Parliamentarians Meet in Belmopan Amid Demonstration

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.