Belize Sugar Industries Limited fired off a press release saying that it denounces a commission of inquiry into its private affairs. BSI says that Prime Minister John Briceño announced the Commission of Inquiry (COI) “with a mandate to delve into the private affairs of BSI, with the sole purpose of providing ammunition for one cane farmer association, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), to continue its relentless effort to coerce BSI to pay more for cane without any economic or business justification.”
BSI asserts that the three other cane farmers’ associations that represent “roughly half the cane do not support the COI.”
According to BSI, “This decision is politically driven and totally erodes ASR’s investor confidence as the largest US investor in Belize and undermines representations made by the Government of Belize to ASR in 2012 that it would receive fair treatment.”
BSI says that it will not be compelled to “produce proprietary and confidential commercial information, the rights over which are protected by law.”
“BSI sees this Commission of Inquiry as a further assault on its business interests and outright bad faith by the government.”
The Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers has mobilized its members for a second public protest in Belmopan today to express disappointment and dissatisfaction with the Government’s failure to honor the then Prime Minister’s pledge made in December 2022.
According to ABRPO, it was promised that Public Service Workers’ Trust Fund would be dissolved so that beneficiaries can receive monies owed to them since 1997.
The PSWT’s audited financial statements reveal concerning mismanagement, including the write-off of over $101,000 in loans to unions, associations, and individuals purportedly affiliated with beneficiaries. Additionally, more than $500,000 has been allocated for legal services from the Trust fund.
The Association holds successive Attorney Generals responsible for disregarding legally sound recommendations. It says that this situation represents clear discrimination against the elderly, many of whom have passed without receiving compensation.
Eclectic Aspirations has announced the completion of the director’s cut for WEALTH UNTOLD. This will be the third iteration of this evolving film. This version will undergo screening with selected test audiences to gather feedback before finalizing the post-production process.
Oceana Belize VP Janelle Chanona being interviewed/San Pedro Sun
Formerly titled UNBELIZEABLUE, the documentary delves into groundbreaking marine conservation efforts in Belize, spearheaded predominantly by women from diverse backgrounds. Their collaborative mission to safeguard a unique and endangered ecosystem serves as a global model for coastal communities. Director/Producer Eladio Arvelo said that WEALTH UNTOLD draws inspiration from Belize’s national anthem and resonates with the participants’ shared vision.
WWF Belize Country Rep., Nadia Bood/UNBELIZEABLU Facebook/Phil karp
WEALTH UNTOLD was recognized as one of the “Hot Films in the Making” by From the Heart Productions during the 2023 Roy W. Dean Summer Grant season. The film is slated for completion by June 2024, with plans for a world-premiere screening later in the year.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong stepped down from his position, announced by the Communist Party on Wednesday, marking yet another departure of a senior official likely implicated in an extensive anti-corruption campaign. The party confirmed the acceptance of his resignation, citing his violations as tarnishing the reputation of the Communist Party.
Thuong’s resignation coincided with a special parliamentary session addressing personnel matters, following the recent arrest of the former head of Quang Ngai province for corruption.
Assuming office in March 2023 after his predecessor’s resignation due to corruption scandals, Thuong’s departure highlights the enduring impact of Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts under the leadership of Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
FILE: Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong addressed media. 2023/AP
Thuong, seen as a protégé of Trong, faced scrutiny for his alleged transgressions, which prompted his resignation, although specifics remained undisclosed. The timing, following the arrest of a former provincial head under his supervision, suggests implication in the anti-corruption campaign, overseen by the Central Inspection Commission.
The announcement of Thuong’s resignation triggered a buzz across Hanoi, emphasizing the significance of the event, echoing concerns about the broader implications of the anti-corruption drive on political stability and economic policies.
While the campaign has bolstered Trong’s authority, it has also fueled factional tensions within the party. Moreover, concerns persist about its impact on Vietnam’s business climate and foreign investment, even as the country navigates its strategic positioning amidst U.S.-China competition.
In a press release on Tuesday evening, the Briceño Administration said that the Commission of Inquiry into the sugarcane industry is set to proceed.” The statement came after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) called a press conference at its headquarters in Orange Walk Town regarding the promised Commission of Inquiry.
During the press conference, Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A., said “As you can see we have reached March and the signing of the document was in January. Thirty days was in February. So we have long past due that. Now that we have reached this stage and we have listened, because first we were waiting for the government or the prime minister to declare, because he said in his interview on Friday that he is the one in charge to declare the commission of inquiry.”
BSCFA Vice Chairman, Alfredo Ortega
He further stated that “We were waiting for that, but when we listened to what he said on Friday we can clearly say he lied to us, he lied to the cane farmers and that is why we are here. We want to clearly see how the prime minister behaves, lying to the cane farmers, lying to us, lying to the Belizean people in his statements, he said that we are not the only association.”
In its press release, the government said, “Today, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño approved the terms of reference as well as the appointment of the commissioners to the inquiry into the sugarcane industry of Belize.”
It said “The commission is expected to review the entire value chain of the sugarcane industry to establish the benchmark costs, determine efficiencies and recommend measures to increase efficiencies. Specifically, the commission is to determine the cost of sugarcane farming, harvesting and transporting, as well as sugar manufacturing, operating, transportation and logistics costs.”
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is accusing Prime Minister John Briceño of lying to them. On January fourth, the association entered into a written agreement with the Prime Minister that brought an end to protests organized by cane farmers in Orange Walk. In the agreement, Prime Minister Briceño committed that a commission of inquiry would be established within three months of the signing of the agreement. Well, more than seventy days have passed, and that commission is yet to be operationalized. B.S.C.F.A. demanded that the commission be established to investigate the inner workings of the industry and to provide recommendations for its modernization. When reporters asked the Prime Minister about the delays, he noted that consultations need to be held with the other three associations, before the commission can commence its work. This prompted a press release from B.S.C.F.A. calling on PM Briceño to, ‘stay on track’. And today, the association called a press conference at their headquarters to say that the prime minister is making petty excuses.
Alfredo Ortega
Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A.
“We are very upset with his comments, his interview, the words that he used, because if you can recall in January fourth when we were in negotiations with BSI when he was one of the main characters in the negotiations between us and BSI, he signed a document with us in which he committed himself, he committed his government that within thirty days, after the signature of the fourth of January, that the commission of inquiry would be starting their work. And, we have the document that he signed. So, he is not knowledgeable to what he said. He knows very well. Now he comes out to say proper consultation was not done. Consultations was done long before. Consultations was done from July of last year. Even in the document he says that Cabinet has already approved for the commission of inquiry to do their work.”
Javier Keme
Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee
“Two associations chose to participate, which was the Northern Association and BSCFA and Progressive and BSI chose not to participate. They were invited several times to participate in meetings, discussing the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry, consultations, and invitation to participate. They chose not to participate. That was their choice. Now their was an event that went further. During the negotiations for the commercial agreement, it came out that BSI is ok with the commission of inquiry provided that they are given the opportunity to name two commissioners. How will he say that these entities were not consulted and he is accepting himself that BSI has named two commissioners to form part of the commission group. This is absorbing the way he put his statements. These are petty excuses. And i want to highlight this as well, that in disrespecting the cane farmers, he disrespected a team that he authorized to work on this commission of inquiry terms of reference. He was the one that authorized this work to start from the beginning. And in his statement he disrespected them that they didn’t do the job he told them to do.”
Doubling down on their position, Ortega plainly stated that the association believes Prime Minister Briceño lied to cane farmers and Belizeans to put an end to the protest actions. Ortega also cautioned PM Briceño, contending that sugarcane farmers possess the power to significantly influence the outcome of the 2025 general elections in Orange Walk Central.
Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A.
“As you can see we have reached March and the signing of the document was in January. Thirty days was in February. So we have long past due that. Now that we have reached this stage and we have listened, because first we were waiting for the government or the prime minister to declare, because he said in his interview on Friday that he is the one in charge to declare the commission of inquiry. We were waiting for that, but when we listened to what he said on Friday we can clearly say he lied to us, he lied to the cane farmers and that is why we are here. We want to clearly see how the prime minister behaves, lying to the cane farmers, lying to us, lying to the Belizean people on his statements he said that we are not the only association. When we were negotiating and he was the one leading the negotiation between us and BSI, he was the one that was brining out some of these things for us to negotiate and reach a point that is beneficial to us and that is why he signed these documents. This is something I want to put very clear, because of the outcome of the town council election he comes and beats his chest that he gets an overwhelming support and he gave the sense like it is the farmers that gave the overwhelming support. Let me remind him that in town is a very small percentage of cane farmers that voted for the town council election and let us put it very clear, the town council results came by the works the council is doing, not by him.”
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association also addressed Prime Minister John Briceño’s response to the High Court’s decision on the Sugar Export/Import Regulations. As we reported, A.S.R./B.S.I. challenged the regulations in court, and it was ruled unconstitutional. When the press asked the PM about the decision, he said that it was expected. His comments did not sit well with the association, because the legislation was one of the measures that the government sought to implement to remedy B.S.C.F.A.’s concerns over Fairtrade premium payments. Javier Keme, the Chairman of B.S.C.F.A.’s Finance Committee, says the Government of Belize has the authority to appeal the ruling.
Javier Keme
Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee
“When he was questioned about the outcome of the regulations his choice of words was in a very insulting tone to the farmers that he was expecting that outcome and that is wrong from a leader to ascertain that. Why, because that means you are promoted as the leader of the government and you gave your authorization to go through something, a procedure that you already have perceived is to fail. That is wrong from a leader to make such a statement. Now coming to the ruling, the judge has all the authority to make certain comments of the ruling. He has all the authority to do such. But that doesn’t mean as a leader I will say I can’t do anything; the government can’t do anything. That is another wrong statement he has done. Why, government have two options in any ruling? In this case, five went against, four went in favor of the regulation. One option is to appeal. The statement he made to that question is that it is going to cost Belizeans thousands of dollars, taxpayers money. That is his response. When in other areas he has used taxpayers’ money recklessness. The second option is to accept the ruling of this judge, but as a legislator, change it and amend it and bring back the section that will not affect the constitutional right of such an entity.”
Reporters also asked the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association for their thoughts on the verbal agreement entered between the Prime Minister and stevedores who are members of the Christian Workers Union. Last night, we told you that the Prime Minister made a verbal commitment to compensate the stevedores a total of one point six million dollars in sugar redundancy payment. He noted that lawyers from both sides would meet and that an agreement may be signed by the end of today. Well, we are yet to receive an update on that signing as of news time. And, the B.S.C.F.A. says that while they hope for the best in this matter, they can no longer believe anything the prime minister has to say.
Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee
“When you lose the trust of a person, what happens. They are just being taken as a liar. When we saw what transpired with our colleagues from the unions, the outcome of it we were just thinking that on that regard the experience that BSCFA has gone through, we don’t trust words. We don’t trust verbal agreements. That is why we have, if what we have in black and white is making trouble for it to be realized, imagine what will happen between a lawyer and a lawyer, because that is what I understand from the news where it is. So I hope for the best for our colleagues, but it was just a verbal commitment, that is what I heard from the news. We at least got this written and it is still difficult for it to be fulfilled.”
And finally, from today’s press conference in Orange Walk Town, the B.S.C.F.A. is now demanding that an independent entity be established to market Belize’s sugar. They further demanded that legislation be included that speaks to compensation for sugarcane farmers for their produce and that amendments be made to clarify that the sugar industry is not for B.S.I.
Javier Keme
Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee
“We need an independent entity to market the sugar from Belize. Now, this call, and I will mention it categorically and choose my words carefully, the sugar industry Act needs to be amended in a way to clarify that this sugar industry is not for BSI. It is not for ASR. It has two owners, two stakeholders and that has to be put into law in the Sugar Industry Act. We are fifty percent owners of the industry because we have the production as producers. They are millers and that is wrong when you say that BSI is a private industry. That is wrong. They might be a private company, but we are two stakeholders in one industry and that needs to be reflected in the changes that the Sugar Industry Act needs. We need that the aspects of the payment of the cane to producers be put in law. You say it is going to be difficult, maybe the commission of inquiry will show enough evidence, enough information for you to do that. But if still your government is reluctant to act in that regard, there is an alternative for it. And it has also been ventilated in the past that there needs to be a mechanism to resolve disputes like the negotiations for a new commercial agreement.”
