A televised interview with Ministry of Education CEO Dian Maheia has sparked outrage among teachers, leading to a 25% surge in attendance at Friday’s demonstration in Belmopan, according to Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) President Nadia Caliz.
“They took issue with the CEO… they found her response to be arrogant,” Caliz said, referring to Maheia’s comments on Open Your Eyes. “I did not ask for a raise, my boss gave me—and now they want to demonstrate against me. In my view, she should have been quiet.”
Caliz accused the government of double standards, saying, “Our teachers are saying, ‘Boss, you didn’t recognize us,’ because it is the same boss. It’s an Animal Farm type of mentality we see happening.”
She added that while teachers want to return to the classroom, they feel disrespected. “The hard work they do needs to be recognized. The love they have for these students and the classroom needs to be recognized.”
Looking ahead, Caliz said the next step depends on government negotiations. “We go to the table, and we engage in phase two based on what they say… We still have the CBA and other issues to address.”
Following the ceremonial opening of Parliament in Belmopan on Monday, Prime Minister John Briceño addressed growing pressure from unions demanding an 8.5% salary increase. The Prime Minister acknowledged the unions’ right to demand better wages but cautioned that meeting their requests would significantly impact the national budget.
Briceño revealed that preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance estimate the proposed salary increase would add approximately $63 million to the government’s already substantial wage bill.
“I think it is their right to make those demands and ask of the government,” said Briceño. “It is our responsibility to meet with them and see what we could afford. If we can afford that, we will give it to them. If we can give them more, we will gladly give it to them.”
However, he said there is a need for fiscal responsibility. “The pie is one size. It is not bigger and it is growing slowly, but the demands are growing even larger. The wage bill is over seven hundred million dollars,” the Prime Minister stated.
Briceño warned that recklessly increasing the wage bill could force the government to slash critical social programs. “It gives us time to think that if we do that recklessly, then we may have to cut social programs or other things we want to do. So it is a balancing act from our end,” he explained.
He said the government will continue to engage with union leaders in hopes of reaching a compromise. “We sit down and try to talk to them to find a common ground that can meet some of their objectives, but at the same time for us to be a responsible government.”
The vibrant Crooked Tree Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show made a flavourful return this past weekend, drawing Belizeans from all over the country to celebrate a cherished tradition rooted in community, culture, and cashew. Now in its 37th year, the annual event transformed the village’s football field into a hub of activity, offering a wide array of cashew-based treats—from the traditional to the innovative.
Crooked Tree Village Chairman, George Tillett, reflected on the festival’s humble beginnings. “It is that time of year,” Tillett said. “For some people, they call it Crooked Tree Christmas in April and May, because that is when a lot of cash is generated through these famous cashew products. It’s a tradition that goes on from year to year—only getting better.”
The event highlights the versatility of the cashew fruit, with stalls boasting everything from jams, jellies, pastries, and wine to more experimental items like pickled cashew and cashew milk. Long-time resident Verna Samuels stressed the effort put into showcasing the fruit in new and creative ways. “We’re trying to make as many things as possible out of cashew,” Samuels explained. “We’re sticking to traditional jams, juices, jellies, desserts, pastries, even butter. But this year we’re also trying things like pickling cashew and bringing back preserved versions. And we’re giving cashew milk another go—it tastes a bit like almond milk, and people seem to like it.”
Across the venue, both traditional and non-traditional dishes infused with cashew were on display. Residents like Joan Marie Swasey Arana and Ricky Burns showed off their techniques for preparing the fruit and nut.
“The fruit is very important—especially for people that make wine, jams, and jellies,” said Burns. “But with the recent dry weather and heat, we don’t get as many fruits as we used to. Still, we collect them, separate the nuts, wash, dry, and roast them. It’s a process, but the value is worth it.”
This morning in Belize City, it was a chaotic scene after a man made a daring jump off the BelCan bridge into the water below to evade police officers. The incident took place this morning around seven thirty a.m. when a man, seemingly pursued by police, took an unexpected route and plunged into the water.
In a video captured shortly after the man entered the water, a boat that happened to be passing by stopped to let the authorities on board. The police officers then continued their search for the man in the water, however, he had already slipped away into the bushes, once again avoiding police capture.
The details of why he was being pursued remain unknown at this time.
A joint ceremonial sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate was held this morning in Belmopan, marking the first official session since the People’s United Party’s re-election on March 12. The event unfolded outside the Sir Edney Cain Building, drawing members of both the House and the Senate, even as a large number of public officers and teachers staged a major demonstration just blocks away.
Led by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), with support from the Public Service Union (PSU) and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), the protest coincided deliberately with the ceremonial sitting. The unions are demanding salary increases, improved working conditions, and urgent action on a long-pending collective bargaining agreement.
Inside the ceremony, Prime Minister John Briceño honoured Tropic Air pilot Howell Grange and passenger Jair Castaneda for their bravery in preventing a hijacking on April 17. Both were in attendance and received a standing ovation. Another passenger involved, Fitzgerald Brown, remains hospitalised.
In his address, the Prime Minister shifted focus to national security, announcing sweeping legislative reforms aimed at curbing gun violence and gang activity.
“Most importantly, Cabinet has given directives to the Attorney General’s Ministry to draft legislative amendments to increase the penalty for illegal firearm possession to 10 years,” said Briceño.
He also addressed ongoing concerns about the impact of emergency powers on citizens. “Adjustments will also be made to a state of emergency provisions under the Constitution to ensure that our law-abiding citizens and visitors feel free and are not negatively impacted by curfew and restricted mobility. The good must not suffer for the bad,” he said.
“We must call it what it is — not a state of emergency, but a gang intervention period,” Briceño declared. “Our government refuses to allow our citizens to be held hostage by criminal gangs, and we will do whatever it takes to protect and preserve the safety and security of our citizens and visitors. We know we can and will win this fight against criminal behaviour.”
Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam and Speaker of the House Valerie Woods also delivered remarks during the session.
A wave of green and unity swept through the streets of Belmopan today as members of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), joined by the Public Service Union (PSU) and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), staged a massive demonstration. The protest coincided with the ceremonial opening of the National Assembly and marked the launch of the BNTU’s three-phase industrial action plan.
The demonstration, backed by more than 2,500 union members, signals mounting frustration over delayed salary adjustments, unfulfilled agreements, and the rising cost of living. The unions are demanding an 8.5% salary increase for teachers, a raise in the minimum wage from $5 to $6, an increase in the transfer grant from $1,200 to $1,500, and swift action on a Collective Bargaining Agreement submitted last November.
Speaking to News Five, BNTU President Nadia Caliz said today’s turnout exceeded expectations. “I thought we would see around 2,500 to 3,000 teachers, but thanks to a media interview yesterday, our numbers surged by over 25%,” she stated. “This isn’t about attacking anyone. We’ve waited long enough. Our teachers are still waiting on increments and salary adjustments while others have received theirs. It’s time for us to get our piece of the pie.”
Despite the scale of the demonstration, the Ministry of Education instructed all schools to remain open. In response to union pressure, the government has formed a negotiation team, led by Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, to begin talks with union representatives.
A Facebook post is drawing public attention to a troubling incident at a primary school, where an infant – one student was reportedly pushed by another child, resulting in serious injury.
According to the post, the young girl sustained a black eye and required emergency medical attention. In a follow-up post, the parent revealed that the child also received stitches to her head. “Poor baby’s head has stitches,” the sister wrote.
The sister’s posts accuse both the teacher responsible for supervising the children and the aggressor’s parents of negligence. “Please, if you’re a parent and you know your child is rude, put a leash on them before someone else has to do it for you,” she wrote. “My sister is in infant one — how can a child so small be so badly hurt from a push?”
She also questioned where the teacher was during the incident and called for more accountability in schools.
The emotional posts have sparked a wider conversation online about child discipline, school supervision, and student safety.
This morning, Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton held a press conference at her constituency office to address the recent ruling by Justice Tawanda Hondora. The decision, handed down on Wednesday afternoon, declared that Panton’s expulsion from the U.D.P. was unlawful and that the October twentieth, 2024, convention she held was not an official U.D.P. event. Panton stated that she respects Justice Hondora’s decision and believes it sets the stage for the party to chart a new path forward in selecting a new executive team. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on Panton’s reaction and the implications for the U.D.P.’s future.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Wednesday, High Court Justice Tawanda Hondora delivered a pivotal ruling in the United Democratic Party’s internal conflict involving Tracy Taegar-Panton, Moses Shyne Barrow, and others. The thirty-seven-page judgment declared Panton’s expulsion from the UDP unlawful and stated that the October twentieth convention she led was not an official UDP National Convention. Today, Panton responded to the ruling, marking a significant moment in the ongoing leadership struggle within the party.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“It leaves the party having to make a determination on a way forward, not post October twentieth, post March twelfth and we all know how March twelfth played out. The former party leader of the U.D.P. lost his seat and what the U.D.P. constitution dictates, if you lose your seat you cannot serve in the capacity of leader.”
Justice Tawanda Hondora has ruled that Tracy Taegar-Panton’s expulsion from the UDP breached several articles of the party’s constitution. The judgment highlighted that no evidence was presented to show that the Central Executive Committee investigated. Additionally, Panton was expelled without a hearing, and the decision was made by individuals with apparent grievances against her. However, Justice Hondora stopped short of declaring that Panton is or remains a member of the UDP.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“If it was not valid, I was not expelled, I was not constructively resigned, I am a member of the party, I ran under the U.D.P umbrella, I won under the U.D.P umbrella, I have been appointed as leader of the opposition under U.D.P umbrella. I think you have the answer. It is not for any court to step within a membership organization, a political organization and tell the membership how it ought to conduct it affairs. I think he made that explicitly clear in his judgement.”
In an interesting turn of events, Justice Hondora has ruled against the expulsion of several key party members. Attorney Sheena Pitts announced that the ruling not only affects Panton but also nullifies the expulsions of Beverly Williams, Patrick Faber, and John Saldivar.
Sheena Pitts
Sheena Pitts, Attorney-at-Law
“When the claim was filed, honorable Panton counterclaimed and in her counterclaim other parties were sought to be added in the form of honorable Faber, Mr. Saldivar and Beverly Williams. So the expulsion point in the counterclaim covered all such members and what happened in the case the judge said to save cost we will not add these members but we can address the expulsion point as a preliminary issue and we will deal with in turn, address it for honorable Panton and the ramifications for honorable Panton applies to those person.”
Justice Hondora has declared the October twentieth meeting invalid, stating it did not adhere to the UDP constitution’s guidelines for national conventions. According to Hondora, a legitimate national convention must be organized and held by the Central Executive Committee. However, this meeting was orchestrated by Panton and her supporters. Furthermore, Hondora emphasized that the UDP constitution grants the National Party Council the exclusive authority to set the date for a national convention, which must be chaired by the council’s chairperson. This ruling raises questions about the legitimacy of the decisions made during the controversial meeting.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“We felt compelled. The decision makers of the party was clamoring. The situation was completely untenable and so we took action, we made, and we respect that, procedural missteps. I can assure you that will not happen in the future.”
Pitts has conceded that her appointment as interim chair of the UDP, made on October twentieth, is invalid. This acknowledgment follows Justice Hondora’s ruling, which found the appointment did not comply with the party’s constitutional requirements.
Sheena Pitts
“The appointment for me as interim chair cannot hold, I am not the chair and especially backed up by the judgement, I am not the chair. But we knew that since general election, because those interim appointment only lasted until the general election. The general election was definitive in that it is the great reset.”
As the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) navigates its future, Tracy Taegar-Panton has made a striking revelation: the party currently has no leader. Panton asserts that Barrow, having lost his seat in Mesopotamia and subsequently resigned, no longer has the authority to make decisions for the U.D.P. When asked about the party’s leadership, Panton’s response highlighted the uncertainty and need for a clear direction moving forward.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“I think the leadership will be determined when we have a leadership convention. In the absence of a leader, the deputy leader is tasked with taking on some of those responsibilities. In the absence of a chair, the vice chair is asked to take on some of those responsibilities, but there is no leader of the U.D.P. There is a first deputy leader and a second deputy leader who will step into that role until a leader has been determined.”
Sheena Pitts
Sheena Pitts, Attorney-at-law
“On March eighteenth and before the media, all members, all caretakers and area representatives met at the Biltmore Plaza and there the Honorable Hugo Patt stood up and declare his support for the intended leadership of the honorable Tracy Taegar Panton. It is correct to appreciate that since the great reset, there is no party leader, the former party leader not only lost his seat, but also resigned, a resignation you cannot take back. The former chairman, Michael Peyrefitte, has also resigned and has not gone down the same road of trying to take back that resignation. So it creates two voids, for party leadership and for chair.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton has initiated the process to convene a national party council meeting to set a date for a leadership convention. At this convention, party delegates will choose the U.D.P.’s new leader. With no current chairman, Alberto August is stepping in as acting chairman. Panton confirmed that August has already indicated they will proceed with the NPC meeting to finalize the date for the leadership convention. This step marks a crucial moment for the party as it seeks to establish its future direction.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“We are definitely adhering to the process. As I said, two weeks ago we started collecting the signatures for an NPC to be convened, to mandate it, because once it is petitioned, it must be convened. Those signatures have been delivered to the vice chairman status quo ante. Those signatures have been delivered to the secretary general. In my conversations with Alberto August earlier this week, there was an agreement and he wrote to me formally to say we will proceed with an NPC and that NPC a date will be determined for a leadership convention to be held.”
Paul Lopez
“We heard Mr. Barrow speak about October, are we concerned any at all about the apparent hold he has on the process and how it may frustrate this entire timeline and the plans we are setting out.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“This party does not belong to Tracy Panton, it does not belong to Hugo Patt, it does not belong to Beverly Williams. It does not belong to Beverly Williams. It does not belong to Jamal Barrow. The party belongs to the people.”
