The objectives set out under the MCC’s grant agreement is to be accomplishedwithin a period of five years. So, what are the immediate areas of priority for the Briceño administration? Minister of Finance, Christopher Coye provided some details.
Christopher Coye, Minister of Finance
“In connection with education, I think everything has to be tied back to the root causes of the constraints to economic growth in education and the equality of education and how that translates over towards the labor force. So, focus areas will include education, quality improvement that already ties in with work that is being done by the ministry of education to complement that work. Alongside that will be training as well. So we have talked about teachers training, all the work being done. This will support that, but in a broader sense. Those would be specific areas in focus and for implementation. The implementation period is over five years. It is not an overnight thing. A lot of work ties into what the constraints are and how we will address those challenges. In energy it gets technical. There will be a lot of policy development. A crucial part of the work is the development of the grid code so that there is more efficient use of electricity through our grid. There will be some work that we have to focus on and what we want to advocate for is support in battery energy storage and how much of that grant can assist us in funding battery energy storage.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca says the Government of Belize has sent a diplomatic protest note to the government of Guatemala, following a conflict between a group of Belizeans and Guatemalan Armed Forces on the Sarstoon River. The Belize Territorial Volunteers organized a trip to the Sarstoon River over the weekend. During their visit, a team of GAF soldiers rammed their boat into BTV’s vessel. According to Minister Fonseca, the incident has also been reported to the Organization of American States. He gave us further details.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We absolutely, of course, state very clearly that we, our sovereignty and territorial integrity over, a part of the Sarstoon River that is absolutely clear. The median line of the Sarstoon River is long established between Belize and Guatemala. So, anything north of that median line is Belizean waters. So, you know that that’s our very clear position.”
Reporter
“Minister, what do you say to Will Mejia? Who says you all have taken a stance against Israel. That’s all the way over there. And then you have Guatemala’s military violating us here in our backyard. Why not take a more serious diplomatic stance against them, too?”
Francis Fonseca
“But what more serious diplomatic standing can we make? We have agreed, the people of Belize have voted for us to resolve this issue through the International Court of Justice. We are pursuing that path to a peaceful resolution on this matter. You know, no disrespect to Will. I like Will. Will has never been in authority. He has never held power. He has never had responsibility for making decisions. On behalf of the Belizean people. We have that responsibility. I have that responsibility at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And we will exercise that authority with absolute competence, with absolute recognition and respect for the people of this country with their interest. It is not about being emotional and beating your chest and going down there and pretending you are big and bad. It is about doing the right thing in the interest of Belize.”
On Monday, we showed you the incident at the Port of Belize where an eighteen-wheeler whose container filled with imported goods, careened off the pier at the Port of Belize Limited and plunged into the sea below. Dockworkers were quick to render aid to the driver, who fortunately escaped unscathed. The truck that he was driving was not submerged before he got out. Today, the Management of the Port informed News Five that the accident was not caused by any deliberate driver negligence. It’s also not the first time that an accident like this has happened at the port facility. The accident happened while work was being done on the pier. A plumber reportedly crossed the pier to allow for the truck to pass, but in doing so, the driver swerved a little too much away to avoid hitting the plumber and hit the guard rail on the other side. The rail broke and the truck fell. The port equipment and consignee cargo are fully insured and that will take its normal course. The pier is outfitted with guard rails and pillars along both sides but those could not stop the load of around seventy-five thousand pounds from breaching the barriers. The truck was salvaged on Tuesday, using a crane to load it on a barge. While the truck is not expected to be useful because of being in the sea for two days.
September is a time of celebration. A time to celebrate Belize, its culture, and its people. Today, seven Belizean artists were honored by the National Celebrations Commission with Creative and Cultural Excellence awards for their contributions to Belize’s rich and diverse art sector. We attended the ceremony held at the House of Culture today to meet the awardees.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Do not be surprised when future history books mention the name Adela Peterson Vallejos. While you may not recognize the name now, she is well on her way to becoming someone you can’t forget. She is one of seven recipients of the National Celebrations Commission’s Creative and Cultural Excellence Awards. She received the Leela Vernon Prize for Creative Community Action and Safeguarding Cultural Heritage. It is said that culture is the spirit of a nation, and these winners are keeping the spirit alive.
Adela Peterson Vallejos
Adela Peterson Vallejos, Winner, Leela Vernon Prize
“It’s a big step forward. I represent the Yucatec Maya culture, and the Yucatec Maya culture has been marginalized. Their language is near extinction, so for everyone to recognize our efforts mean the world to us. Maybe now people will take attention and see that we need to do much more to preserve our ancestral language.”
Adela Peterson Vallejos was born and raised in Libertad Village in Corozal and has made her mark in the world by founding a chapter of the Consortium for Belizean Development. Wanting to connect with roots, she dedicated a portion of her life to learning her mother’s native tongue, Yucatec Maya, later establishing the To’one Masehualoone NPO.
Britney Gordon
“And I know that you decided to take the step to connect with that part of your heritage What does it mean for you to be an example that is never too late to take the step towards that.”
Adela Peterson Vallejos
“Yes, we can all make a difference. We just have to do something today.”
The winners hail from all over the country and vary in their areas of expertise. The other six winners are: Teresita Ulloa, recipient of the Beverly Smith Prize for Acting in Theatre and Film; Alfonzo Tzul, recipient of the Don Elijio Prize for the Protections and Development of Traditional Knowledge; Rowland Parks, recipient of the Zee Edgell Prize for Literary Arts; Mercy Sabal, recipient of the George Gabb Prize for Visual Arts; Mohobub Flores, recipient of the Andy Palacio Prize for Belizean Music; and husband and wife duo, Matthew and Virgin Martinez, recipients of the Rosita Baltazar Prize for Dance. Minister of Culture, Francis Fonseca acknowledged the significance of celebrating the trailblazers of the past, while acknowledging those who continue their work and create a new era culture.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture
“Cultural and creative moment. excellence awards. It’s all about making sure that we are recognizing, acknowledging, paying respect to our artists, our artistic community, our creative community. We do so by honoring great icons, so the awards are named after seven great artists, great creative people.”
It is vital that recipients feel supported as they pave the way for new generations of activist and artist.
Francis Fonseca
“We have gone through a process of identifying individuals in our country who have continued that work. And who continue to contribute to believes this cultural development. So it’s absolutely important very important for any country to honor and recognize its creative community. Culture is really the lifeblood of any nation. We’re very happy that we’ve established this. And that each year we’re able to identify and recognize and pay tribute to wonderful Belizeans who continue to contribute through culture to the national development of Belize.”
The pool of winners showcases Belize’s diverse population, not only in ethnicity but talents and abilities, such as Rowland Parks, the blind journalist leading the charge in literary excellence and Teresita Ulloa, who didn’t think she would be able to outdo her competition when she applied to be a librarian. She has since transformed the library into a place that fosters a love for learning. Peterson Vallejos hopes that by leading through example, the heart of her culture will beat on for years to come.
Britney Gordon
“What is your hope for the future of other Belizeans that might want to dip their toes into the work that you do?”
Adela Peterson Vallejos
“Well, everyone needs to do their part to preserve our ancestry, and to create a legacy for the next generation.”
Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca has weighed in on reports that at least three students were sent home from the Anglican Cathedral College because their hairstyle was deemed as unacceptable. As we reported, the students showed up to school on the first day with braids. The decision has sparked quite the public discourse. Some are of the view that students should adhere to every school rule, even if they don’t agree with the rule. Others are of the opinion that a hairstyle does not prevent a student from learning in the classroom. Well, today Minister Fonseca, in no uncertain terms, declared the school’s decision unlawful. He says it is improper to refuse a child entry because of their hairstyle.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“The Chief Education Officer immediately contacted the school, the principal, the administration, to resolve that issue. And as I have said over and over again, many times on the public record, the schools have the right to set certain rules and regulations and guidelines. But certainly, the length of your hair, the style of your hair is not one of them. So it is absolutely improper and in fact unlawful for any school to refuse a child entry into their school because of the style or length of their hair.”
Reporter
“In many case then, it seems that there’s a disconnect between these rule books in schools and the ministry’s policy and the law. How do you rectify that?”
Francis Fonseca
“Yeah, I mean, these are resolved through discussions, engagements. in the case of ACC, there’s a new administrator there, a new principal. And I think that may have contributed to some of the misunderstanding. No judgment on her, I think she is a very good principal and wants to act in good faith. But, you know, sometimes we do have this conflict between the church and the state even though we are partners in education. Sometimes they want to impose their standards and values on students and we support some of that in terms of reasonable guidelines, but, certainly as I’ve made very clear, in this particular case, they should understand what the rule is.”
Back in August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Francis Fonesca told reporters that Belize abstained from an O.A.S resolution calling for an audit of Venezuela’s recent elections. The resolution was triggered after the country’s opposition accused the Maduro camp of rigging the election. The Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher and representatives from the Elections and Boundaries Department were present during the elections as observers. Today, reporters asked Minister Fonseca for an update on Belize’s position. He explained that Belize supported the OAS’ latest call for transparency and accountability where the recent election results are concerned.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“My understanding is the minister of the public service did go. I don’t know if he went as an observer. I know a team from elections and boundaries were invited as observers. I think the chief elections officer and a few others. So, I believe the minister accompanied them. In what capacity, I don’t know. But he accompanied them. Now, in terms of the OAS resolutions that have been passed, I mean, Belize the last resolution that was passed, Belize, it was passed by consensus, what they call consensus. You don’t have to vote yes or no, but you’re present and you support. Belize supported that resolution calling for the disclosure of all the rules calling for more transparency, calling for accountability, calling for a halt to any human rights abuses, any imprisonment of any political persons. Belize supported that. That was a consensus vote. Some members of CARICOM did not attend that meeting. So, they did not support by consensus, but Belize deliberately made the decision that we would participate, we would attend. And we would support that consensus. Well, that’s the last O. A.S. Resolution, which believes supported.”
On Tuesday, we told you that the Belize Athletic Association moved to vote out President Cojac Smith and Public Relations Officer Gregory Meyers during a special meeting. We also heard from Smith, who told us that the decision violates the regulations that guide BAA decisions. Well, Smith and Meyers have taken their position one step further. They have retained the services of Glenn Godfrey’s law firm. Today, GDG wrote to the association on behalf of its clients. The letter says that his clients’ removal was not advised by the association’s disciplinary committee, which Godfrey asserts is contrary to the BAA’s constitution. Godfrey further contends that the BAA’s constitution provides no basis for removals based on personal grievances or through a vote of no confidence. The letter describes the move as an attempt at a hostile takeover that threatens the association’s standing with World Athletics. Godfrey refers to the motion as void and the appointment of Alvin Tillet as illegitimate and unlawful. Additionally, the letter calls on the BAA to cease and desist from any further slanderous statements against Smith and Meyers and to immediately remove its September second press release. Godfrey noted that failure to do so will result in Smith and Meyers seeking damages for defamatory publication. When we spoke with Smith on Monday, he contended that he did nothing to warrant a vote of no confidence.
Cojac Smith
Cojac Smith
“And what people seems to forget is that this is philanthropy work. This is not being paid for. I get nothing paid for this. A lot of times I take money out of my pocket and that is how we do it. It is both myself and the public relations officer that were victims of this situation. We weren’t given due process and the small handful of members that felt disgruntled with how things were handled, which you know people are always iffy on change, so they decided to take this route which is unconstitutional, and we are researching how we will deal with this going forward. I am always open to criticism. At the end of the day I am not perfect. I have things I can work on and change. However, this is also my profession. I do have degrees in these types of things, however management, so to be questioning my leadership based on what you think or your opinion that I should have done something when it is outside of the constitution, I actually following the constitution in relation to what they are stating out there. At the assembly I clearly articulated everything against the motion that was brought to me. However, it was just still go ahead and make the vote. I have no problem with taking criticism. However, in this instance I did nothing wrong. I followed the procedure. I made sure that whatever situation was brought to me was due process.”
Tonight, we continue with our nightly live coverage of the Carnival Mas Camps leading up to the annual Carnival Road March on Saturday. Joining us from the Black Pearl Junior Band mas camp is reporter Marion Ali and cameraman George Tillett with a look at what’s taking place with those revelers and their costumes.
The United Democratic Party has officially stated that Tracy Panton, Patrick Faber, John Saldivar, and Beverly Williams are no longer members of the party. This ‘clarification’ comes as the Alliance for Democracy announces a special unity convention scheduled for October 6th, which will address critical party matters, including reviewing executive appointments and voting on a motion to recall the current leadership and appoint an interim leader.
In response to UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte’s claim that several members had “constructively resigned,” Tracey Taegar-Panton declared, “We have not resigned; we will not resign from the UDP!” Taegar-Panton accused UDP Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow of violating the party’s constitution by appointing new standard bearers to replace the current ones.
Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber, Second Deputy Leader Beverly Williams, and former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar, who joined Taegar-Panton at the press conference, have been vocal in their opposition to the current UDP leadership.
The application period to fill the vacancies for UDP Standard Bearers in the Albert, Belmopan, Belize Rural Central, and Collet constituencies will close on September 6, 2024.
A 42-year-old police officer, Gerson Jones, has been arrested and charged with wounding following an ongoing investigation into a domestic dispute. According to reports, the incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, in Bella Vista Village, where Jones allegedly assaulted his common-law wife, causing injuries classified as wounding by a medical officer.
On Wednesday, September 4, authorities formally charged Jones, who has since been placed on interdiction pending further investigation.
