2024-05-01 - Channel 5 Belize

Deadly Violence in Chetumal Raises Concerns for Belizean Travelers

We begin our newscast tonight with an escalation in deadly cartel violence just north of the Belize border with Mexico, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. The popular Belizean destination has become a warzone for feuding drug gangs that operate in that southern Mexican state. Violent encounters between heavily armed gunmen have prompted the Mexican military to dispatch two hundred members of the Mexican army, air force, and national guard to the Othón Blanco municipality to quell growing insecurity among residents. This follows the murders of a businessman, as well as the head of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, and a minor whose father is a municipal police officer. Authorities have made several arrests and there has also been the kidnapping of a captain of the Mexican Army, who was released hours later. The rash of violence between the cartels has raised serious concerns among Belizeans who travel to neighboring Chetumal. News Five spoke with Oscar Arnold, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico, about the recent upheaval and his safety advice for Belizeans traveling to Quintana Roo.

Oscar Arnold, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico

“The official word coming out is that it’s two rivalling groups, two groups who are feuding and as such, the incidences have been targeted to people who supposedly are on a list. The entire Quintana Roo area as is a tourist hotspot, is a tourist destination. It includes everywhere from Calderitas, Bacalar, Xcalak, Tulum, Playa, Cancun. For Mexico, tourism is a $40 billion US a year industry, so it’s not something that they take lightly, and as far back as 2019, the federal government had dispatched national guards. They had dispatched 1500 national guards, so the Cancun and Tulum area to address and arrest the issues that were flaring up there in crime. So we’re seeing it at a smaller scale in Chetumal, and what they’ve been doing is that they’ve sent these National Guard men to try to support and assist and try to quell any further incidences from occurring. As it relates to Belizeans, I believe that the Government of Belize, the Foreign Affairs office as well as the security apparatus in Belize have been monitoring it. There’s been numerous meetings. I’ve been asked to send whatever, intelligence, whatever report that we have on the ground so that they can review it and take a look at it to see if there’s a decision that needs to be taken. I don’t think we are there yet, but Belizeans should observe some caution if they’re traveling across the border. I know that we go there for recreation we go there to shop we go there to visit family members, we go there for medical reasons. But I would advise them to stay on the major roads, don’t travel at night, don’t travel alone. Make sure that you have all your requisite paperwork. If you’re taking a vehicle over their insurance registration, and also to ensure that you check in formally at the immigration checkpoint at the border crossing. We’ve had several instances where Belizeans just drive across and then they run into a roadblock or a checkpoint later on down the road and then they get charged for committing some sort of immigration violation. Belizeans going over to Chetumal should expect to see increased security, increased roadblocks in and around Chetumal.”

ComPol Williams Discusses Violence in Southern Mexico

On the home front, Belizean authorities met earlier today to discuss citizen and national security in the face of mounting cartel aggression in southern Mexico. With concerns being raised among business owners in the Corozal Free Zone, as well as travelers, and residents near the northern border, the security apparatus came together this morning to discuss a strategy should the violence seep into northern Belize. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams spoke with the media this afternoon.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I guess by now the information coming out of Chetumal has been widespread within the Belizean population and there is some cause for concern by Belizeans in the event that what is happening there may trickle into Belize. And while we can look at the information coming out of there as reliable, there is also some that is not reliable. We know how your colleagues in the media can be at times, but as the security apparatus of the country it is important that we meet and so we met this morning to discuss our strategy in terms of how we are going to address the issues locally. There is no cause for concern or alarm as there is no information at this time to indicate that any of the players from Chetumal have or is coming into the country. But just as a means of precaution, to give the Belizean people that sense of safety and security, we met to discuss how we’re going to deploy our resources in the northern area and to see how we can reorganize our current northern operations to make sure that we can cover as much ground as we can. Our team, police and BDF, remains extremely vigilant along the irregular border crossing, as well as the regular border crossing. So there is where we are at this time.”

ComPol Says No Cartels are Operating Inside the Free Zone

Are the Mexican cartels and their operatives establishing themselves inside the Corozal Free Zone? It’s a question that was put to the Commissioner of Police following dubious reports that individuals believed to have been members of the warring drug gangs are taking hold of the CFZ. Here’s how ComPol Williams responded to that question.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“No. At this time, no. We did have an operation in the Free Zone yesterday where we had seen two vehicles that we were told had been left abandoned and we went to retrieve those vehicles but when we got there the owners came out and the vehicles were checked. They were legitimate vehicles and the owners were also checked out as well, and so those vehicles were released to their respective owners.

Reporter

“There was a report at some point that there was a cartel operative living within the Free Zone. What ever happened with that?”

Chester Williams

“I guess we had done something about that. I personally had put out a notice or a warning in respect of that and that person no longer resides or in any way is around the Free Zone area. He has removed himself from there and so currently there is no information to indicate that any of the bad actors from over on the Mexican side are operating or are living within the Free Zone area.”

Reporter

“So you would not say, then, that the Free Zone is compromised by cartel operatives from Mexico.”

Chester Williams

“At this time, no. The Free Zone is very safe. The security of the Free Zone remains in place and the police go there now and then, we also have a team of police officers who work the Free Zone area and so far all remains in order at the Free Zone.”

Can Belize’s Security Apparatus Match Mexican Cartels Weapons?

What about Belize’s ability to match firepower with the Mexican cartels should there be an armed conflict? According to the top cop, compared to what has been put forward elsewhere on social media, the Belize Defense Force, as well as its local counterparts, is more than capable and can meet the cartels where weapons are concerned.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Our team remains in place, extremely vigilant and alert and contrary to what… I heard a voice clip which was done by Santiago Castillo that the Belizean security forces are no match to the cartels. That’s not true. We are prepared in the event that anything should happen. This is our country, our people and we will defend our country and our people as best as we can. There is no time to be in fear of anything or anybody. I have not gotten any information to indicate that any member of the security forces, whether coast guard, police, or BDF are in fear of anything, no. No fear at all.”

Reporter

“Over time, members of the Belize Police Department have said to me that the weapons they have are no match even for our gangs here and this is before we saw those photographs of what was found on St. George‘s Caye. Now, Mexican cartels are on a way different level when it comes to weaponry and what they have access to.”

Chester Williams

“We have to understand that when we do patrols in urban settings, we don‘t issue big guns. So don‘t be fooled by the small .38 or nine millimeter you see with the police officers patrolling the urban areas. When we have officers conducting operations in the jungles or, for example the northern operations where they are doing patrols along the irregular border crossing areas, we don‘t carry nine millimeter or .38. We have weapons that are equally or more capable than what the enemies may have.”

Was Consejo Village Murder a Narco-related Execution?

While elements of the Mexican cartels are embedded in parts of northern Belize, the police department says that it is working carefully to weed out these criminals. When asked if the recent murder in Consejo Village last week was the result of drug activity related to the cartels, ComPol Williams could not provide a definitive response.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We know that we do have operatives in Belize who are on the side of the cartels. We know that, and I am not going to go into details in terms of our operational strategies, but certainly as a part thereof is to make sure that we target those persons who we believe are operating in Belize for the cartels, and I will leave it at that.”

Reporter

“The murder in Consejo of Johnny Arana, was his death, I think we understand that it’s narco-related, can you confirm this and is it related somehow to any of the situations that are happening in Chetumal right now.”

Chester Williams

“We know that it has a lot to do with the issue of drug distribution in Corozal. We can’t say that it is narco-related. We believe that those persons who executed that murder are from Belize and we are looking for them.”

LPG Companies Now Free to Import Following Court Ruling

There has been a shift in Belize’s liquified petroleum gas landscape yet again. Viewers may recall that back in 2019, the Government of Belize passed the National Liquified Gas Project Act in tandem with the establishment of National Gas Company Limited. Long-established LPG dealers were technically boxed out from the wholesale business and relegated to selling LPG on the retail market. As a result, Gas Tomza Limited, Western Gas Company Limited, Southern Choice Butane and Belize Western Energy Limited took the Government of Belize to court for breach of their constitutional right to property. In 2022, the High Court ordered the government to pay more than ten million dollars in compensation to the companies for damages. But what those companies truly wanted was for the law to be struck out so that they could resume importing LPG. Well, the matter was taken to the Court of Appeals and the four companies were successful in having that aspect of the legislation repealed. The group of companies was represented by four attorneys, including Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, who spoke with us today about this latest ruling.

Godfrey Smith S.C., Attorney-at-law

“The upshot of the judgement, perhaps three takeaways, one that the National Liquified Petroleum Gas Project Act, passed by the government in 2019 and amended in 2021 has been ruled by the Court of Appeal to be in breach of Gas Tomza and the other gas companies, of their right to property and their right to work. That is two. The third important take away is that requirement in the amendment to the law that says if you want to import LPG into Belize you must have storage facility of a minimum of one point five million U.S gallons to be able to get permission to import LPG. The governments attempted to say well we are not breaching anybody’s rights because you are free providing you build a storage facility of one point five million, clearly the argument was that was impractical, impossible and cant be reached and it effectively stimies your right to work, your right to freely be an importer of LPG and the court upheld that. So, as it stands therefore based on our interpretation of the judgment, Gas Tomza and the other litigants would now be free to build a storage capacity within their economic cost, within their reach that they are able to build and apply for permission to bring in LPG.”

Compensation Sum for LPG Companies Back in High Court for Deliberation

As for the ten-million-dollar compensation for damages awarded to the group of LPG companies, attorney Smith says the Court of Appeal has ordered that the High Court further assesses the sum. And though the LPG companies are free to exercise their right to import, there is no guarantee that they will be able to acquire the necessary permits from the Government of Belize.

Godfrey Smith S.C., Attorney-at-law

“There is also the matter of compensation for the breach of their rights, which the Court of Appeal ordered sent back to the High Court to be assessed. I should point out for completeness that the gas companies, Gas Tomza, Western Energies and the others also argued that other fundamental rights were breached like the rights to freedom of association and equality of law. The Court of Appeal said no, those were not breached, and the ten million dollars awarded by the High Court, the Court of Appeal found there was not sufficient evidence, so damages have to be reassessed, meaning done over. I think if I was to attempt to distill it into one significant thing, it is that requirement, that onerous, impossible requirement of having to have a storage facility of one point five million U.S gallons to be able to import LPG has been deleted form the law.”

Reporter

“Your clients are now free to exercise their business rights.”

Godfrey Smith

“Assuming there is no appeal.”

Reporter

“But, will they get, are they assured of getting a permit. I know the court cannot order an authority, but they still don’t have a permit to sell wholesale LPG in Belize.”

Godfrey Smith

“They will have to apply. I think one of them went out of business, Southern Choice Butane, there were four claimants at the very beginning s of the case. One went out of business. If the three wish to continue in the business of importing LPG, they will have to apply and the government can deny a permit, but it cannot be for any oppressive reason, it has to be for a good reason, especially because these companies were in the business before for many years.”

Central Bank Looks into Allegations Against ABL

Last Monday, the attorney for Michael Feinstein, Godfrey Smith, wrote to the Governor of the Central Bank of Belize requesting an investigation of Atlantic Bank Limited. The allegation was that ABL committed, “serial breaches of the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act”. The letter noted that ABL approved and disbursed over sixty million dollars in loan funds to Stake Bank Enterprise Limited using monies belonging to depositors, as well as the pension funds of employees working at Atlantic Bank Limited. The letter asserts that this was done without ensuring that adequate security was put in place at the onset. These were among the numerous allegations raised against ABL in the letter. Today, when reporters caught up with Smith, he said that the Central Bank of Belize has assured him that they are looking into the allegations.

Godfrey Smith S.C., Attorney-at-law

“As I understand it the Central Bank is looking into the matter.”

Reporter

“They have acknowledged the receipt of the letter?”

Godfrey Smith

“Yes, they have.”

Reporter

“But in terms of processes, what do you expect next? Have they given a timeline or do you expect that by a specific time?”

Godfrey Smith

“No, I do not know of a timeline, but I understand the matter is being taken seriously and being examined.”

Reporter

“How do you proceed, will Feinstein give the bank a certain time, let us say three months and then take them to court?”

Godfrey Smith

“Well I don’t think we are there yet. As I said, I think the Central Bank of Belize is taking the matter absolutely seriously and looking at the allegations, as it should, as it is obliged to do and as it is doing as far as I am aware.”

Central Bank Limited Revokes PD7, Domestic Banks Accept Voluntary Measures

The Central Bank of Belize announced on Tuesday that it has withdrawn Practice Direction Number Seven Act (PD7), following deliberate negotiations and collaboration with the domestic banks. PD7 sought to impose restrictions on certain fees and penalties by the banks. Belize Bank Limited challenged the legality of the act and in January, the High Court granted the bank an interim injunction to put a temporary halt on its enforcement. According to the Central Bank of Belize, further discussion was held to resolve any objections related to the act. As a result, the domestic banks have agreed to voluntarily implement a list of six measures as of June first. One is that no fee will be charged for accounts closed within one to three months of opening. Another is that no fee will be charged for the issuance of letters for the purpose of salary release or cancellation. Additionally, the fee for withdrawal at ATMs of the same institution from which the funds are being withdrawn will be capped at twenty-five cents. Today, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, attorney for Belize Bank Limited, told reporters that the bank is comfortable with making the required adjustments.

Godfrey Smith, S.C. Attorney-at-law

“We got here through a process of discussion between the Central Bank of Belize and the banks who stood to be affected by PD7. There were discussions and as you rightly point out, Central Bank agreed to withdraw PD7 and the banks will put certain measures in place on the first of June and subsequent to that date as well, to voluntarily put in place certain measures.”

Reporter

“Does the bank now have some comfort with this reduction of ATM charges going forward?”

Godfrey Smith

“I would have to say so otherwise they would not have agreed to voluntarily implement the measures to be implemented on the first of June and subsequently. I believe I saw some ad from the Central Bank on the news showing the measures that are to be implemented. But the answer to question is that if they were not happy about it or thought that it would be deleterious, they would not have agreed, and they have agreed to voluntarily implement these measures.”

Belize Bank Limited has undertaken to discontinue its claim upon the revocation of PD7.

JUNT and GOB Negotiating Team Meet After Six Months

The Joint Unions Negotiation Team met with representatives of the Government of Belize today after seven months. The union’s negotiating team is comprised of members from the Belize National Teachers Union, the Public Service Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers. The joint unions wrote Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde a few weeks ahead of today’s meeting proposing eight items for discussion. Among the proposals was a request to have the concluded Collective Agreement between the Government of Belize and the joint unions signed, a call for tax reform, and the establishment of a UN Anti-Corruption Commission. We caught up with the Deputy Prime Minister after the meeting in Belize City who spoke briefly about some of the outcomes from today’s discussions.

Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister

“I can tell you that the big deliverable has been the matter of the CBA that has been sixteen years outstanding. And the particular sticking point for all those years was proposal twenty-two. The big issue being that teacher, particularly at the secondary school level that are not government schools, government pays seventy percent of their salaries and the denominational management pay thirty percent. Upon retirement the government pays seventy percent of the pension, and the management pays thirty percent. But for many years a lot of those teachers who spent many years of their lives teaching were unable to collect their full pension because the managements have had difficulty with that. So, proposal twenty-two from the unions from way back as 2008 was about saying why don’t you take on a hundred percent of those salaries. At the high school level, the tertiary level, not just for teachers, but also for auxiliary staff. That has been a sticking point for all those years. in December the government finally agreed that we would cover that, that we would respond favorably to proposal twenty-two.”