcroft conozco a ninguna persona de piel institución elitista: era aislacionista. Michael Anthony Ashcroft, que es pasaron tres años aquí antes de partir oscura que haya asistido a esa escuela. Esto es lo que Michael Ashcroft un año mayor que yo, vivía en un para otra misión. El compañero de clase de la Escuela escribió en su autobiografía, DIRTY Belize diferente al mío. Mi punto es La familia Ashcroft vivía en el Primaria de Belize que se puso en POLITICS, DIRTY TIMES, que el Belize que él sigue repitiendo exclusivo vecindario de Memorial contacto con Michael Ashcroft publicada en 2006. “Los fines de que amaba y ama tanto, no es el Park, ahora más comúnmente algunos años más tarde fue un tal semana los pasamos viajando en barco Belize que conocían nuestras conocido como el área de Marine John Waight, que estaba un año por a los cayos norteños, explorando la generaciones nativas. Parade. Estaba a sólo un tiro de piedra delante de mí cuando asistí al Colegio selva tropical cerca de la disputada A lo largo de mi vida, he visto a de la Academia de Santa Catalina y el San Juan (SJC en inglés) entre 1959 frontera de Belize con Guatemala o algunos beliceños de la Zona Sur convento de las Hermanas de la y 1963. haciendo snorkel en las 185 millas avanzar económicamente desde la Misericordia que dirigen la Academia John Waight era el hijo mayor del de arrecife de coral que se extiende pobreza. Esto es, en algunos casos, Santa Catalina y el Consulado de los Sr. James Waight y su esposa, Lydia de norte a sur a unas seis millas del el resultado del éxito en la política Estados Unidos. Estas dos Price Waight, que era hermana del continente”. electoral. La profesión legal también instituciones estaban una al lado de Muy Honorable George Cadle Price, No hay absolutamente nada en la ha sido una puerta de entrada al éxito la otra, las Hermanas de la el político más poderoso de Belize autobiografía de Michael Ashcroft, financiero para algunos beliceños de Misericordia al noreste del cuando su sobrino, John Waight, y yo que describe sus tres años viviendo la Zona Sur. Nacidos y criados en la Consulado. asistíamos a S.J.C. en Honduras Británica cuando era Zona Sur, una vez que estos La Academia Santa Catalina, una El padre de John Waight era el jefe niño, de 1953 a 1956, que indica que beliceños logran el éxito, se mudan escuela secundaria para niñas/ de departamento de Tierras y alguna vez recorrió la Zona Sur de la de la Zona Sur a la Zona Norte y a señoritas, tenía una sección de escuela Medición. John tenía una hermana Ciudad de Belize, que era el centro los “suburbios”, y comienzan a vivir primaria que se llamaba oficialmente mayor llamada Ellen, una hermana de la vida en la ciudad capital de esos vidas de elitismo y aislacionismo. Escuela Primaria de Santa Catalina, menor llamada Irene y dos hermanos días, o tenía amigos de la base de la Pero tienen un recuerdo residual de Zona Sur. la Zona Sur en le Ciudad de Belize Ashcroft describe a Barry Bowen de las décadas de 1950 y 1960, que como un “viejo amigo de la escuela”, fue el centro de la vida beliceña. WHO approves pero no está claro si estaban en la Michael Ashcroft nunca tuvo una misma clase. La casa de la familia experiencia en la Zona Sur. Su video Sinopharm vaccine Bowen en ese entonces estaba en de aventura con Michael Finnegan Southern Foreshore en su esquina hace unos años en el área de Belize now adds 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm con la Calle King. Entonces, Mesopotamia fue pura “broma”. Para estrictamente hablando, uno puede Lord Ashcroft, los beliceños de la base vaccine to its Covid-19 war chest describir al finado Barry como un son entidades sin rostro para que él conocido del Sr. Ashcroft en la Zona experimente con ellos y los explote. , Fri. Sur. Ahora recuerden esto, que vivimos May 14, 2021 La familia de John Waight vivía en en un mundo donde reina el A technical la Calle Regent, creo, pero Southern capitalismo. El capitalismo enfatiza advisory group from Foreshore y la Calle Regent Street, la competencia y la energía the World Health aunque estaban ubicadas en la Zona adquisitiva. Este es el mundo donde Organization (WHO) Sur, eran barrios exclusivos. Lord Michael se ha destacado, y ahora recently approved A fines de abril de 1954, hubo una es el caso que las masas de nosotros China’s Sinopharm tensa elección nacional y casi los beliceños nos hemos convertido vaccine for emergency explosiva en Honduras Británica en en sus víctimas comerciales y legales. use. Health la que la coalición anticolonial del Me gustaría que Lord Ashcroft administrators from Partido Unido del Pueblo/Sindicato dejara de decirnos cuánto nos ama, across the world have General de Trabajadores (PUP/ porque no experimentó a Belize since rolled out distribution of this vaccines developed by Pfizer- GWU) luchó por el poder político cuando era niño. No hay nada de new vaccine in their respective BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & contra el probritánico Partido pecaminoso en que el Lord se jurisdictions. Johnson and, last week, Moderna,” Nacional (NP en inglés). Fue la comporte de manera depredadora en In early April, Belize received stated Reuters. primera elección en Honduras sus negocios con nosotros, los 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm A press release issued by the Británica en la que hubo sufragio beliceños. El capitalismo es un Covid-19 vaccine from the United government of Belize on May 14 universal de adultos. El PUP/GWU juego duro y cruel. Los ganadores Arab Emirates, which had reported states, “As a part of Belize’s COVID- de la base ganó a lo grande. No se great success using the vaccine 19 response, the Ministry of Health son personas que saben cómo produced by the Biking Bio-Institute & Wellness continues to collaborate menciona esa elección en la salirse con la suya, por así decirlo, of Biology and Products Co. Ltd with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs autobiografía de Lord Ashcroft. Él así que es apropiado felicitar a Lord (BIBP), an arm of the National and Foreign Trade and international estaba viviendo en un mundo Michael. Biotech Group of China. partners to secure COVID-19 diferente, verán. Pero ha llegado el momento de This vaccine now joins the four vaccines for the Belizean populace. Sí, él era solo un niño, pero yo que los beliceños aprendamos a other vaccines currently being The ministry reiterates the call for también en 1954. Viviendo en la protegernos. Si no, el perro comerá administered, inclusive of the persons whose phases have been esquina de las calles Regent West y nuestra cena. Algunos dirán que ya Moderna vaccine, which also called to get vaccinated.” West Canal, recuerdo que el PUP/ se han comido nuestra cena. Y el recently received emergency The Ministry of Health and GWU celebró esa victoria marchando comensal canino líder ha sido el approval. Wellness is currently preparing to sobre el Puente Bolton. Recuerdo a que nos ama tanto. Sería casi “WHO had already given include the Sinopharm vaccine in the la finada Lizan Gray ondeando una divertido si no fuera una realidad emergency approval to COVID-19 national vaccination program. bandera estadounidense: las barras y tan amarga. Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 13 PM optimistic about bond restructuring

(From page 1)

ORANGE WALK, Fri. May 14, administration, however, continues to bondholders that they do not have the 2021 rebuff the IMF’s prescribed path for money to meet the May 20th coupon During an interview on Friday that recovery — preferring instead to payment, approximately US 7 million was aired on CTV3, the Prime stick to the PUP’s homegrown plan dollars. Last week his Minister of Minister, Hon. John Briceño, of recovery. State, Hon. Chris Coye, mentioned remarked that he was not surprised “We were not surprised by their that the budget for this fiscal year by the apparent unwillingness of response. We expected that response. anticipates a restructuring of the holders of the country’s Superbond Both sides have to put their cards on Superbond debt. to proceed with further restructuring the table, and now it’s time for the real The bondholders appear, however, of the Superbond and the hardline work to begin. We believe that pretty to be holding firm to their position position they recently took in the soon we will be sitting down in — that Belize must go to the IMF. midst of negotiations with Belize’s earnest to see how we can break this The PM is optimistic, however, that debt management team. impasse and move forward. The a compromise will be reached with The country is currently seeking yet reality is, the truth is, that Belize is in the bondholders. another haircut, reportedly almost a position right now that we cannot “I am an optimistic person. I 30%, which would result in an afford to be able to pay the bond the believe, at the end of the day, we will overall reduction of the debt and way it is structured, and we believe it find a compromise to see how we can possibly a reduction of interest fees. is time for us to be able to look at put Belize back on a sustainable path. The bondholders are strongly how we can reduce what we owe and The debt to GDP of 135% is pressing matters. Fighting poverty, urging the government of Belize to hopefully reduce the interest rates and unsustainable. No government can making sure our children can go to sign on to an IMF standby agreement then be able to find a sustainable path really afford that, unless if you are a school, improving the health before they move forward with yet towards paying the bondholders,” the Japan or United States that has a huge services, and creating opportunities another restructuring, which would be Prime Minister said. economy. We don’t. We can’t be and jobs for Belizeans —that is what the fifth such restructuring of the The Prime Minister further stated spending all of this money only just is driving us,” said Prime Minister massive debt. The Briceño that they have informed the on paying loans when we have other Briceño.

Northern Kentucky 6’2" Freshman of the Year, Marques “Ques” Warrick visits the Jewel

BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021 was named “Horizon League We missed a meeting with Freshman of the Year (2021)” after a KREM’s Tony Wright’s grandson, season that saw him selected seven Marques “Ques” Warrick, who spent (7) times as the “Horizon League some time at the Bird’s Isle court with Freshman of the Week.” the legend Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn’s There is an exciting bunch of future crop of young basketball talents on Belize National Basketball Team Saturday morning, but we’ll be sure players under the tutelage of the to catch up with him in time for our legend Pulu, and they got to meet and Friday edition. Visiting relatives in run some scrimmages with Ques on Belize, Ques returns to Kentucky Saturday at Bird’s Isle. Ques had early next week. already left when we arrived, but we Ques has been doing big things in will be sure to see him tomorrow his freshman year at Northern Kentucky afternoon, Tuesday, when Pulu University (NKU), and we got the assures he will again be at the Bird’s heads-up from Pulu, who shared some Isle court. of his achievements with us. The historic Bird’s Isle arena is NKU guard Marques “Ques” Warrick (pic by Bryan McEldowney, Despite the Covid-19 restrictions, undergoing renovations, but the court nkunorse.com college basketball is still raging hot is still playable, and there were some in the U.S., and after a stellar high awesome young basketball talents on school career, where he is the all- display when we got there on time leading scorer with 1,909 points Saturday. Unfortunately, the at Henry Clay High School in surrounding light penetration makes Lexington, Kentucky, Ques started his it extremely difficult for pictures college basketball career at NKU during the daytime. Pulu said today with an emphatic statement, becoming that he tried to gain access to the “the first freshman in league history Mexican Center at Marion Jones to win the first two Horizon League Sports Complex, but it is booked out Freshman of the Week honors in a by volleyball, so Ques will be at given season.” In their recently Bird’s Isle again tomorrow with completed 2020-21 season, Ques Pulu’s Future Shock squad. Visit us at www.amandala.com.bz Page 14 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021 Another narco jet lands in PSU votes to continue strike northern Belize

The last bust of a drug plane Continued from Page 1 „ resulted in the detention of 9 were deployed to the landing site and Belizeans, inclusive of law who unloaded the aircraft’s enforcement personnel. This took suspicious contents in record time. place a little over three months ago The seating inside the jet had and resulted in the confiscation of 2 reportedly been taken out prior to its bales of cocaine. flight, making space for almost two Unconfirmed reports of another tons of illicit cargo, now believed to aircraft landing near Little Belize be across the border, in Mexico. have been dismissed by law The Minister of Home Affairs. enforcement. The BDF airwing and Continued from Page 1 a sufficient set of concessions and Hon. Kareem Musa, told local media police were on the ground in the area „ proposed compensation for them. that security personnel were and said that they found no signs of a of Belize to public officers in a bid He noted that the performance deployed to the area just 30 minutes landing. to get them to accept the 10% salary bonus that was offered in the most after the alleged landing. They were When the Commissioner of Police, cuts and increment freeze that GoB recent GOB proposal seemed reportedly taken to the exact location Chester Williams, was interviewed has passed into law. According to the farfetched to them, since it would be of the landing by a local from the area. this morning, he said that, contrary to leaders of the union, after rolling out almost impossible to meet the targets According to Minister Musa, what was previously reported, the a national survey, they were able to set by the Briceño administration. however, by the time those personnel aircraft’s flight originated in North ascertain that they had received a He also stated that, in addition to arrived, the aircraft was empty, and America, and not South America. He clear mandate from union members: the fact that the recent proposals were it is suspected that any cargo it had confirmed that the Mexican air asset the strike should go on. never formally discussed with them contained had already been did detect almost 60 men offloading The president of the PSU, Gerald in any prior meeting, the unions transported to our northern neighbor, and guarding the aircraft. Henry, stated, “In response to the would have no control over the Mexico. “Sometime around 2:00 a.m. we motion with subject letter of outcome, since no provisions have Musa also believes that there is a were told that the track had gone into Government’s undertaking, signed by been made to enable them to monitor high possibility that Belizeans were Mexico and, based on that, the teams the Prime Minister of Belize and and correct any current unsustainable involved in the execution of this that were in the area withdrew to directed at the Joint Unions of Public practices. illicit operation. some extent, and then couple minutes Service Union of Belize, the Belize As for the draft good governance later we were told by an individual National Teachers Union, and the legislation tabled by the government, that a plane went down in the Tres Association of Public Sector Senior the PSU president said that those too Woman dies in Leguas area and, based on that, we Managers, the mandate has been are lacking. He pointed out that after quickly deployed the team to that given for the Public Service Union his legal counsel had reviewed the tragic RTA area. They got there within half an of Belize to remain fully committed drafts, they found that none of the hour of receiving the call, but when to industrial actions.” safeguards necessary to make the they got there they only found the This morning the BNTU also legislation effective were in place. Continued from „Page 1 plane. The contents were gone. We conveyed their message clearly by Henry said that they have not yet did some searches in the area and we means of a series of blockades given the government a formal that an accident had occurred followed some tracks, and the track nationwide on bridges and major response on the union’s position on between Miles 44 and 45 of the led directly into a village on the thoroughfares. the new proposal, but they plan to do George Price Highway sometime Mexican side. The river [was] On Friday, the 1st vice president so in the coming days. before 6:00 p.m., and they went to extremely low, so the vehicles of the PSU, Dean Flowers, had told Henry also mentioned that the the scene. The officers, upon doing a crossed over and went into Mexico, local media that, when they were seemingly hardball tactics being preliminary investigation, found out so we are certain that the cargo that initially informed of the government’s played by the government are that Earlyn Young of an Orange Walk went in the plane went immediately new proposals, the response of most angering the union’s membership. He address had been driving a Chevy over the Mexican side,” of the first 200 union members who observed that this type of anger on Equinox that ultimately overturned on Commissioner Williams said. were surveyed, was favorable. Over the part of the union’s members was the side of the road. The luxury jet, worth close to half the weekend, however, the remainder first seen when the Public Service Young was attempting to overtake a million dollars, will now be stored of the membership sent a clear Minister, Henry Charles Usher, a truck while he was heading in the at the BDF air-wing in Ladyville with message to the union’s leadership to invoked section 106(3) of the western direction, but the presence the three other suspected drug planes stay the course. Constitution in order to “fix” the of a Santander truck parked at the that previously landed in the country. “As a result of this, the PSU salaries of public workers. He said shoulder of the road made it hereby informs all members and that the letter sent by the Prime impossible for him to complete the public officers in general that we Minister to the unions can also be seen attempt. Young eventually lost control Nephew of UDP remain on strike. Each and every in the same light. of the vehicle, which reportedly public officer has the lawful right to According to Henry, the unions, flipped several times. deputy leader take such industrial actions. Making while firm in their position, have At the scene of the accident, police this small sacrifice is better than been amendable to the government’s found the apparently lifeless body of busted with drugs being forced to give up a minimum overtures. He said that the members Ronda Burgess, 40. They also came of 10% of your salary and three of his union were willing to accept across several other passengers of the increments for the rest of your career at least 1 year of increment freeze and Continued from Page 4 Chevy Equinox who had been injured „ without getting anything in return,” a year of the 10% salary cuts if the as a result of the accident. All Magistrate denied the suspected stated the union’s leaders in the video government could put in place surviving passengers have been perpetrators bail and remanded them that was released. measures to lessen the impact of these treated and released from the Western to prison until July 15, 2021. Bradley In an interview with Amandala, the measures on their ability to sustain Regional Hospital. believes that the defendants will president of the PSU, Gerald Henry, themselves. Young has also been served a appeal in the Supreme Court and is said that union members have In the coming days, Henry said, the notice of intended prosecution. confident that this decision will be decided to continue industrial action country can expect ongoing industrial Police were not able to obtain reversed. after concluding that the proposals action from the PSU, since they are samples of Young’s blood to Hon. Hugo Patt also issued a public from the government did not contain of the view that no real negotiations determine whether he was under the comment on the situation. He said he have taken place. influence of alcohol at the time of the knew nothing of his nephew’s Despite the last offer presented by accident, since the injuries he had involvement in drug trafficking. He industry. Patt has since been the government, the PSU is hoping received caused him to bleed further explained that his vehicle’s cooperating with the Police that they come back to the table in profusely, making it impossible to intended use was for the transport of Department in their investigation. good faith. further extract blood samples cane from the various sugarcane Unconfirmed reports are also according to police. The Police fields to Tower Hill and ASR. Hon. indicating that Ian Patt had allegedly Department also noted that the Patt said he had no knowledge of worked at the Belize Water Services, Santander truck that was parked on what was being transported in his but was ultimately let go after being Visit us at the roadside remains a key part of vehicle and he simply had been suspected of using the company’s www.amandala.com.bz the investigation. rendering a service for the sugar vehicle for illicit activities. Tuesday, May 18, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 15 Teachers reject PM’s “last” offer

Continued from Page 1 indicated to the police that the union’s on the John Smith Road, where not to have any confrontation with the „ membership would be engaged in vehicles deployed by the BNTU teachers that will result in any civil Last week the Prime Minister protest actions once again. The straddled the road, thus blocking disobedience. I don’t think our country submitted what he described as his members took to the streets early this buses and cars. Commuters waited needs any civil disobedience now, as last offer to the Joint Unions in the morning, blocking traffic on the major outside those immobile cars and that could further add to our economic form of a letter after he had publicly roadways countrywide. buses until the teachers were ready constraints that we are currently faced disclosed the contents of the proposal In Benque Viejo in the Cayo to move their cars. The blockade in with, and so we will continue to see in a televised public address. The District, four teachers were arrested that area lasted about an hour. how we can tiptoe or exercise restraint national president of the BNTU, this morning by police while in the Reports also indicate that for a with these demonstrations,” Williams Elena Smith, had been angered by process of setting a tire on fire. Two short time the Belcan Bridge and the said. what she called the cowardly move. of these teachers were charged and two BelChina Bridge were also blocked He then added, “ I will say that it is This morning, on a local morning others were released, after the by a small number of vehicles rather frustrating, because at the end show, Smith said that a majority of president of the Benque BNTU branch belonging to union members. of the day, whatever it is that they are the members of the union’s 10 reportedly posted bail for them. At Mile 6 on the George Price doing with these road blockages, it is branches countrywide had voted to Cars belonging to members of the Highway, teachers blocked the creating significant inconvenience to continue their industrial action in BNTU were used to block the main bridge at that location, causing more the broader public — people who order to express their dissatisfaction bridges and roads in Belize City, and interruptions in the flow of traffic, have to get to work by a certain time, with government’s proposals and a two-mile traffic jam could be seen and near Mile 41 on the same people who need to go to the airport, actions. on the Philip Goldson Highway. highway, a more sizable traffic people who need to go to the hospital, The unions are now calling the Scores of commuters waited in line blockage was staged. so it is causing inconvenience to government back to the negotiating until the Haulover Bridge was Up north in the Corozal District, people and the citizenry are getting table once again. unblocked. the area just outside Libertad Village frustrated with it as well, so I would On Sunday evening, the BNTU A similar scene could be observed was blocked off by teachers as well, hope that the teachers would, are and in Orange Walk, teachers staged going to rethink this position. It is blockades in the Santa Martha village counterproductive and it is getting and Carmelita. people frustrated, and eventually, we 21 COVID-19 cases at In Toledo, teachers also staged a will have to not be too hands-off and sizable protest, which prevented the do what needs to be done to ensure Princess Casino flow of traffic on the main road in that the highways are clear.” Punta Gorda. Commissioner Williams then When he was interviewed today, proceeded to issue words of caution Continued from Page 1 really revealed that the processes and the Commissioner of Police, Chester to the teachers who have been „ procedures that were put in place to Williams, while acknowledging that involved in staging the blockades: establishment to resume its ensure that the casinos open as safe his department has been taking a “May I also remind the teachers that operations. as possible have been followed on hands-off approach in the way they blocking the highway is an offense, Notably, 17 of the 21 infected the floor, but the rest areas are the address the actions of the unions, and while, yes, we have been very casino employees, who constitute areas that have been more pointed out that members of the public patient and we have exercised about 25% of the casino’s staff, did compromised. We already made are starting to display signs of restraint, when the public gets too not display any symptoms of the virus. changes to this. The management is frustration with the constant frustrated, then we will have to Nonetheless, a release from the fully cooperative, and these changes inconveniences caused by the unions’ ensure that something is done to Government of Belize Press Office will occur at all the casinos,” stated acts of resistance. allow traffic to flow and get people of Belize states, “All positive persons Dr. Musa. “We try as best as we can to be to where they need to get within a are in complete isolation and contact A frequent patron of the casino, hands off or to exercise restraint so as reasonable time,” he said. tracing is ongoing.” While the contact when interviewed after the public tracing takes place, the Princess became aware of the outbreak, said, Casino will remain closed, and “Overall, I think they try their best to proper sanitization of the facilities is promote proper social distancing, but currently being carried out. It is also I mean, it’s a casino, and there’s worth noting that 10 of the infected numerous amount of people coming persons had received at least one in and out, playing several different dose of the coronavirus vaccine, and machines. Some people play multiple they all are asymptomatic. machines at a time, so it’s somewhat According to Dr. Melissa Diaz- impossible for them to keep the place Musa, who previously served as the properly sanitized at all times.” acting Director of Health Services, Our source further stated that in the Ministry of Health and Wellness many instances, the distance between has identified the most probable point patrons in the facility was greater than of contamination and has taken steps the required six feet. The source said to ensure that the circumstances which that there has been ample spacing led to this spread of the virus are not between each customer while playing repeated. “The investigation has on machines; and temperature checks and sanitization were carried out at the entrance of the establishment. “The distribution of drinks had decreased to the point that some customers actually complained,” our source further remarked. It’s been noted, however, that money-handling at the casino complicated the efforts to comply LIQUOR LICENSE with COVID-19 protocols. In theory, each person is to only exchange NOTICE money with the ticket exchanger behind the booth. However, our LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: source said, “Because there are a lot Notice is hereby given that Princess of elderly people in there, most of Hotel and Casino is applying for a them can’t or don’t want to get up, so Special Liquor Licence, to be they end up exchanging tickets and operated at the Vogue Bar, Newtown money with several different people Barracks, Belize City, under the — whoever is in sight to assist them Visit us at Intoxicating Liquor Licence with cashing out or ticket www.amandala.com.bz Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. purchasing.” Page 16 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, May 18, 2021