A five-year ordeal is finally over for the Coye family of Belize City. This afternoon, the Court of Appeal overturned Melonie Coye’s conviction for money laundering and ordered the Financial Intelligence Unit to return one point five million dollars plus interest forfeited from her company, Money Gram International. Her father, Michael, was also exonerated posthumously. Despite suffering from chronic diabetes, Michael spent time behind bars until last November when the Court of Appeal granted him bail. He died within five days of his release and his family could barely afford his funeral expenses. Melonie was also granted bail at the time of her father’s passing. The appeal today was won on the grounds that the F.I.U. could not prove the charge of money laundering or that the confiscated monies were proceeds of a crime. The Coye’s were arrested on December thirty-first 2008 sparking their legal challenge in the courts to clear their name. In August 2012, Melanie and her father were sentenced to three years and fined one hundred thousand dollars each, while two employees: Detrick Kingston and Athlee Matute were fined twenty-five dollars each and given no jail time. At the onset of the ordeal, Melanie’s mother, Marlene, and her husband, James Gerou, and brother, Jude Coye, were also charged. Those charges were subsequently withdrawn against them. The Court of Appeal judges are justices Samuel Awich, Douglas Mendez and Dennis Morris. 

Marco Vidal

Tonight, News Five has confirmed that Officer Commanding Special Branch, Marco Vidal, who has been at the helm of the Gang Suppression Unit since its formation in 2010, has been replaced as its chief officer.  The reason for his removal remains unclear; however, Vidal, whose portfolio was expanded a year ago to include leadership of Special Branch, will be succeeded by Superintendent Linden Flowers.  Vidal has come under sustained fire primarily for his approach to getting the job done. Despite the GSU’s notable record for drug busts, its intelligence-led operations have come under intense public scrutiny on several occasions. One such incident was back on May twentieth, 2011, when a team of officers stormed the residence of Belmopan businessman, Mike Menjivar. During the raid, multiple shots were fired inside the home of La Cabana’s proprietor, who told nine-one-one dispatchers that he believed he was under siege by a gang of criminals. That incident resulted in Menjivar’s arrest and remand, followed by a protracted legal battle over what transpired during the shootout. 

Linden Flowers

More recently, Vidal’s name resurfaced in the Supreme Court, as well as the media, when fellow officer Corporal Gino Peck was convicted for possession of unlicensed ammunition.  The raid on Peck’s Curassow Street residence, according to the GSU boss, was also the result of an intelligence-led operation.  Peck’s subsequent case divided the Belize Police Department, as many officers were of the opinion that the matter should have been handled internally. Vidal later explained that the suggestion that the case against Peck was motivated by some personal vendetta was preposterous and that his interaction with Peck had at best, been minimal. Vidal, it is believed, will remain head of the Special Branch.

It is hoped that there will be a massive turnout of women at the rally, but aside from the Roman Catholic Church, the organizers have received another very surprising declaration of non-support. That came from the People’s United Party, which has always claimed to be all about women empowerment. In fact, that party released its Women’s Agenda today, but they will be a no-show at the rally. So why are the P.U.P. women boycotting the event? Deputy Leader Dolores Balderamos-Garcia says that basically the twenty-thousand strong rally is showboating without substance, a stylishly-prepared meat platter without any meat. That’s one reason. And then there’s the other. Balderamos-Garcia says that the budget for the one-day event comes in at more than a quarter-million dollars, and that expenditure, she says, is ludicrous and atrocious.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Deputy Leader, P.U.P.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“We received an invitation and I want to say respectfully that this is no personal disparagement to the Prime Minister's wife Miss Barrow. But when we looked at all of the issues challenging the women of Belize today, we felt that in good conscience we couldn’t not just go out there and join a rah-rah rally. We felt that is absolutely too important, the issues of women are too important to trivialize it in terms of our participation in what we consider something that is not real and something and something that is more of a smokescreen than something that is going to benefit the Belizean people.  

For example, I want to say to you that we have learned that the budget for this event is over two hundred and seventy thousand dollars. We cannot in good conscience support that kind of public expenditure out of tax payers money, bring women into Belize City, have them put on an orange T-shirt, give them a plate of food and listen to talks and rah-rah and then they will go back to Toledo, they will go back to the Cayo and the north and the cayes and face the same reality. We have to look at everything from—not a partisan political point of view, but the point of view of what is the U.D.P. government doing for women. And our answer, when we really look at it is a big fat zero. So why bring out people to a rah-rah rally and then they will go back to their same reality.”

Ann-Marie Williams

Ann-Marie Williams, Executive Director, Women’s Commission

“The budget is not over two hundred and seventy thousand dollars for this one event; the budget is over two hundred and seventy thousand dollars, but it is premise on a year-long series of activities. The majority of our money came from the Oak Foundation and we’ve had a lot of great corporate sponsors along with other sponsors that we’ve written proposals to fund this event. It is by no means public money.”

Mike Rudon

“Could you tell us what extent of that money, what amount…because we assume there was some Government of Belize funding either through the Ministry of Human Development?”

Ann-Marie Williams

“The Government of Belize and the Ministry of Education, I must say, has assisted us with some transportation and not with money. You would know that the Ministry of Education run school buses and so it is from that angle and that is some of the help that we are getting.”

Today, News Five tried to get some official clarification on the budget from the Ministry of Human Development, but we were unsuccessful. As you will have seen, the copy of the budget we received today indicates that the rally will cost two hundred and seventy-one thousand dollars: more than a hundred thousand on transportation, and more than a hundred thousand for what is referred to as rally logistics. We could also not confirm allegations that government is footing a large part of the bill.

Final preparations are being put to the Twenty Thousand Strong Women Empowerment Rally, organized by the {rime Minister's wife, with logistical support from the National Women’s Commission. But on Tuesday evening, the huge undertaking came under fire when the Roman Catholic Church, the biggest denomination, said it would not endorse it. It has huge ramifications because the Ministry of Education has given the green light for teachers to participate including those from church-state schools. In a signed statement, Bishop Dorick Wright, on behalf of the church, expressed his support for the condemnation of all forms of violence, aggression and disrespect of women.  The church, however, does not support the rally since it doesn’t speak to the complementary role of men in society. Likewise, the Catholic Church remains resolute in its position that the Women’s Commission promotes values, including abortion, as well as same-sex relationships, which contradict Christian and moral teachings.  Not surprisingly, the Prime Minister's wife Kimmy Barrow, as well as the NWC has taken umbrage to the letter.  Today, Ms. Barrow issued a release expressing her disappointment in the position of the church.  She told News Five that it is simply a matter of miscommunication.

Kimmy Barrow, Prime Minister's wife

“It’s very disappointing because this rally really is about women and celebrating women, nothing else.  I mean it’s unfortunate that the church, and I believe [the release] mentioned about abortion and whole number of things that really caught me off guard and I think not only me, but a lot of other people.  It’s amazing the support, the calls from Catholics who have been calling me to say, “I support and I will be out there,” because they do not support the position that the church has laid out. It’s really, respectfully and I grew up catholic…I have to say that the church has been fed wrong information and it is an injustice to women in Belize for that to have happened.

A simply phone call to myself…I know people in the Catholic Church, they could have picked up the phone and call me and say hey let’s discuss this; what is this about…how can we come together to make this truly a success. Again it really goes to say how much harder we have to work; how we have to really start standing with each other and building each other up. Again this rally isn’t about destroying our men, tearing our men; this rally is about us walking side by side with our men. It is about us taking, sitting around that table with our men making important decisions.”

The rally got plenty attention; a lot of it even before today. Politicians weighed in, and so did social activists, humanitarian organizations, the B.N.T.U., anti-gay protesters, gender-policy dissenters and even the mighty Roman Catholic Church. But today, all attention was directed on center stage, so Mike Rudon took to the outskirts to get the vibe on the ground. Here’s that story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

It is a first of its kind initiative, and while it met with criticism, derision, rejection and even condemnation, it certainly got participation….very positive participation. His party blasted the rally on Wednesday, basically saying it was an expensive but meaningless affair…but former PUP leader John Briceño was up front and center today, and not afraid to speak his mind.

John Briceño

John Briceño, Orange Walk Area Representative

“Today, I’m here to support the women, and I must add also my wife is here as a speaker, and I have to come here to show her the support and that I am proud of her and I am proud of all the women, of the work that they have done for this great country, Belize.”

Reporter

“So will you get in trouble for being out here today?”

John Briceño

“I don’t think so. I think the party is understanding…our party is an inclusive party…our party believes that yes, the party may take a certain position but at the end of the day we are individuals and we believe that if we believe strongly about something that we should be able to stand up and speak in favour of what you truly believe in.”

The twenty-thousand strong rally has been promoted as a movement to empower women….at time for their voices to be heard, and a time for politics to be put aside. So while politicians were on hand, politics was put on the backbench.

Lisel Alamilla

Lisel Alamilla, U.D.P. Minister

“I think this is an event that we should celebrate as women. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that as women we can come together and really focus on the challenges that we face and I think this is what this is about. Those who choose to view it differently…that is totally their prerogative.”

Reporter

“How is this, and I’m just going by the main criticism…how are women being empowered by being here?”

Lisel Alamilla

“Well the idea of this really is to bring women together and to start to plant the seeds and to create the awareness that as women we need to unite and go back to our communities so that we can mobilize the women at all levels of our society to action…”

Herman Longsworth

Herman Longsworth, U.D.P. Minister

“I am quite comfortable with my masculinity and I am never threatened by women. And I believe that the time has come for us to embrace the principle of women as equals to men…I really believe that.”

There has been, like we said, criticism of the event…much of it from the church and from politicians. Today those who attended had responses for both those sectors.

David Goff,

Reverend David Goff, Former President, Methodist Church

“I know there have been those who have come out strongly…there have been those dissenting voices. In some respects it’s unfortunate that has turned out to be so, but I guess we have to respect the views of others…to each his own. Yet I think everybody should know at the same time that those voices do not represent the whole church and that there are other persons in the church and other church leaders who see things differently and so who feel that such a move as this is important, so it’s good to be a part of this twenty-thousand strong women’s rally.” 

Herman Longsworth

“I know that there has been a lot of criticism. I will not disrespect anybody who has criticized. I simply want to say that if they can do better, then come out and do so.”

And for some, it wasn’t only about empowerment…it was about using the forum to send a message about critical concerns affecting women and children. Patty Arceo’s nephew was killed early this morning, his body riddled with bullets. She says the grief she feels at his cruel murder is what inspired her attendance here and her message today.

Patty Arceo

Patty Arceo, P.U.P. Political Officer

“Left, right and center our young men are being killed. Our young people, children are suffering from all of this…families are suffering. But what are we going to do about all of this…just say oh my, oh no, it’s your nephew, it’s your son, it’s your daughter. NO. It is time to stand up and I take the platform today to call on the relevant authorities to start doing your work today. Don’t wait until elections are coming. Do your work today.”

A powerful message, fitting for what was a very powerful showing of woman-power today….Mike Rudon for News Five.

Led by Kim Simplis Barrow, the Special Envoy for Women and Children, the planned women’s empowerment rally took place this morning in Belize City travelling from Memorial Park to the Marion Jones Stadium. It is a precursor to World’s Women’s Day celebrated on March eighth and according to Simpliss Barrow, the start of a one year calendar of activities.  All seemed to have been going well until two days ago when the Roman Catholic Church and the Seventh Day Adventists announced they were not supporting the event dubbed as twenty-thousand strong. While the numbers fell short, the energy was at an all time high among participants who included women from all walks of life. We have full coverage of the event and we start with Isani Cayetano.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

An ambitious effort to mobilize twenty thousand women from all corners of the country, to participate in a first-of-its kind empowerment rally, came to fruition in Belize City today, sans the tangible number of attendees.  The gathering began this morning with a procession from Memorial Park, the result of a mammoth undertaking to bus as many people into the Old Capital by eight o’clock.

Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis-Barrow, Special Envoy for Women & Children

“It’s overwhelming and I am very happy to see so many women out here today.  It’s such a surreal experience to know that all this came together with just one thought.”

The throng, a sea of orange t-shirts worn by women and children, for the most part, made its way from Marine Parade onto Newtown Barracks, before culminating at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex.  The outcome, despite a lack of support from some members of the religious community, has galvanized women from all walks of life.

Reverend Mary Martin, Supporter

“The empowerment of twenty thousand Belizean women is a step in the right direction.  It’s a step.  Women, various types of women, all types of women are welcome here; no political agenda, no religious agenda, just women who want to make a positive impact in our world.”

Janelle Chanona

While there may not be political or religious motivation, the idea is for women to be equally represented in all areas of Belizean society.

Janelle Chanona, Guest Speaker

“This event is only one catalyst for the change we want to see.  The Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, in collaboration with its partners, is commencing a year-long campaign which features a series of events and opportunities to build more awareness about the need to have women’s participation and leadership in every level of society.”

It is a sentiment shared by all in attendance.  While women have assumed leadership roles in the household, there is still a great need for participation at the highest level of decision-making, particularly where it concerns the wellbeing of the Belizean people.

Myrna Manzanares

Myrna Manzanares, Supporter

“As far as I am concerned, women are always women and they have that thing within themselves that they always want to shine without putting anybody down.  So when we have an opportunity like this to bring all the women together so that they could get together and realize [their strength], it’s like a chain reaction.  They realize that, “you know what, this person and that person are thinking some of the same things and I can touch you and she can touch her, all the way down the line.”  That is wonderful because it brings out what we have inside.”

…and what lies within, to hear Tara Hernandez tell it, is wealth untold.

Tara Hernandez

Tara Hernandez, Supporter

“I’m from Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College and I think this event is great to uplift our females today and I believe that everyone could be successful in life and everything comes with just doing what is possible and I think that anything can happen with God in our lives.”

Interestingly, the Roman Catholic Church did not give this event its blessings.  The turnout by no means is paltry; however, hundreds more could have attended, including teachers from Corozal who were scheduled to attend the rally.

Sandra Reyes, Supporter

“We had a lot of teachers from the Catholic schools up to yesterday.  This morning and late yesterday evening, most of them called and said that they won’t be able to make it again but they didn’t give a reason why they wouldn’t be able to make it again.”

Sandra Reyes

Isani Cayetano

“Do you believe that it may have something to do with the position that the Catholic Church has taken with regards to this event?”

Sandra Reyes

“Well yes, I believe so but to my knowledge I believe they have it in the wrong context, you know.  To me it doesn’t have anything to do with abortion and gays and whatever things like that but they put it into that context, so…”

The underlying philosophy, it would seem, is that since the movement is organized, in part, by those behind the Revised Gender Policy, which itself is controversial, it is being staunchly opposed by the church.

Reverend Mary Martin

Mary Martin

“There are Roman Catholic women here and so a position is taken, politically, on certain issues but people still work individually in their area of consciousness.  I will not say what the church should have done, I do believe that we stand for inclusion, we stand for dignity, we stand for love.  I can say those things about the church.”

The resounding message of today’s show of solidarity to highlight women’s issues, despite the outcome, is not lost on the Special Envoy for Women and Children.

“We need to start building each other up instead of tearing each other down.  That we have come so far but we have yet a long way to go.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.

The Prime Minister announced that a big slice of the 2014/2015 Budget will be spent on personal emoluments; that’s three hundred and thirty two million dollars. Teachers and public officers will be getting five percent in salary adjustments and two percent in increments. Barrow made that announcement inside the house, but outside the teachers held a peaceful demonstration on national issues. But they also want more than a verbal commitment; they want it in writing. Mike Rudon has that story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

This morning hundreds of teachers marched down the Ring Road in Belmopan. With customary enthusiasm and what has become a trademark targeting of PM Dean Barrow and Minister Patrick Faber, these unionists from all ten branches of the BNTU wanted to ensure that their message is not misunderstood. In his Budget presentation today the PM made a commitment of a minimum of five percent salary adjustment. But the teachers seem less than trusting of his word.

Adelaida Guerra, Vice President, BNTU

Adelaida Guerra

“We have not received any writing about the salary adjustment. We have heard our Prime Minister’s saying five percent, but as part of the negotiating team we have nothing in writing. So we are asking—our members are asking for the written form because we noh want that in a week time or whatever, it changes. So that’s one of the things, and then we still have our social issues pending that we are still fighting for. Teachers are standing for that for our country.”

While the matter of the House proceeded without interruption, outside the House almost one thousand teachers gathered on Independence Hill with placards and determination. To be truthful it was expected that a larger percentage of the BNTU’s almost six thousand strong would be in attendance. But that could have something to do with the announcement by Patrick Faber that teachers who attended would be docked three days pay.

Reporter

“What kind of numbers are you all looking at today?”

Luke Palacio

Luke Palacio, BNTU National President

“We are not looking at numbers. What we do know that we have the ten branches of the B.N.T.U. out here, and you can see they are out here in large numbers despite the attempt of intimidation by the Minister of Education. We’ve said it before and we’re saying it again—our teachers are fully well aware that when they take industrial action, their salary may be withheld. It doesn’t say ‘shall’. It says may be withheld and that is what we’re about. Again we’ve said it, Saturday and Sunday are a none school day and we’re hoping that those managements and the Ministry of Education in particular will not try to penalize our teachers by taking out of their salaries on Saturday and Sunday as they have been purported to be—to be—attempting to do.”

Adelaida Guerra

“I know that he has mentioned that but in our rules it says that we could get deducted the Saturday and the Sunday if we are missing on Monday, but as you know, Monday is a holiday. So I noh see how that will work, but we are out here because we believe in what we are fighting for.”

Luke Palacio, BNTU National President

“We don’t want to waste our time answering that but obviously this has nothing to do with politics but that is what politicians do. They practice politics so everything for them is politics. As far as we are concerned, this is a movement that is legally established in this country since 1970 and we continue to do what we need to do for our people of Belize.”

Prime Minister Barrow has stated that twenty-two million has been allocated which represents a five percent salary adjustment.

Luke Palacio

“We have a formula that we’re working that they proposed. If they formula is showing that there is—that there—the amount that is going to be given to the raise is twenty-two million, that is fifty percent of what was raised. So it is not the teachers demanding more. We’re saying that there is a formula that we are working and we’re going to adhere to that to see how it works out. We had requested initially as a counter-proposal, a bottom, flooring for the adjustment. The Prime Minister has not agreed. We still have that as an issue that we will negotiate, but it is not—I don’t want you or public to go with the idea that we are asking for more than what—what they are proposing at this stage. That is what the figures are showing—that they—that the formula will allow us to get.”

The salary adjustment issue is high on the priority list, but as we heard today, teachers also want to rein in corruption, and tops on their list is former Minister of State Elvin Penner behind bars.

[Nat Sound]

Luke Palacio

“You will recall the B.N.T.U. was one of the first organizations that put out a press release that we are not going to settle down until justice is brought. If Penner is found guilty then justice must be served because if it were an ordinary citizen that would have happened a long time ago so we stand with anybody ensuring that justice is done. If he is found not guilty that’s fine but let us not have anybody believe that they are above the law.”

Teachers were extremely vocal, energized, determined and unhappy for the entire duration of the House proceedings, which ended at just before two this afternoon. Mike Rudon reporting for News Five.

Over the years, viewers have come to expect that behavior in the national assembly has generally been unbecoming and unruly. But earlier today that spill outside the national assembly where supporters from both political parties got physical and police had to intervene to stop the violence. As tempers flared, Minister of Human Development, Anthony “Boots” Martinez didn’t check his change and got in the thick of things….and so did Orange Walk Central area representative, John Briceño. When all hell broke loose, the prime minister had to interrupt his interview with the media. Here is how it all unfolded.

[Nat Sounds]

Francis Fonseca

So while official verification of a warrant issued for Penner’s arrest is pending, his name was very much a part of matters in the House today. Following a writ of Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court, claimant in that case Francis Fonseca had written to Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie for an update on the criminal investigation. Fonseca gave Whylie a deadline of two pm today to respond. Today both Fonseca and PM Barrow weighed in on Penner, with Fonseca stating that up to midday he had not gotten a response from the Commissioner.

Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader

“The expiring of the statute of limitations as it relates to the second offense under the national passport act. So it is an important deadline and we feel that we are obligated in light of the order of the court to find out on behalf of the people of Belize what is the status of this investigation. Because we are approaching a long weekend and if action is to be taken I believe it should be taken today.

meet.”

Reporter

“Have you spoken to him to find out if he intends to even provide and update?”

Francis Fonseca

“No, no I have not had no personal contact with the commissioner. But like I said my lawyers have written to him on the record and we hope that this time he would respond. The last time he refused to respond and it is only by forcing him to go to court that we found out on behalf of the Belizean people that he in fact had made that determination not to investigate this matter. But now he has been ordered by the court to carry out an investigation and we expect that that investigation will be done and should be done. And we are once again reminding him that there is a deadline that we believe he should meet.”

Reporter

“How do you feel about the very strong words that the Chief Justice against the ComPol for not initiating an investigation in to Elvin Penner?”

Dean Barrow, Prime Minister

Dean Barrow

“Well I think you would have to talk to the commissioner about that. I’m not going to comment on that.”

Reporter

“Are you keeping a pace of the investigation, anything such as that?”

Dean Barrow

“Not at all sir, that’s not my business, the commissioner has his responsibility. He obviously is complying with the order of the court. How that is developing is a matter for him .”

This afternoon Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie issued a letter of response, stating quote – “kindly be assured that based on the Hon. Chief Justice’s rulings of March third, 2014, a criminal investigation was launched by the Belize Police Department. The findings of the investigations have since been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for her review, advice and instructions.” end quote. Sounds good, but late this evening we spoke to Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal. She stated categorically that she has received no file for review, advice and instructions. The DPP clarified that she met with investigators on Thursday, and at her specific request, received copies of some of the statements taken…but at no time was she given any file, and as far as she is aware the investigation is not done. Vidal was furious at the ComPol’s inference that she has a file and the matter is in her hands, and says nothing is further from the truth.

Elvin Penner

There is much to report in the news from inside and outside the national assembly, but first we turn tonight to former Minister of State Elvin Penner. News Five has confirmed that the Police Department has conducted a criminal investigation, following instruction by the Supreme Court. We have been unable to get any information on what has come out of that investigation. And we have also been unable to confirm very credible reports that a warrant was issued for Elvin Penner’s arrest at one this afternoon. A highly placed source told us that Police went looking for Penner for processing and arraignment in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court, but were unable to locate him. Like we said, there is no official confirmation…but two independent sources have provided identical information.

Colonially oriented historians have asserted that the Maya had left the area long before the arrival of British settlers. But many Maya were still in Belize when the Europeans came in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Archaeological and ethno historical research confirms that several groups of Mayan peoples lived in the area now known as Belize in the sixteenth century. The political geography of that period does not coincide with present-day boundaries, so several Mayan provinces lay across the frontiers of modern Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala. The Mayan province of Chetumal, for example, consisted of the northern part of present day Belize and the southern coast of the Mexican state Quintana Roo.

In the south, spreading west over the present-day frontier between Belize and Guatemala, were the Mopán Maya, and still farther south, the Chol-speaking Manche groups. In central Belize lay the province of Dzuluinicob, meaning "land of foreigners" or "foreign people." This province stretched from New River in the north to Sittee River in the south, and from close to the present day Guatemalan border in the west to the sea. The apparent political center of this province was Tipu, located east of modern Benque Viejo del Carmen.

Lamanai, several towns on New River and on Belize River, and Xibún on Sibun River, were included in this province.

Christopher Columbus traveled to the Gulf of Honduras during his fourth voyage in 1502. A few years later, two of his navigators, Martín Pinzón and Juan De Solís, sailed northward along the coast of Belize to Yucatán. In 1519 Hernán Cortés conquered Mexico, and Pedro Arias Dávila founded Panama City. Spain soon sent expeditions to Guatemala and Honduras, and the conquest of Yucatán began in 1527. When Cortés passed through the southwestern corner of present-day Belize in 1525, there were settlements of Chol speaking Manche in that area. When the Spanish "pacified" the region in the seventeenth century, they forcibly displaced these settlements to the Guatemalan highlands. The Spanish launched their main incursions into the area from Yucatán, however, and encountered stiff resistance from the Mayan provinces of Chetumal and Dzuluinicob. The region became a place of refuge from the Spanish invasion, but the escaping Maya brought with them diseases that they had contracted from the Spanish. Subsequent epidemics of smallpox and yellow fever, along with endemic malaria, devastated the indigenous population and weakened its ability to resist conquest.

In the seventeenth century, Spanish missionaries from Yucatán traveled up New River and established churches in Mayan settlements with the intention of converting and controlling these people. One such settlement was Tipu, which was excavated in the 1980s. People occupied the site during preclassic, classic, and post classic times, and through the conquest period until 1707. Though conquered by the Spanish in 1544, Tipu was too far from the colonial centers of power to be effectively controlled for long. Thousands of Maya fled south from Yucatán in the second half of the sixteenth century, and the people of Tipu rebelled against Spanish authority. Although Tipu was too far south for the Spanish of Yucatán to control, it was apparently too important to ignore because of its proximity to the Itzá of the Lago Petén Itzá region of present-day Guatemala. In 1618 and 1619, two Franciscans, attempting to convert the people built a church in Tipu. In 1638 a period of resistance began in Tipu, and by 1642, the entire province of Dzuluinicob was in a state of rebellion. The Maya abandoned eight towns at this time, and some 300 families relocated in Tipu, the center of rebellion. In the 1640s, Tipu's population totaled more than 1,000.

Piracy along the coast increased during this period. In 1642, and again in 1648, pirates sacked Salamanca de Bacalar, the seat of Spanish government in southern Yucatán. The abandonment of Bacalar ended Spanish control over the Mayan provinces of Chetumal and Dzuluinicob.

Between 1638 and 1695, the Maya living in the area of Tipu enjoyed autonomy from Spanish rule. But in 1696, Spanish soldiers used Tipu as a base from which they pacified the area and supported missionary activities. In 1697 the Spanish conquered the Itzá, and in 1707, the Spanish forcibly resettled the inhabitants of Tipu to the area near Lago Petén Itzá. The political center of the Mayan province of Dzuluinicob ceased to exist at the time that British colonists were becoming increasingly interested in settling the area.

Source: Library Of Congress Belize Country Study

Director of Tourism Laura Esquivel-Frampton is resigning from the BTB. She packed up her possessions at the office today - and is not expected back. It's a dramatic development in this major industry - and as we understand it, hers is not a happy departure. Through she is resigning, best information tells us that she was pushed out of the job in what can only be called a "palace coup" orchestrated by her executive management team which lodged a dramatic vote of no confidence in a letter to the minister last week.

The letter points to what they say is a lack of leadership, and poor fiscal management that led them to put forward a no confidence vote. The letter tells Minister Manuel Herredia, that, quote, ""we firmly believe that the organization and industry deserves a leader who leads." It warns him that quote, "if decisive action is not taken at this time, it will lead to an even worse position," end quote.

It seems things came to a head as a part of the BTB's ongoing budget exercise in which Esquivel-Frampton had proposed budget cuts which the management team says will, quote, "surely work to contract an industry that employs one in four Belizeans directly," end quote.

The letter is signed by 7 managers who form the executive management team. After this unprecedented letter one week ago, we understand, Esquivel-Frampton was informed that she'd have to leave.

It's big news because, first, tourism is the country's leading foreign exchange earner and Esquivel Frampton becomes the third director to demit office in just 6 years. She assumed office 22 months ago in May 2012, replacing her predecessor Seleni Matus who resigned after 19 months.

Matus resigned because of the push and pull with then CEO Lindsey Garbutt, and from what we have been able to gather from sources, much the same happened here between Esquivel Frampton and the current CEO Tracy Taegar-Panton. Multiple sources tell us the two had major and ongoing differences - which did carry over to senior management.

And to make matters worse, this year there's a deficit - and it's into the millions of dollars - which- we are told - is being put at the door of Esquivel Frampton.

And whoever's to blame for going so deep into the red, the fact is that the picture painted in the public sector leadership of tourism industry, is that while numbers continue to improve, since 2008, the Board has gone through three chairmen and is looking for a fourth, the third director just resigned like the two that preceded her, and the Ministry is on its third CEO. All this in an industry - that, because of its central role in the economy and national life - should be the model of institutional stability.

But, all that aside, the news really is that Laura Esquivel, the eldest daughter of Sir Manuel Esquivel, UDP party leader for 18 years, and two-term Prime Minister has basically been pushed out of office under a UDP administration, and no one can save her. In their letter, the managers counsel Minister Heredia, quote, "we are fully conscious of the political ramifications...and we are fully prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder...to ensure a process that will have the least impact in your position.."

We are told that Esquivel is currently negotiating her departure package but that nothing has been finalized at this stage.

Political connections and lucrative appointments – that’s always been commonplace in Belize, almost as traditional as rice and beans. But that doesn’t make the pill any easier to swallow. Today, the Ministry of Health is in hot water after the announcement of a new Director of Drug Inspectorate, who just happens to be the daughter of U.D.P. Minister Erwin Contreras. That in itself isn’t necessarily big news, but the Pharmacists’ Association of Belize is fired up at M.O.H. because they claim the new director is completely under-qualified and proper appointment guidelines were ignored. To add insult to injury, the Association only learned about the appointment last week through the media. Mike Rudon has the story.   

Mike Rudon, Reporting

The Pharmacists Association of Belize has issued a fiery release accusing the Ministry of Health of making a mockery of their profession. The problem is the new Director of Drug Inspectorate, responsible for monitoring pharmacists, suppliers and controlled drugs to ensure that all is in order, and all are in compliance with the laws of Belize. They say the new Director, Danini Contreras, is not qualified for the post.

Hortence Humes

Hortence Humes, President, Pharmacists’ Association of Belize

“To be a drug inspector you have to be a registered pharmacist, have five years working experience, specialized training in drug inspection and an Associate’s or a diploma in pharmacy.”

Reporter

“So where are those standards from?”

Hortence Humes

“When the post was created those were the qualifications that were required of a drug inspector.”

Danini Contreras

Reporter

“And Ms. Contreras does not have those qualifications?”

Hortence Humes

“She’s not a registered pharmacist. We know that she has a Bachelor’s in Science and in Chemical Pharmaceuticals…”

Reporter

“So what should she have? Why are you saying she is not qualified for this post? Just because she is not registered as a pharmacist..?”

Hortence Humes

“The drug inspector also has to be familiar with the pharmacy structure of the country and with no working experience, not knowing what is happening in the industry in the country, we feel that she is not qualified to be that.”

The Association is not upset at the creation of the post, and in fact have advocated for that post and the strengthening of laws to give that department teeth. But they are concerned at the lack of proper process behind the appointment, complicated by the political connections.

Marisol Melhado

Marisol Melhado, Vice President, Pharmacists’ Association of Belize

“This person not being qualified…there’s a way around that. The person can get training…fine. But the fact that the person has no working experience and has no knowledge of the status quo of Belize in terms of what is actually happening…the fact that the person is very politically tied gives us that sense of what are you going to actually be looking at…are you going to be subjected to just looking at what you need to look at, or at everything. And that’s where it hurts us to think that it might just be a person that is groomed to be a rubber stamp. That’s not our intention by any means.”

The Association is angry because there are qualified and registered pharmacists who have been bypassed by what they call the back-door and under the radar appointment of Contreras.

Hortence Humes

“We have our schools of pharmacy and we have been graduating pharmacy students every year, and they have been getting their licenses to be registered pharmacists. At the moment we have pharmacists out there who are qualified and cannot find a job. They are working at Ready Call and these are pharmacists…qualified, registered pharmacists and cannot find a job and we have been advocating for posts to be created within the Ministry because there is the need for a drug inspector and a director of the drug inspectorate…that is a whole new need within the Ministry of Health and we have been advocating for that. So to say that there aren’t qualified persons there…I don’t believe that.”

Marisol Melhado

“We have set our demands to rectify the situation. Even if there is a progress in sessions on how to rectify it we are willing to discuss this. But we want for the Ministry of Health to recognize the profession first of all and know that whenever you do things there are consequences to them and we are prepared to go all the way.”

As we told you, the Association only learned of the creation of the post and the appointment of Contreras through a report in the news last week. Mike Rudon for News Five.

Manuel Heredia Jr.

Since being appointed the portfolio of Minister of Tourism in 2008, the posts of Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tourism have been revolving doors in Heredia’s ministry.  Current C.E.O. Tracy Panton is also former Director of Tourism.  During her term in office, Mike Singh was C.E.O. in the ministry.  Panton served in that capacity for ten years before being replaced by Seleni Matus in February 2010.  When Matus succeeded Panton, Lindsay Garbutt was appointed second in command of the ministry.  Their relationship, we understand, was rather contentious. Following general elections in March 2012, Panton was elevated to C.E.O. and Esquivel-Frampton promoted to Director of Tourism two months later. In the wake of Esquivel-Frampton’s sudden departure, Director of Revenue Collections and Registrar of Hotels Javier Paredez will serve as Interim Director.

Isani Cayetano

“This is the third director being changed over at the B.T.B. within a specific period of time.  Does this raise any concern for you given the fact that tourism is one of the primary industries driving the Belizean economy?”

Via Phone: Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism

“Well, you know, all that I can say on that [is that] I will totally agree with you.  This is my third director and my third C.E.O., but I believe that I have a job to do and at the end of the day if I feel or the director feels that it’s in her best to do that or if I feel that it is in my best interest and the industry to have another one then I will continue to do so.”

Isani Cayetano

“How quickly, or are you guys already looking at a replacement for Mrs. Esquivel-Frampton as the Director of Tourism?”

Via Phone: Manuel Heredia Jr.

“I never rush things and at this point I have decided to recommend Mr. Javier Paredes, who I think you’re supposed to be very well acquainted with, to hold over as acting director.  He did it when Seleni left and I asked him to do so at this point with the assistance of Ms. Karen Pike as the deputy director.  I always believe in doing things a day at a time, plan it, execute it, that is what I continue to do because to me the tourism industry is something vital to Belize and I have been assigned by my prime minister to do a job and I always believe in doing my job as well as possible and I like to surround myself by very technical people that will give me good guidance.  But at the end of the day you do a job, nothing is perfect in this world, there is not a perfect administration, not a perfect institution but to me if I can do it as best as possible then that is what I will do and I think that the record in my ministry speaks for itself, you know, it is one of the best ever in the history of this country.  My relationship with the stakeholders is second to no other minister that has ever… with the other partners [it’s] the same thing, I get along with almost everybody in this industry and around the country.”

All be told, B.T.B. is now looking for its fourth director of tourism in a span of six years.

Laura Esquivel-Frampton

Director of Tourism Laura Esquivel-Frampton has officially demitted office, following a two-year stint as head of the Belize Tourism Board.  Her resignation from the post was formally confirmed via press release earlier today because on Wednesday night, we told you that she was on her way out from the lucrative job.  Esquivel-Frampton’s tenure has been mired in controversy. Last week, a letter was sent to Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia signed by seven members of B.T.B.’s executive management team.  Contained in that document are a number of issues pertaining to her management style which are described as both manipulative and egotistical. While Heredia says the letter never made it to his desk, he admitted to being aware of the problems and that he had met with both parties on separate occasions to address their discontent. B.T.B.’s G-Seven blasted her for failure to display the necessary leadership, honesty, transparency and integrity during the budget process.  The sharp criticism has raised concerns of financial mismanagement and acute cash flow issues. But the release sent out today by the B.T.B. says Esquivel-Frampton resigned for personal reasons and she was credited for bringing her business acumen from the financial and marketing sectors to the organization. The minister spoke today to News Five of the turmoil at the oversight body for one of the biggest industries in the country.

Via Phone: Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism

“I met with heads [of department] and I met with the director and at the end of the day  the director had something better that was offered and decided that she would rather go and tender her resignation and find a better environment to work and I have accepted the resignation.  There is at no time is there anything that could be said that the director misused the funds of B.T.B. while she was there.  I think you all know that B.T.B. is an institution that has excelled and has made this industry grow a lot and I have nothing but to appreciate what the director has done, in particular and personally I wish her the best in her new endeavor and whatever I can do to help her now or in the future I am more than willing to do so.”

Manuel Heredia Jr.

Isani Cayetano

“Minister were you in receipt of the letter that was presented or put together by the group of seven heads of department at B.T.B.?”

Via Phone: Manuel Heredia Jr.

“I will be very honest, I do not know of any such letter.  If there is a letter that I understand that was in the media that is news to me.  Everything that was done was verbal so all that I can say is that if the media has a hold of something like that it might be mischief on the part of someone.  But I am not aware of anything like that and the content of that letter.  Like I said, I barely have time to watch the news so ninety-nine percent of the time I will not see the news because I have things [that are] more important to do that has to deal with the ministries.  I think you know I have three ministries and I am one of those ministers that like to be on top of my ministry.  Whenever there are problems I like to address it as soon as possible with the least possible consequence, you know, and I think I manage to do that quite well.”

Herman Longsworth

City councilor Phillip Willoughby has tossed his Superman hat into the political ring, where he will be challenging area representative Herman Longsworth in the Albert Division.  While Willoughby’s announcement came as somewhat of a surprise, he was initially met with opposition by Longsworth, particularly when he ventured into Conch Shell Bay last Wednesday with Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley and Lands Commissioner Wilbert Vallejos in tow.  Despite CitCo’s initiative to restore the downtrodden area, Longsworth says there is no enmity within the United Democratic Party, particularly between himself and Councilor Willoughby. 

Herman Longsworth, Minister of State with Responsibility for Sports

“There are no contentions as such.  Mr. Willoughby has a right like every U.D.P. to decide to contest the Albert Constituency.  He has that right and there is no quarrel between the minister and myself.  There is no contention between us.  There was simply something that concerned me that I felt I needed to make public.  There is no argument between us and that is a fact, okay.  So there is no quarrel going on between us, it’s simply that I felt that it was too much of a coincidence that what transpired, transpired and so I felt I needed to say it publicly so that the people of Conch Shell Bay could know that I was trying to do what they asked me to do and I came up against some difficulties, you know.”

Isani Cayetano

“The Berger Field is also within your constituency and to recall a couple years ago there was a groundbreaking ceremony and everything but since then it has remained at a standstill.  What is the update on that since it is within the Conch Shell Bay area as well?”

Herman Longsworth

“It is going to happen, and it is going to happen.  What kind of delayed everything is that I initially had a plan, had some money to do it but I had the opportunity to sit with the F.F.B. and with a representative from FIFA at the time and they expressed interest in developing a bigger plan for Berger Field, something that I felt would impact far more on the community and so I agreed to wait and see where that would go.  FIFA had another representative in just last week and we sat down and we agreed in principle now to exactly what it is.  The architects at Anthony Thurton and Associates are at this time developing the drawings, working on the drawings for us.”

Ground was broken for the new Berger Field in November 2012.

Since its groundbreaking in August 2009, the Marion Jones Sporting Complex has been slow to become a reality.  In fact, construction began on enclosing the perimeter before work could commence on the building of bleachers and other features of the multimillion dollar facility.  It’s been over four and a half years and the stadium is slowly inching towards completion.  But, there is a bit of good news coming out of the Ministry of Sports.  This afternoon, Minister of State Herman Longsworth met with Mexican officials to discuss the expansion of the project.  They have agreed to provide FIFA-certified lighting for a football field on the compound, as well as the construction of an indoor sporting facility.  While the addition will further delay the deadline of the project, Longsworth says that the stadium will be partially opened to the public by Easter, in time to host the conclusion of the upcoming Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. 

Herman Longsworth

Herman Longsworth, Minister of State with Responsibility for Sports

“The Mexicans had come to Belize and they had agreed that they were going to be a part of the Marion Jones Project.  They had some money [but] they weren’t fully cognizant of what all they could have done.  They came to see what it is we have planned and now they have come back with plans of their own to show us what they can give us.  They’re going to give us an indoor facility, a building that will be primarily for volleyball but is going to be able to house things like basketball and all indoor stuff: table tennis, boxing, karate, that sort of thing.  So they’ve agreed to give us that and they have agreed to provide the lighting, the FIFA standard lighting for the football field at Marion Jones.  So that was the discussion today.  They came, they presented to us a plan, a proposal for what they want to come and do.  I agreed, I agreed immediately to it and so they are now going back to start to develop the process to make it happen, you know.”

Isani Cayetano

“In terms of a completion date and of course the installation of these specific lightings and all these other amenities, what are we looking at?”

Herman Longsworth

“Well in terms of what we are committed to doing, I believe we should see a completion of about sometime late 2015, sometime late 2015.  In terms of what we are doing now, we, I am confident that we will have the facility ready for Cross Country, in terms of the public portion of it.  We hope that we, we still don’t have the money to do all the work that is there to do but I’m hoping that we will find some more monies and we will be able, if we get those monies anytime soon we should, within another eight or ten months, be able to have the majority of what we had originally planned completed.  But certainly we should be able by Easter to be able to have the Cross Country finishing there and have it opened to the public, you know.”

The Prime Minister announced that a big slice of the 2014/2015 Budget will be spent on personal emoluments; that’s three hundred and thirty two million dollars. Teachers and public officers will be getting five percent in salary adjustments and two percent in increments. Barrow made that announcement inside the house, but outside the teachers held a peaceful demonstration on national issues. But they also want more than a verbal commitment; they want it in writing. Mike Rudon has that story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

This morning hundreds of teachers marched down the Ring Road in Belmopan. With customary enthusiasm and what has become a trademark targeting of PM Dean Barrow and Minister Patrick Faber, these unionists from all ten branches of the BNTU wanted to ensure that their message is not misunderstood. In his Budget presentation today the PM made a commitment of a minimum of five percent salary adjustment. But the teachers seem less than trusting of his word.

Adelaida Guerra, Vice President, BNTU

Adelaida Guerra

“We have not received any writing about the salary adjustment. We have heard our Prime Minister’s saying five percent, but as part of the negotiating team we have nothing in writing. So we are asking—our members are asking for the written form because we noh want that in a week time or whatever, it changes. So that’s one of the things, and then we still have our social issues pending that we are still fighting for. Teachers are standing for that for our country.”

While the matter of the House proceeded without interruption, outside the House almost one thousand teachers gathered on Independence Hill with placards and determination. To be truthful it was expected that a larger percentage of the BNTU’s almost six thousand strong would be in attendance. But that could have something to do with the announcement by Patrick Faber that teachers who attended would be docked three days pay.

Reporter

“What kind of numbers are you all looking at today?”

Luke Palacio

Luke Palacio, BNTU National President

“We are not looking at numbers. What we do know that we have the ten branches of the B.N.T.U. out here, and you can see they are out here in large numbers despite the attempt of intimidation by the Minister of Education. We’ve said it before and we’re saying it again—our teachers are fully well aware that when they take industrial action, their salary may be withheld. It doesn’t say ‘shall’. It says may be withheld and that is what we’re about. Again we’ve said it, Saturday and Sunday are a none school day and we’re hoping that those managements and the Ministry of Education in particular will not try to penalize our teachers by taking out of their salaries on Saturday and Sunday as they have been purported to be—to be—attempting to do.”

Adelaida Guerra

“I know that he has mentioned that but in our rules it says that we could get deducted the Saturday and the Sunday if we are missing on Monday, but as you know, Monday is a holiday. So I noh see how that will work, but we are out here because we believe in what we are fighting for.”

Luke Palacio, BNTU National President

“We don’t want to waste our time answering that but obviously this has nothing to do with politics but that is what politicians do. They practice politics so everything for them is politics. As far as we are concerned, this is a movement that is legally established in this country since 1970 and we continue to do what we need to do for our people of Belize.”

Prime Minister Barrow has stated that twenty-two million has been allocated which represents a five percent salary adjustment.

Luke Palacio

“We have a formula that we’re working that they proposed. If they formula is showing that there is—that there—the amount that is going to be given to the raise is twenty-two million, that is fifty percent of what was raised. So it is not the teachers demanding more. We’re saying that there is a formula that we are working and we’re going to adhere to that to see how it works out. We had requested initially as a counter-proposal, a bottom, flooring for the adjustment. The Prime Minister has not agreed. We still have that as an issue that we will negotiate, but it is not—I don’t want you or public to go with the idea that we are asking for more than what—what they are proposing at this stage. That is what the figures are showing—that they—that the formula will allow us to get.”

The salary adjustment issue is high on the priority list, but as we heard today, teachers also want to rein in corruption, and tops on their list is former Minister of State Elvin Penner behind bars.

[Nat Sound]

Luke Palacio

“You will recall the B.N.T.U. was one of the first organizations that put out a press release that we are not going to settle down until justice is brought. If Penner is found guilty then justice must be served because if it were an ordinary citizen that would have happened a long time ago so we stand with anybody ensuring that justice is done. If he is found not guilty that’s fine but let us not have anybody believe that they are above the law.”

Teachers were extremely vocal, energized, determined and unhappy for the entire duration of the House proceedings, which ended at just before two this afternoon. Mike Rudon reporting for News Five.

In the beginning there was one government….it taxed the people and provided services based on those taxes….through its various line ministries.

Then….the public sector entrepreneurs started special-interest projects….with the guise of improved services through better management….with “cost-recovery” mechanisms….replicating all kinds of quasi-government statutory bodies out of these projects…most with special “laws” that these bodies would write for themselves…with their built-in authority/right to “tax”….but without the fiduciary responsibility to account for those “extra-budgetary” revenues. The line of authority still ended with the Minister under whose portfolio the statutory body fell….so the MINISTER ruled in the CENTRAL GOVERNMENT…..and the NOT-SO-CENTRAL GOVERNMENT….he became a king with two fiefdoms.

So it was….that the politicians built….a house for themselves and their favorites….outside of the house where the voting public has a direct say.

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is one of those houses. The Minister of Tourism is at the head of the line of authority….it has a Board of Directors that is appointed by the political directorate of the day, but which is mostly rubber-stamp….and it has its own law that gives it authority/rights to collect taxes and license fees…. with its own “tax-collectors “….among them, the Hotel Tax….which is many millions of dollars in revenues each year. Every year, it hosts a gala event to present an Annual Report, which mostly focuses on arrival statistics and some of the superficial activities undertaken during the year….its detailed “audited” financials are under lock and key….but in closing, there is a big party with enough free expensive wine and liquor to celebrate the “achievements”….not of the BTB….but of the “industry”. Of late, we have heard of ramblings and “resignations” from high offices…but no one in Belize, in their right mind, expects any investigation or corrective measures. The government outside the government remains intact. The BTB is to do all what a Ministry of Tourism is to do….but we now have to pay for the BTB….and for a separate Ministry of Tourism. One has to wonder what does the Ministry of Tourism do?

Since Independence, Belize politicians have created a plethora of these statutory bodies and public corporations…..BTL, BEL, BWSL, DFC, BSSB, PACT, BIL, NICH, Free Zone Management Authority, Export Processing Zones Board, BELTRAIDE, Coastal Zone Management Authority, Belize Agricultural Health Authority, Central Building Authority, Solid Waste Management Authority, Trade License Board, IMMARBE, Belize Intellectual Property (BELIPO), International Business Companies Registry, International Insurance Services Authority, KOLBE prison, Border Management Authority, Belize Port Authority, Belize Airports Authority, Belize Transport Authority, NEMO, NEAC, Belize Marketing and Development Corporation, Land Management Authority….and the list goes on….all of them with their own self-written law which gives them authority/right to charge fees for their “services”….and to modify those fees if and when they see it fit. Most of them have a Board of Directors made up from political appointments and persons directly invested in the specific sector….with “management teams” that have become a part of the furniture by perfecting the 6:30 dance….they call it self-policing.

Together, this government outside of government collects and controls as much money as does the Central Government of Belize…..but this is not reflected in your Annual National Budget….nor is there any requirement for timely annual publication of their detailed audited financial reports.

With this parallel government operating and budgeted for…..most of them still receiving substantial “subventions” from the public coffers as part of their “revenues”…..one has to wonder what is left for the Central Government of Belize to do? But each line ministry still add “increments” to their budgets each year….

As this top-heavy reality has grown out of proportion…..so has the competitiveness and productivity of the Belize economy declined….raising the cost-of-doing-business to astronomical levels….reducing the chances for turning an honest profit from an investment….and creating the enabling environment for corruption to systematically spread horizontally and vertically….across the public and private sectors. Belize now boasts its status as one of the toughest places to do honest business in the world.

The construction of this second government….is the principal contributor to the touted growth of Belize’s SERVICES ECONOMY….which I dare say is false….with an ever shrinking PRODUCTIVE SECTOR. Many of these “statutory bodies” need to be re-absorbed back into the line ministries, with a major reduction in cost of providing those services by reducing the fees and including them in national budgets. Some of them can be kept, but they must be required, like private corporations, to publish their detailed audited financial statements…their legal ability and methodology for modifying fees revamped…and their management structure, line-of-authority, performance appraisal and rewards and punishment made more transparent and accountable.

Services are built around production systems…..not production systems around services…and their cost-benefit to production systems should be enhancing….not like a ball and chain.

We have banks, insurance companies, shipping and port services, utilities, transportation services, etc…..because we have sugar, citrus, banana, marine, papaya and other production….not the other way around.

There are those “leaders” among us who think that Belize, with its low level of technology and innovation capacity and capability, can depend on sustainable growth of services businesses alone to provide a decent standard of living for its people….and thus they pander to those interests diametrically opposed to the fomentation and growth of the productive sector in Belize.

This is what has lead us to casino one-arm bandits…internet gambling….paper Trojans IBC’s and “Trusts” and “asset protection” gurus…”free zones”, “export processing zones”, and money laundering, drug peddling….MegaBingo, Fantasy 5, Lucky 3, Lottery, Boledo…an NGO representing foreign interests around every corner…more “real estate agents” than nurses and doctors….trading and flying the Belize flag on ships for convenience….persons trading and carrying the Belize passport, permanent residence and visas for convenience and human trafficking.…and the busiest streets lined with cover-up “front” businesses….fake, fake, fake robust and growing “SERVICES ECONOMY”.

-- Richard Harrison

A search and rescue operation ended successfully for a group of men who were lost at sea for almost eleven hours. Included in the group was Southern Regional Commander, Robert Mariano and a thirteen year old boy. The group set out to fish on Sunday off the coast of Dangriga, but their vessel capsized and they drifted further away. One of the men daringly swam back to shore to alert authorities and in the wee hours of this morning, they were rescued. The ordeal has left the group traumatized. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has a first-hand account of what happened at sea.

Michael Codrington, Survivor, Lost at Sea

“We kissed the ground because you know when you’re out floating in the sea for eleven hours plus, your mind plays tricks on you, you know.  There were people that were hallucinating.  There were people that were thinking things were in the water that weren’t.”

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Michael Codrington

The traumatic experience of remaining partially submerged in choppy water for almost eleven hours, clinging to a capsized vessel for dear life, won’t soon be lost on a group of friends who set out for a Sunday of angling off the coast of Dangriga.  The expedition was returning to town from spending the afternoon near Coco Plum Caye when they encountered a turbulent sea state.  Michael Codrington, visiting with friends and family in Belize, was on the fishing trip.

Michael Codrington

“We hit a rogue wave, you know, that wave.  The sea wasn’t really that rough out there but the wave kind of hit at an angle that just pushed us over and it was five or six of us, and we ended up having, you know, when I came up from under the water, you know, one person was all the way down the other end and another person was on the other side of the boat, another person was all the way out and we all just swam for the boat and we made it to the boat.  I mean, I had my son he’s thirteen, I grabbed him, he was able to miraculously get a life jacket on, I don’t know how but when I saw him I grabbed him and threw him on top of the boat.”

…and that’s where the minor would stay for the entirety of the frightening ordeal; his diminutive body bearing the scrapes and scratches of prolonged exposure to fiberglass.

Michael Codrington

“There was another gentleman, he could not swim and he had a life jacket on.  All the other life jackets for some reason came off of us.  They floated away.  Everything just flew out of the boat, I mean there was no way we could [get to them].  The current was so strong it was just taking everything, you know.  We made bailers out of gas cans, we cut gas cans.  I usually have a knife, the knife, some kind of way, dislodged from my pants and I mean I just went into survival mode and I started cutting pants.  A gentleman had a backpack and we started, I started cutting the straps of the backpacks and hooking it on a hinge that was on the boat so we could hold on because I knew that we weren’t going to get rescued before nightfall.”

Adrift for several hours without contact with other vessels in the area, the group was lost at sea.  Geographically speaking, Coco Plum Caye is located eight miles off the coast of Dangriga.  One of the men, a seasoned fisherman, was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He made a bold attempt at swimming towards mainland in an effort to notify authorities.

Michael Codrington

“We just decided to stick together and hold on.  It started to get dark and the guy said that he could swim and he could make it and because we had two life vests we decided to take a chance and gave him one of the two life vests.  The gentleman was kind enough to give him a life vest who could not swim and he still took off his life vest and gave it to the gentleman to try to help because we saw boats in the area, they just couldn’t see us.  Debris was in the water all over the place, gas, oil, it was in everybody’s eyes.  It was on everybody’s skin.  We had probably two or three five-gallon drums with gas in them and they just flew everywhere.  So we gave the guy the life vest and he swam like a mad man.”

Robert Mariano

While other members of the party have opted to remain anonymous, News Five understands that among them was Southern Regional Commander Robert Mariano.  The career police officer wasn’t available for interview.  According to his colleagues at the local precinct, police and coastguard assets were deployed into the area in a massive search and rescue effort.

Michael Codrington

“My wife actually went out and started to ask people who own boats to just please, you know, and I think it might have been five or six boats, you know.  We started to see lights but by that time the current had already brought us in close to Mr. Thomas’ residence by Sue Beach and we were testing for shallow, seeing how deep we were because, you know, a lot of us were getting tired.  My son was getting very hungry and we were sticking together to try to paddle and push towards land and ten hours later we started seeing a beach and we started to just pray… and we did a lot of praying, a lot of praying and then I think that’s what kept us strong, you know.  God Almighty was there.  It seemed like that moonlight followed us, it was a full moon last night and everywhere we were that moon was right above and it acted like a light and it was just as bright as the sun and we were able to see everything like it was broad daylight.”

Fortunately, the men were later rescued not far from here, an area in town known as Sue Beach. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.