Belize Times January 29, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

29 JANUARY 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5029

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

UDP TIEF DI ELECTION!!!

FORMER IMMIGRATION DIRECTOR DROPS BOMBSHELL Wednesday, 25 January 2017 Late this evening, former Director of Immigration Ruth Meighan admitted after hours of questioning that UDP Ministers were involved in electoral and Immigration fraud. That startling revelation came under examination by PUP Senator Eamon Courtenay in the final minutes of Meighan’s testimony before the Senate Special Select Committee investigating the corruption in the Immigration Department under the UDP. Courtenay first clarified that Meighan was

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UDP TIEF DI ELECTION!!!

Continued from page 1 Director of Immigration in 2012 before the general election. He then stated, “Are you aware that there was an unusual amount of persons who got nationality shortly before that general election?” To which Meighan replied YES. Courtenay then asked, “Are you aware that Ministers were heavily involved in speeding up the processing of nationality for many individuals in the run up to that election?” Meighan replied that, “I am aware that the Ministers were trying to get people processed for nationality during that period.”

Meighan continued under questioning to admit that those files were processed on an expedited basis, revealing that “the department did process a lot of applications that would have taken a little bit longer during that period.”

And then Meighan dropped the bombshell, after Courtenay asked, “And you’re aware that the purpose for that was in order for these persons to be registered to vote.” To which she replied, “I believe that was the reason why.”

But it got worse, as Meighan revealed that the Department wasn’t only expediting applications for nationality, but was processing documents for persons who did not fit the requirements…in other words fraudulent documents.

Courtenay questioned, “Are you aware that quite a number of those persons who got nationality... their files were incomplete?

Meighan replied, “That’s what I noted from the report YES.” Courtenay continued, “Those persons whose files were not complete did not qualify at that time to get Belizean nationality?”

Meighan replied, “Those persons did not qualify!” Courtenay continued, “You now know, Ms. Meighan, that many of them were fraudulently prepared.” A visibly shaken Meighan replied, “YES!” Courtenay pushed for clarification – “They did not qualify for nationality and obviously did not qualify to be registered to vote?”

And Meighan again clarified, “YES.” The testimony from Meighan certainly comes as no surprise to anyone who has been following the Immigration debacle. It has been clear that UDP Ministers for a long time have been interfering in the Immigration processes, facilitating documents for persons who did not qualify to receive their Visas, nationality documents or passports.

The revelations also make clear that the UDP acted deliberately to subvert and manipulate the election process in the 2012 elections for their own gain, a clear act of institutionalized electoral fraud. Late this evening Senator Courtenay told the Belize Times that, “former Director Ruth Meighan, in sworn testimony, confirmed that many persons were illegally granted nationality and voted in the 2012 election. This in my opinion is the clearest evidence of widespread UDP electoral fraud. They stole that election plain and simple.”

JOHNNY!

One year ago our Party set out a bold agenda to renew the confidence of all Belizeans in the People’s United Party, convinced that we are ready to lead and ready to win! Together with our hard working national executive and through the support of our Party Organs as well as constituency executives across the country, we spent 2016 building a stronger and more united PUP. We strengthened our Party at the grass roots level and remained true to our creed to serve the people. We also fulfilled our responsibility as a strong opposition and kept the government accountable for their actions, while building closer ties with civil soci-

ety and the general public.

We took our message across the country speaking with people in their neighbourhoods and communities, at public consultations, on radio, television and through social media where we invited everyone to join our movement so that together we can Build Belize. We also highlighted the many wrong doings of the government, from their mismanagement of the Belizean economy, to the many scandals showing the gross abuse of power and corruption that is taking place under this UDP Administration. Time and again we made the point that the UDP lacks the competence to

NO ANSWER TO CRIME – PM DEAF, DUMB & BLIND!

Wednesday, 25 January 2017 As we go to press, nine murders have been reported, eight of them in Belize City and eight of them as a result of bullet wounds. The families of Robert Gillett, Colin Sutherland, Kenneth Dobson, Randolph Johnson, Bert Abraham, Alexander Palacio, Salvador Marquez, Jaheem Mahler and Clinton Frazer are grieving their loved ones. The government’s answer, unfortunately, is no answer. This is the way it was nine years ago when the UDP took office. This is the way it is today nine years after.

The nine years under Dean Barrow has been the most murderous in Belize’s history, with over 1000 murders. This past weekend as shots again rang out across Belize City, the Prime Minister a.k.a. Crime Minister once again had nothing to say.

The only action by the Police Commissioner so far, certainly at the request of his political bosses, has been to gag the media and refuse to provide interviews on those murders. According to the clueless, lame duck Allen Whylie, the media is too sensational when reporting murders.

Maybe he believes that if the media stops reporting murders then there will be none.

The solution is brains and an involvement of the citizens, not alienating them with high handed and disrespectful police work. How many new investigators have been added to the Crime Investigation Branch? How many monitoring cameras have been installed across the trouble spots in the city and rest of the country?

Were it not for the vehicles donated by the USA, there would not even be basic, elementary police patrols as there were none for the past eight years.

Truth be told, the government is a total failure when it comes to solving the crime problem that has resulted in so much murder and loss of innocent lives. There has not even been a gun amnesty program. This is a basic program that is in place in many countries where monies are offered to persons who bring guns into a safe area (not police stations).

Murders in Belize have become the new norm but murders are unacceptable. Murders can be controlled. Murders can be effectively controlled and minimized. The never ending carnage can be stopped in its tracks.

Crime and murders are the symptoms of social and economic problems.

Tackle the root causes of crime and we will be on the way to solving the murder problem. Neglect is what is causing crime and there will be what has been the norm for the past nine years.

WEATHER

LOCAL 26 Jan

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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properly govern our nation. We also addressed the serious problems facing the country, making the case that under the UDP there is increasing poverty, growing unemployment, more crime, a broken down economy and an overall lack of confidence.

We stood in solidarity with our brave teachers in their Stand up for Belize campaign, and participated in other protest marches. We met with members of civil society and reached out to other groups and organizations seeking support for the teachers’ cause. We also held our massive Belize City rally to speak out against corruption. We kept up the pressure on the UDP resulting in a minister having to resign due to corruption scandals in the Ministry of Natural Resources and another being removed from his powerful Cabinet position as the Minister of National Security.

In addition to pointing out the incompetence of this UDP administration, we offered ideas and shared alternatives to fix some of these important problems, clearly showing Belizeans that the PUP is the best option for Belize and that we are ready to work for the betterment of our nation.

Over the course of this year, I have seen the desire in all of us to re-energize our Party and to build Belize. I am renewed by our excitement in the future of the PUP. Everywhere I go our friends and supporters are enthusiastic about our efforts to strengthen our Party and are eager to share their ideas on how to improve the lives of all our people.

We thank you for all the hard work and support for we know that our success depends on your involvement. This year will be one of increased action in our party and increased pressure on the UDP. Belizeans expect and deserve no less from the PUP for we are the only Party that can truly build a Belize that works for everyone.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

30 Jan

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo EDITOR

Mike Rudon

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte SCAN HERE

29 Jan

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31 Jan

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29 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

GOB DENIES DULY ELECTED 13TH SENATOR

Monday, January 23, 2017 Despite being duly elected on January 10th, 13th Senator elect, Osmany Salas did not partake in the first Senate meeting for 2017. Government officials refused to consider a direct request, via letter, from the NGO community to have their representative seated inside the National Assembly for the January 19th meeting. Officials held the position that an amendment to the NGO Act needed to be passed before the 13th Senator could be sworn in.

It therefore came as a surprise the morning of the meeting when at its very start, Lead Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay proposed an amendment to the motion that the Senate be adjourned at its rising that day to a future date to be set by the

President. Citing standing order 25 for which no notice is required, Courtenay called for an adjournment of the Senate that very morning to allow for Salas’ commencement order to take effect, as scheduled on January 20th, and then be able to participate in the debate of the bills brought across from the House, particularly the Referendum Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the NGO Act (Amendment) Bill 2016.

Courtenay’s proposed amendment was supported by Union and Civil Society Senator Elena Smith but the President held firm that the sitting would proceed citing the aforementioned government position. In the ensuing debate, United Democratic Party Senator Steven Duncan called the request “strange” then went on to emphatically assert that a 13th Senator does not decide and determine whether there is a Senate meeting as long as quorum is met. First-time UDP Senator and former House Speaker Michael Peyrefitte added, “We do not pause the business of the people to accommodate one person.”

Ignoring all the public statements from the NGO community on the evening news calling for the

Senate meeting to be postponed, Peyrefitte observed - “Not even they are clamouring to that extent. They are not protesting outside. They are not making any huge argument to come in here.” UDP Senator Aldo Salazar called the move out of order and tried to draw a parallel with the absence of the Union and Civil Society Senator after the departure of Senator Ray Davis. He stated, “There was no issue in proceeding without them. I really don’t see what is special about this circumstance.”

Opposition Senator Valerie Woods referred to the widely publicized timeline of the selection and appointment of the 13th senator. She said, “In December of 2016, with the knowledge of all of that, there was a notice sent out of a meeting of the Senate to be held one day before that commencement order takes place, in a year in which the unions…rallied and asked the Government to kindly put into effect what the people have been waiting for but more importantly, what this Government championed.”

With Senator Salazar having taken the position that the matter could not be properly exempted from notice, the President called for a temporary suspension. On resumption, the

President cited a standing order to note that the amendment would not be allowed and the Senators proceeded with the business of the day.

During the debate of the NGO Act (Amendment) Bill 2016, the Opposition opposed the amendment with Senator Courtenay citing it as confusing and ambiguous and certainly failing to prove that it was needed before Salas could be sworn in. For one, he noted, it made no reference to the 13th Senator but rather to NGO entities being entitled to represent the interests of an NGO. He then called for consultation of the NGO community before the amendment is passed so that they could make additional necessary recommendations for amendments.

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REASONS FOR GAPI TO RESIGN! #1 - $400,000 for his son Andre

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Andre Vega

BRING BACK OUR MONEY!

4 04

THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that he has decided to place his son Anwar as his successor when he steps down, rather than his sister who does all the work in the area?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please provide an update on the status of his disgraced former Deputy Gaspar Vega, since he had promised that some action would be forthcoming in the wake of the scandal coming out of the Ministry of Natural Resources?

Would the unelected Senator, failed politician and new Minister of Natural Resources please provide an update on the investigation started by her predecessor into the compensation scheme in the Ministry?

Would the unelected Senator, former Speaker and new Attorney-General please provide an update on the socalled attempt to get back the people’s money from Andre Vega and UDP attorney Sharon Pitts?

Would the Member for Belmopan, Minister of Defence and former William Danny Mason confidante please provide an update on his aspirations to be head of the UDP when his current political boss steps down this year?

Could he say how many Ministers in Cabinet have promised him their support?

Would the Member for Collet and Minister of Education explain how he plans to.

29 JAN

2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

JB… Have to take this opportunity to big up John Briceño, the man at the helm of the People’s United Party this past year. It’s been a year of serious challenges, no doubt, but this man from Orange Walk has managed to do big things and bring real unity. I can tell you dat JB ain’t no Dean Barrow. This is a man of the people who will do everything in his power to bring back the power to the people. You can take dat to the bank!

4G LiTE… Are you feeling the rush? Can you feel it? Wait for it… wait for it. What a frigging crock dreamed up by bocotora jr. Nobody’s feeling any damned rush! Imagine that after all the hoopla in December Barrow Telemedia Limited still offers the same old crappy service – just check out all the comments on Faasbook if you don’t believe. But dah we schupid! Bocotora Sr. told us that paying $557M for the third-rate company was a damned good deal and we should be happy to reach into our pockets. Can you hear me now?

Meanwhile Jun-Jun is laughing all the way to the bank. And here’s the thing! The boy-geniass paid one of his new foreign imports a $50,000 cash bonus in December and is sending two of his buddies on an all-expenses paid junket to Europe and India to source new talent for BTL. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. But hey…BTL is for us right? Cho man!

Tek Dat… The woman-beater couldn’t beat the teachers, so he decided that he wouldn’t pay them for the days they were on strike. That didn’t work out so well cause the Court told the boy-minister to go fly a kite. But where there’s a will there’s a way and the lil bembe is telling people that he still found a way to get even. See…teachers were once able to access free x-rays and certain other medical services from the KHMH and other medical facilities for free. And now…they can’t, thanks to the rum and pibil Minister. How petty is that fool? But hey…if there’s one thing he should be aware of is that karma is a real bitch. You got a lot to pay for boy!

Little boy blues…

You know what must be eating out at Patsy? He had his ascension to power all planned out but it ain’t never going to happen. Word is that there is already an all-out divide in Cabinet since a leader/PM is selected by a majority. Patrick certainly hasn’t made any new friends in Cabinet and with the news that the PM is ready to head quietly out to pasture the boy is in a real bind. Check out this scenario…DB says he’s out and calls a by-election in Queen Square. Anwar is anointed and wins. So suddenly there’s a new player in the mix. But don’t take your eyes off Mason’s bedroom-bully. He still wants a shot at the leadership real bad and has already been consolidating support. Then there’s another name being thrown into the mix. Remember that fellow who left politics then ‘mysteriously’ turned into Barrow’s best friend and now financial whiz. Interesting times ahead for the UDP! Brace…

There’s word coming out of the Ministry of Finance that the Social Security Board will soon be holding consultations. Don’t get excited just yet. They’re not planning to raise pension or benefits. Yeah right like that would happen. Actually we’ve been hearing that the plan is to raise contributions. That means YOU…working stiff out there will have to pay more to the SSB for the same shitty benefits and YOU, employers, will need to dig way deeper into your pockets for employee contributions. Ain’t life grand under this administration?

Wattup Carla?

I remember at a press conference last year we asked Carla if she would get things in order at the Ministry of Natural Resources where that scurvy Gapi Vega is concerned.

She winked and nodded. That was real cute, Carla, but you’ve been a lil quiet since. In fact, it’s been as quiet as a church in your new neck of the woods. Are you serious about fixing the mess in the Ministry or are you gonna be doing the waltz to piper Dean’s tune? The people want to know.

Good God Godwin!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. When this man opens his mouth to speak I want to vomit! I’m here listening to the Senate Inquiry and you know what I’m getting out of this? All the shit that was going on at the Ministry…all this corruption, all this lack of checks and balances, all this hustling was done while Godwin Hulse was Minister. In fact, in one testimony he was fingered as having known about Ministers interfering in the Immigration process. I’m thinking that some people should start looking in his direction. I mean he can’t be so frigging incompetent and blind that he allowed the rats to eat all the cheese in his house while he sat dozing in the corner. Or can he?

29 JAN

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

5 05

EDITORIAL

T

The Big Disconnect

his week a caller on one of the talk shows was explaining, matter of factly, that he has no electricity or potable water in his home in the South. He has to go searching for wells in the area to get water for his family. Another caller was explaining how hard it is for his family to make it because on a wage of $300 every two weeks it is practically impossible to get by. There were calls about children not being able to access education because there is no money.

There were calls about dire poverty and lack of access to infrastructure. Every single week there are calls expressing real frustration with so many things - from crime to hunger to deplorable healthcare to potholes and dilapidated infrastructure to unemployment to lack of basic services.

But in his New Year address the Prime Minister proudly spoke about 9 out of every 10 persons in Belize able to claim a better quality of life. Where exactly does this man live?

The other day, in Orange Walk, an elderly man died because when he went to the regional hospital there was no doctor available to attend to him. Last week a child went to the same hospital with what looked like a snake-bite, her entire body numb. She had to wait for hours to be treated.

There is talk about emergency services in Belmopan being cut back because the new allocation will not be enough to do what is needed. This week, again, a man claimed his brother who was involved in a terrible RTA may have lived if the ambulance they called for had arrived. It didn’t.

The truth is that without a doubt there are people who die because basic medical services are not available to them, or those services are delayed because there are scarce resources or no doctors. This isn’t political propaganda.

We’ve seen it happen repeatedly – horror stories. Yet whenever the Prime Minister or Minister of Health speaks about the state of health it is in glowing terms. Where exactly do these men live? Of course, we know that whenever the PM or any of his family members are ailing they are on the next plane out to seek medical attention elsewhere. Very few of us have access to those opportunities.

In every area of our society there is a very real disconnect between our political leaders and those who are not as privileged. It is as if they have lost all awareness of what is happening on our streets and in our communities. We know, because we are the ones who feel it, that we have been in an economic crisis for the longest time. We know, because we are already feeling it, that there is much worse to come. But it is as if, by virtue of their position, our political leaders are exempt from those hardships.

Truly the Prime Minister’s New Year message was scary in its lack of real substance and a total lack of comprehension. It was surreal. He spoke as if all is well and there is no need for concern because his government has led us superbly and will continue to lead us along the streets paved in gold. Mr. Barrow is really a special case.

The leader of the nation displayed that same ‘special’ quality in his approach to the bondholders who have rejected his offer, alluding in their terse response that it seems that Mr. Barrow just does not get it. He simply does not understand. See, Mr. Barrow is a naturally arrogant man.

It is who he is. That arrogance has been swollen by the fact, unassailable, that he has led the UDP to three consecutive terms in office, even if Petrocaribe-fuelled.

That arrogance is what led Mr. Barrow to believe that he could get the bondholders to accept whatever he had to offer just because he is a god among men. But the bondholders want no part of him. They already recognize that the PM is a consummate talker, exceptional where rhetorical flourishes are concerned, but unable to deliver the goods.

There will be very real repercussions for Belizeans coming from Mr. Barrow’s failure to convince bondholders that he has the ability to turn things around. It is a virtual certainty that the IMF will be a deal-breaker. It is a lose-lose situation. If the IMF comes in there will be retrenchment and higher taxes and austerity measures the likes of which we have never seen before. If there is no agreement with bondholders Belize will default on its coupon payment, with severe economic consequences at a time when we can least afford it.

To say that Mr. Barrow has lost it is not malicious political propaganda. It is a reality. In his absolute greed for political power and victory he has driven this nation and people to a precipice. In his absolute greed for political power and victory he has allowed his Ministers to do what they will with assets they should theoretically only be holding in trust for us.

We are in real trouble. But perhaps the most vicious irony is that Mr. Barrow, when he leaves office soon, will still be a very rich man, able to travel the world and live in luxury with his family with not a care for the carnage left behind. His Ministers, many of whom are now millionaires, will live lives of luxury with no care for the carnage left behind. Their family members and cronies, bloated from the public trough, will live lives of luxury with no thought for the carnage left behind.

Mr. Barrow’s disconnect has cost us plenty.

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29 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

HARRIS CHARGED IN CONCH SHELL BAY MURDER Tuesday, 24 January 2017 Belize City Police have already arrested and charged 23 year-old Henry Rudolph Harris for the murder of 44 year-old Clinton Frazer, aka “Hog”. Harris has been arraigned and remanded.

Clinton Frazer and his brother Michael became victims of a shooting on Sunday night, January 22, 2017, at just before 9:30. They were hanging out near the Conch Shell Bay Fish Market with several friends. Both men were not too far away from their family home in Conch Shell Bay area and so they may have thought that they were in safe territory.

That didn’t matter, however because 2 gunmen arrived on separate bicycles and opened fire on the group, injuring both brothers.

Clinton Frazer suffered a gunshot to the back, while Michael was injured in the right leg. Both men were transported to the KHMH, but unfortunately Clinton succumbed to the injury, about 20 minutes later while he was undergoing treatment. The doctors were able to treat Michael Frazer’s injury, and he is currently listed in a stable condition at the hospital.

Less than a day later Police arrested and charged Henry Harris, aka “Alkaline” with Henry Rudolph Harris Clinton Frazer’s murder. Police say that he is a resident of George Street. He has since been arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and due to the nature of the offence, he couldn’t be granted bail. He has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until the next adjournment of his case, which is scheduled for March 10.

Family and friends are left to wonder why the duo was targeted because Frazer was a father of 4 and he

More Bloodshed as City Violence Escalates Wednesday, January 25, 2017 19 year-old Keimar Nicholas, a resident of Lindo’s Alley, has been hospitalized with a serious gunshot injury to the neck which happened only a day after Clinton Frazer was shot and killed right down the street. Once again, Police have already made an arrest for this shooting.

The incident happened on Monday, January 23, 2017, on a basketball court which is right outside the door of his house. Police say that at around 8:40 p.m., while Nicholas was socializing with 2 friends on the court, a tall man rode up to them on a bicycle. That man then opened fired on them, injuring Nicholas to the left side of the neck. His family immediately rushed him to the KHMH for emergency medical treatment and the doctors were able to save his life from the immediate danger that evening. On Tuesday, doctors had to perform another surgery on him.

So, while Nicholas clings to life, the police are in overdrive to try to solve the crime. They made extensive searches of the crime scene later that night, and they found an abandoned bike and a gun which they believe may have been used by the gunman. Less than 24 hours later, the cops formally charged Enfield Fitzgibbon, a Belize City resident, with attempted mur-

Continued on page 7

2017

NOTICE Clinton Frazer

was not known to have enemies. The fish market is location where he and his brother frequently went to socialize.

Notice is hereby given that the company named “VERINOX HOLDING CORP.” has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 18th day of January, 2017.”

GCC Corporate Consultants Group Limited

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY AUCTIONOrange SALES: PROPERTIES Orange PUBLIC Walk Town; Walk District Orange Walk Town; Orange Walk District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. La Inmaculada Credit Union Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties ON SITE on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at the following times: 1. At Parcel No. 4042 Norantal Street, Lousiana Farm Area, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District at 10:00 am:

2.

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate in the Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, and held under Certificate of Lease LRS-201200659 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house consisting of two bedrooms + two bathrooms + living room + kitchen + verandah + Garage and fenced lot [557.351 square meters] situate on Naranjal Street, Louisiana Farm Area, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, the freehold of Reinaldo Novelo) At Parcel No. 2653 Santa Familia Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District at 10:45 am:

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land and situate in the Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, and held under Certificate of Lease LRS-200900614 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a concrete bungalow house comprising four bedrooms + two bathrooms + living room + kitchen and lot [1022.794 square meters] situate on Santa Familia Street, Orange Walk Town, the freehold property of Estevan Ramos surety for Ajeizer Paterio Samos and Indyra Mabel Samos) 3. At Parcel No. 3995 Corner Velvet Apple Street and a Street, Louisiana Farm Area, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District at11:30 am:

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate in the Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, and held under Certificate LRS-201112974 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. ( Being concrete bungalow dwelling house containing two bedrooms + one bathroom + living room + kitchen and fenced lot [456.33 square meters] situate on the corner Velvet Apple Street and a street, Louisiana Farm Area, Orange Walk Town, the freehold of Belilio Isabel Santos surety for Gloria Ester Santos.)

TERMS: STRICTLY TERMS: STRICTLYCASH CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: TELEPHONE: 224224-4473 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com kevinacas@yahoo.com Email:

29 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

More Bloodshed as City Violence Escalates Continued from page 6

der, dangerous harm, use of deadly means of harm, and keeping a prohibited firearm. He will be arraigned before a Magistrate and will be remanded to the Belize Central Prison in the first instance. Fitzgibbon is no stranger to the law and in 2013 he was charged in connection with allegations of sexual abuse, made by a female minor.

On Tuesday evening Police went back Lindo’s Alley

and they searched all the abandoned lots in the area. They found a .22 pistol which was loaded with 1 live round, and about half pound of marijuana in another lot.

As for Nicholas, his family and friends are hoping that he will make a full recovery. His friend, Shaheed Haulze, told the press, “He is a good young man. He is strong and active.

So whatever condition he is in, he will fight it out.”

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

ON THE RISE

Tuesday, January 24, 2017 In Northern and Western Belize, there has been a sudden spike in traffic accidents ending in fatalities for persons involved. The latest 2 happened in Orange Walk on Friday, January 20, and Sunday, January 22, near Belmopan.

According to police investigation 19 year-old Jerry Martinez, a resident of Trial Farm Village, was seen socializing in Central Park in Orange Walk. Just before midnight he was driving his motorcycle on the Otro Benque Road when he lost control of the bike and had a major collision with a lamp post. He suffered severe head and body injuries and he died on the spot. Police continue to look into the accident, including the possibility that alcohol could have contributed to the loss in control of the motorbike.

Jerry Hernandez’s death is the second motorbike accident in less than a week in the Orange Walk District.

Early on Monday, January 16, 41 year salesman Giovanni Ayuso was driving his motorbike about a mile away from August Pine Ridge. That’s when he slammed into an incoming 2004 Chevy pickup which was being driven by 23 year-old Abram Freisen. He died on the spot from the injuries he suffered.

There was also another traffic accident in which a bus ran over a cyclist in the Corozal district. That one happened on Tuesday, January 17 at mile 69 on the Philip Goldson Highway, in the Buena Vista Village. At around 6:30 p.m. that evening, Police were called to the scene where they saw a Tillett’s Bus and an unidentified man near the bike he was riding. Their investigation has revealed that the bus driver was heading in the direction of Corozal Town when he knocked down and killed the unknown cyclist who was riding in the same direction. Police have been having difficulty trying to identify the man since there were no identification cards of the sort in his pockets. They have reason to believe that he is a Mexican national.

In the Cayo District, the most recent traffic accident claimed the life of 21 year-old Geovannie Reymundo who was riding on a motorcycle between miles 55 and 56 on the George Price Highway. On Sunday, January 22 at around 8:48 pm he was with a female passenger and police investigation say that Reymundo was driving in his correct lane when a Toyota Hilux pickup, driven at the time by 43 year-old Kevin Petzold turned into their lane heading toward the parking lot of the “the Mall”.

Reymundo was unable to avoid hitting the pickup and he slammed into the vehicle and his motorbike ended up under the front bumper. He died from the injuries he suffered, but his female passen-

ger survived. Police have since arrested and charged Petzold with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving without due care and attention, and failing to give way when changing direction. He has already been arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate Court.

It is believed that the recent surge in accidents is being caused by a number of factors including poor road conditions, badly lit and marked roads, speeding and alcohol.

Keimar Nicholas

Enfield Fitzgibbon

NOTICE “Notice is hereby given that the company named “MESIA HOLDINGS LTD.” has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 19th day of January, 2017.”

Belize Corporate Services Limited

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the time as listed.

At the Parking Lot across the street from the office of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Tuesday January 31, 2017 at 10:00a.m.

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Parcel 3232, Block 16 in the Caribbean Shores/Belize Registration Section situate on Lauren Burgess Crescent, Belama Phase III, Belize City, Belize District, comprising an unoccupied corner lot of 568.910 square metres bounded by the Buffer Area/Belize Old River and a canal, the freehold property of ANDRE ANTHONY YOUNG and JENNA MARIE YOUNG (Jointly)

DATED this 17th day of January 2017

All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

08 8

Why the Rush to Amend the Referendum Act?

Michael Peyrefitte

29 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

Senator Eamon Courtenay dressed” but not “linked to this passage,” he said.

In a rebuttal, Lead Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay highlighted that “the legal advisors to the Government of Belize have advised that the

Act, Senator Courtenay cited a ruling of the Privy Council that “the language introduced into the Referendum Act by the United Democratic Party in 2008 now means that referenda are only consultative

and advisory.” The Opposition concluded that the current one sentence amendment to the Referendum Act is insufficient. They maintain that a holistic review is necessary.

The bill was passed without amendment.

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Novelo’sNovelo’s Convention Center, Santa Elena, Cayo District Convention Center, Santa Elena, Cayo District BY the Mortgagees, Mortgagees, Messrs.

Messrs.Atlantic AtlanticCorporation CorporationLimited, Limited,Licensed LicensedAuctioneer Auctioneer Kevin

BY ORDER ORDER of the Kevin A. A. Castillo Castillo the following ON[Loma SITE Luz [Loma Luz Boulevard three surrounding Santa Cayo will sellwill the sell following propertyproperty ON SITE Boulevard & three&surrounding streets, streets, Santa Elena, st January 2017 Elena, Cayo Tuesday District] on District] Tuesday on 31st January312017 at 1:30 pm:at 1:30 pm: NOVELO’S CONVENTION CENTER, SANTA ELENA, CAYO DISTRICT

Loma Luz Boulevard

Monday, January 23, 2017 Unlike at the Lower House, there was no division of votes inside the Senate at its first meeting of 2017 on January 19th, after the Referendum Act (Amendment) Bill was debated. But the Opposition was clearly against its ratification as was the Union and Civil Society Senator while the Church Senator, in his brief address on the matter called for Belize and Guatemala to just…get along. He stated the Church wishes that the relationship between both governments “was like that of the churches” and alluded to the joint Belize-Guatemala religious ceremonies held at the Western border where they “had a wonderful time.” In supporting the amendment, he called Guatemala’s unfounded territorial claim to Belize an albatross over [sic] our neck and stated “we are ready to move forward with this issue.” For the Churches, he said, it is clear that a referendum must be held and the threshold is of no consequence because what’s important is to “have this thing fixed.”

Union and Civil Society Senator Elena Smith echoed concerns about the finalization of matters such as the Sarstoon Protocol and other agreements that should be in place before the amendment is passed.

Referring to context, in an articulate presentation, Opposition Senator Valerie Woods affirmed that this amendment cannot be a simple exercise of “yay or nay.” She pointed to the Referendum Act being amended back in 2008 from its 1999 version which included the same simple majority threshold section to which it is now being reverted. “See, it can’t be that in 2008, the threshold was ok, but in 2017 we suddenly woke up and realized for all these years we have not been operating on the right side of history,” she submitted. She further questioned why the clause from the 1999 version of the Act that the referendum is put to the people for their approval and not just their views is being forgotten. Alluding to the Prime Minister’s statement in the House that the referendum on taking the Guatemala claim to the International Court of Justice for final resolution will not happen anytime soon, Senator Woods echoed the persistent question, “why are we rushing to change the amendment?” In good faith, she affirmed, the government should repeal and replace sections of the Maritime Areas Act and hold a re-registration of voters before this amendment.

But UDP Senator Duncan criticized that call as tying the hands of the Government with these conditions. He then proceeded to call them peripheral matters and red herrings being linked to the Referendum Act at this time. “There is a place for those and they should be ad-

Maritime Areas Act Section 3 and 7 should be repealed.

Why is it not being done? It is not peripheral. It is those sections that determine the extent of our territorial seas…the extent of our exclusive economic zone. It is wrong to call that a red herring and peripheral…It is central to our case what our domestic law says on our maritime areas…It is directly linked with this process.”

The Opposition also referenced Belize appeasing Guatemala by getting rid of this “obstacle” without holding Guatemala equally accountable. For instance, Guatemala used a constitutional provision to reject the facilitators’ recommendations during that process and the Opposition is now calling for that to be removed. On the binding nature of the Referendum

2017

Pcl. I538

4.80 Acres

REGISTRATION SECTION Santa Elena/Cayo

BLOCK 23

PARCEL 1538

(Being Novelo’s Convention Centre situate on Loma Luz Boulevard & three (3) surrounding streets, Santa

Elena Town, Cayo District containing 4.80 acres of land AND development, the freehold property of Mr. Antonio David Novelo and Mr. David Novelo.)

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH TERMS: STRICTLY KEVIN A. CASTILLO CASH TELEPHONE: 224-4473 KEVIN A. CASTILLO Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

8 MAY 29 JAN 12 JUN 19 JUN

2016 2017 2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

Senate Inquiry: Ruth Meighan on the Hot Seat Monday, January 23, 2017 The Senate Investigation into the Auditor General’s reports has been kind of like the peeling away of onion skins. Each layer of questioning and testimony, instead of bringing tears to your eyes, makes you shake your head in disgust.

As readers are aware, Maria Marin has revealed under oath that UDP Ministers were interfering in the process of expediting documents for foreign nationals, and she even tracked the amount of times Ministers were recommending applicants because she was very uncomfortable with the frequency of these recommendations.

Former Director of Immigration Ruth Meighan appeared before the Senate on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, without an attorney, to give her sworn testimony. Immediately, the Senate focused in on a part of the Auditor General’s Report on Visa issuance between 2011 and 2013 which appears to implicate Meighan directly.

In this part of the report, the Immigration Department has been exposed for having granted Asian persons Belize Visas and permanent residency on the same day in one instance. Permanent Residency immediately qualifies a person to get a passport, so in that instance, this applicant, Tianzhi Wang, got a visa and permanent residency status in Belize only a matter of hours. The Auditor General claimed that Wang’s visa application was accepted by Immigration Officer Ady Pacheco, and it was approved by Ruth Meighan on November 9, 2011. She found out that Wang was able to get permanent residency approved that same day as well.

In other instances, 14 Asian persons got their visas and permanent residency some days later, some weeks later, or in some instances, some months later. In that time they did not qualify, and so they were not entitled to permanent residency in Belize. In order for them to have qualified for permanent residency, these applicants would have had to be living in Belize, uninterrupted for an entire year, and these applicants certainly did not meet that requirement.

There were many such cases under Meighan’s tenure, including instances in which Chinese nationals received permanent residency status months before arriving in Belize. The AuditorGeneral’s report pointed to instances in which files were deliberately manipulated and dates changed to facilitate these transactions.

Meighan was shown no mercy while giving testimony, but refused to admit to wrongdoing even when the evidence was placed before her. She instead blamed the officers under her watch, including Marin. When asked if she was approving both visas and nationality for the same persons on the same day, she denied that, claiming that it could have been either her or Marin.

Church Senator Ashley Rocke challenged Meighan directly when he put it to her, "This report seems to implicate you in relation to 1-day operations that are related to two vital pieces of docu-

ment, one being the visa and the other one being the permanent residency.

So, in fact you are refuting this report?"

Meighan responded, "I'm not refuting any report...I'm saying that what I signed on is approvals that I give for permanent residency, were based on information that was provided to me."

Senator Rocke then pressed her, "It says that the visa was given 1 day, and the permanent residency was given the same day, and it has your signature." Meighan then responded, "I was saying that when I was approving the permanent residency, I did not have the visa application or information on the visa in front of me.

What I had was a file that is a permanent residency file that indicated to me that the person has been living in Belize for over a year. That qualifies that person for permanent residency."

That’s a similar answer she gave to the Chairman when he asked her why it was that the Immigration Officers allowed these applicants to get past their checks and balances. She is alleging that it was not her fault, that it was caused by the officers who were tasked to vet these applicants. She said that she approved what was brought before her, trusting that the officers did their due diligence. She is also alleging that these documents, which she now accepts as forgeries, were so well put together that it fooled her into think that these people were in Belize for the required 12 month period.

9 SPORTS 09

Investigators Query Stolen Visas

Monday, January 23, 2017 The Senate Inquiry last week also touched on 8 stolen visas which caught the attention of the Auditor General and her team. Their inquiry shows that on December 26, 2012, the officers of the Immigration Department’s Western Border Station discovered that 8 Belize visa foils were missing.

They conducted an investigation, and found out that one officer stole the visa foils and sold them to a UDP politician who was elected as a City Councillor. According to the Auditor General’s reports, that politician confirmed that he bought the stolen visa foils and that they were concerned about their authenticity.

The purchaser of stolen Government property then took the visas to an Immigration officer in Belmopan. This officer, instead of confiscating the stolen visas, confirmed that these visas were indeed valid but illegally issued. To cover up theft, the senior officers then issued visas to legitimate applicants using the identification numbers of those 8 stolen visas. It is Department procedure that every applicant who is issued with a visa be given a sticker in their passport, which comes from the visa foil. That wasn’t done in this particular instance, and the 8 applicants did not have the required visa stickers in their passports.

When she was questioned by the Senate on her handling of the case as the Director, Ruth Meighan said that she was not in office at the time, and that she instructed her Deputy Director, Maria Marin, to conduct an investigation. She said that she left the Immigration Department a few weeks later, and she did not follow up the case after that.

The Auditor General, in her report questions why the missing visa foils were not reported to the Police for investigation against the Immigration Officer who stole them, and against the UDP politician who bought them. She also questions why the senior immigration officer gave the approval for sale of the numbers corresponding to the 8 stolen visas to legitimate applicants. She believes that this action could have aided in fraud where these visa stickers could have ended up in the passports of persons who never applied or qualified for visas. She also questioned why the Ministry responsible for Immigration did not take disciplinary action against the officer who stole the visas, and the senior officer who approved the use of these same ID numbers without the stickers.

While Meighan couldn’t offer any helpful explanation, she did refute the Auditor General’s conclusion that she “did not make efforts to have the matter investigated”. She repeated that she did give instructions to the Continued on page 11

10 SPORTS

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

Team Belize Exits 6th

8 JAN 21 AUG 29 JAN

2017 2016

at Copa Centroamericana

Panama City, January 22, 2016 Team Belize exited the Union of Central American Football Federations (UNCAF) 2017 Copa Centroamericana in 6th place with a single draw and 4 losses at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama over the last fortnight.

The tournament was the qualifier to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the top 4 teams advancing, but after a 0-3 loss to Costa Rica on Sunday, January 15, and 1-3 loss to El Salvador last Tuesday, the Jaguars had only 1 point from a nil-zip draw with Panama on Friday, January 13.

The Jaguars’ best chance of qualifying to the Gold Cup was a win over Nicaragua last Friday, January 20, but it did not pan out that way. It seemed that Team Belize might at least pick up a 2nd point from another draw after team captain Elroy Smith had scored a penalty in the 53rd minute to equalize: 1-1 after Nicaragua’s captain Juan Barrera scored a header in the 23rd minute.

Indeed the Jaguars held on to that 1-1 draw until the 83rd minute when Danny Cadenas

spliced the ball across the goal and goalie Shane Orio made the stop. Except the referee and linesman determined that Shane had already crossed the goal line by the time he made the stop: 2-1.

Bryan Garcia sealed the 3-1 win with a 3rd goal in the 89th minute. It was Nicaragua’s only win and put them

in 5th place where they will have to play the 5th place team from the Caribbean: Haiti, to possibly win a spot in the Gold Cup. Belize’s 5th match against the eventual champions Honduras was more competitive, with Deon Macaulay and Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton leading the attack with the help of

midfielders Jordi Polanco, Luis “Barker” Torres, Andres Makin Jr., Denmark Casey Jr. and Devon Makin. The Honduras defense gave them short shrift and Eddie Hernandez’s right foot shot in the 56th minute ended Belize’s hopes of a draw and gave Honduras the 1-0 win.

Team Belize came home on Monday, January 23.

Ladyville Tech Girls Wesley College & Win 2 in CSSSA Football

Ladyville Tech girls win 2 Belize City, January 20, 2016 The Ladyville Technical High School girls posted 2 wins in the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) football competition at the MCC Garden last week.

After falling 1-0 to St. Catherine Academy in the opening game of the competition, the Ladyville Tech girls bounced back to drill Maud Williams High School girls: 3-0 last Monday, January 16; when Mary Davis scored the 1st goal, Seleaney Goodin scored a 2nd goal and the Maud Williams’ girls scored an auto goal to give the Ladyville girls the 3-0 win.

The Ladyville girls posted a 2nd win: 5-zip against Wesley College girls on Thursday. Latisha Anthony scored the 1st goal and Seleaney Goodin scored 2 more to lead 3-0 at the half.

After the break, Latisha Anthony scored a 4th goal to put the finish on a

corner kick from Jasmine Castillo and Lorraine Stephens picked up a rebound off the Wesley defense to drive in a 5th goal for the 5-0 win.

The Gwen Lizarraga High School girls are ranked No. 2 in the tournament with 7pts, after picking up a point from a scoreless draw with Pallotti High School last Tuesday and another 3pts from their 2nd win, by the Maud Williams girls’ forfeit last Friday.

The SCA girls are No.1 with 9pts from 3 wins; as they also bombed Maud Williams: 8-zip last Wednesday. Gabriela Mendoza scored the 1st and 2nd goals, and Jennifer Estrada scored the 3rd goal.

Sheraine Sebastian came off the bench to replace Mendoza and she scored the 4th goal. Kelsey Rodriguez converted a penalty to lead 5-0 at the half.

In the 2nd half, Sheraine Sebastian scored again and Jayda Myvett and Kelsie Moss added a goal apiece for the 8-0 win.

Gwen Liz Boys

Win 2 in CSSSA Football Belize City, January 21, 2016 The Wesley College and Gwen Lizarraga High boys each posted their 2nd wins, while the Nazarene High School, Edward P. Yorke High School and Ladyville Technical High School boys posted their 1st wins of the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) football competition at the MCC Garden last week.

On Tuesday, January 17, Nazarene High overran the Belize High School boys: 6-0, led by Austin Dawson scoring a hat trick; while Michael Robinson scored 2 goals and Mynor Hernandez scored one goal.

On Wednesday, January 18, SJC posted their 3rd win: 2-0 vs. Maud Williams High School; Dion Cacho scored his 3rd goal of the tournament to make it 2-0 before the half.

On Thursday January 19, the Wesley College boys drilled Edward P. Yorke High School 5-1; led by Kenyon Lewis who scored a hat trick, and Kermit Sutherland scored the 2nd goal. Godwin Neal added a 5th goal by a penalty. Only Jason Crawford scored a goal for E.P. Yorke.

Continued on page 11

Godwin Neal scored Wesley 5th goal vs EP Yorke

Jason Crawford scored EP Yorke 1st goal vs Wesley

MAY 31 8 JAN JUL 12 JUN 14 19 29 AUG JUN JAN 29 JAN

2016 2017 2016 2017

Wesley College & Gwen Liz Boys Win 2 in CSSSA Football

Investigators

Query Stolen Visas

Continued from page 9

Deputy Director to carry out an investigation.

The officers got away mostly unscathed with that corrupt act, and the Senate challenged Meighan that she failed as an administrator.

Front-line immigration officers were still accepting incomplete applications and passing them along for approval, even though they didn’t meet all the requirements. Former Acting Director, Maria Marin, has testified in the Senate that she often sent back 80% to 90% of the applications which landed on her desk because they were incomplete. Yet it kept coming, and Ruth Meighan has indicated that she had to send back applications. Both Meighan and Marin have categorically stated they never approved applications that were incomplete.

When Business Senator Mark Lizarraga challenged Meighan on her effectiveness as a Department head, she refuted that throughout his tough questioning. According to Meighan, “so then, as far as I can tell, the process was being followed. When the application reaches my desk, it has all the relevant information. If it did not have it, then it was sent back.”

Lizarraga then challenged that answer using the findings of the Auditor General, which outlined many instances where the incomplete applications still got the approval it shouldn’t have. Try as he might to get her to answer that question, she muttered, almost inaudibly, “(I) can’t answer that.”

She then went right back to her repeating her answer, “Whenever an application came to my desk, it was approved based on the information, and the information that were required.”

Meighan is set to reappear before the Senate investigators this week.

THE BELIZE TIMES Continued from page 10 On Friday, January 20, the Ladyville Technical High School boys schooled Sadie Vernon Technical High School: 2-0 with Frannon Broaster and Malcolm Leslie scoring a goal apiece before the half.

On Saturday morning, January 21, the Gwen Liz boys upset the defending champs Anglican Cathedral College: 2-0 with Michael Deshield and

Keiron Patnett scoring a goal apiece.

In Game 2, it seemed the Belize High School boys might be posting their 1st win as they led 2-0 at the half from goals scored by Alex Jex and Brandon Musa.

The 2nd half was all Maud Williams; as Tyrell “Tut” Estrada, Shamir Patnett, Gueller Lopez, Marlon Selgado and Jaheem “Hammer” Thomas scored a goal apiece for the

09 11 11 5-2 win.

In Game 3 Saturday, the E.P. Yorke boys posted their 1st win: 4-1 against Excelsior High School. Jason Morales scored the 1st goal, Sergio Andrade scored a goal in each half, and Jason Crawford scored a 4th goal. Only Joshua Castillo scored a consolation goal for Excelsior.

49 12

THE BELIZE TIMES

29 JAN

2017

A PARTY THAT WORKS...

A Belize That Works...

29 JAN

2017

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

13

14

29 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Ambergris Caye, Belize District

BY ORDER of the Receiver, Sueno Del Mar Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following property ON SITE [13 Miles north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District] on Monday 30th January 2017 at 11:00 am: SUENO DEL MAR RESORT - 13 MILES NORTH OF SAN PEDRO TOWN, AMBERGRIS CAYE

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK San Pedro 7

PARCEL 8843

(Being Sueno Del Mar Resort situate 13 Miles north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye and includes: Palapa Bar & Grill; Two Swimming Pools; Direct TV Satellite System; Isotropic Satellite Internet System; Electrical System provided by Belize Electricity Ltd.; Resort Electricity back-up Generator; 45,0000 gallon resort water storage; Laundry Facility; Guest Storage; Staff Housing; Resort Maintenance Storage; 32 ft. Boat with 2 - 200 HP Yamaha Outboard Motors; 9 Resort Villa Buildings (36 villas are partially furnished and 3 villas unfurnished) (32 two bedroom villas) (6 one bedroom villas) (1 three bedroom villa); on 9.6 acres of land with 506 feet of frontage on the Caribbean Sea in the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, the freehold property of Messrs. Sueno Del Mar Limited

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

29 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

In just a few days, PUP leader John Briceño will celebrate the completion of his first year in that post after he emerged victorious from a democratic and hard-fought Convention in 2016. It has been a year of challenges in the wake of a third consecutive loss to the United Democratic Party, which won a majority of seats largely because that Party had access to the Petrocaribe funds and they rolled it far and wide. But there will be no more victories for the UDP anytime soon. I am confident of that.

The Party has been re-energized under John Briceño and is poising itself for victory whenever the UDP calls elections, hopefully sooner rather than later. I am proud to be a PUP and the tens of thousands of our loyal supporters know that very soon there will be a PUP government which will work to fix this mess created by the UDP. There are so many things which have gone terribly wrong not only in the past year, but under three terms of the UDP. Even now a Senate Inquiry is hard at work trying to unravel the scandal at the Immigration Department, and every week there are more revelations of how bad it really was. Under this UDP administration, there seem to have been no checks and balances in that department and it has been shown that UDP Ministers used their influence to expedite documents for persons who did not meet the requirements.

In just the past year, there has been scandal after scandal. It’s been over 3 months since Gaspar Vega resigned in disgrace after the revelations out of the Ministry of Natural Resources – three months and it is clear that despite the widespread wrong-doing, there will be no further action taken against Vega. It has been three months since Vega’s son Andre and UDP attorney Sharon Pitts were allegedly asked to return $400,000 each they got wrongfully from the Ministry. Nothing has come of that either, and it is doubtful that anything ever will - $800,000 gone just like that in

two transactions, and there is evidence of many such transactions under the watch of Vega.

Even besides the corruption and greed of these UDP Ministers, we have seen that there are darker days ahead. Our country is in unprecedented debt, over $3 Billion dollars, and we keep borrowing more just to try to stay afloat. After boasting about how great he was to renegotiate the bond in 2012, the PM had to go begging to bondholders again because he can’t afford to make the coupon payment next month. And that’s because we soon have another huge payment due to Lord Michael Ashcroft in a few months, and another $100M on top of that which the Prime Minister now says we will not pay. It is clear that we are getting to this point where we will have nowhere else to turn, nobody else to bail us out and then where will be money come from. The Prime Minister has burned all his bridges.

In Orange Walk, we are proud to say that we have already paved 35 streets, cemented 8 intersections and carried out 4 major drainage projects. We have done it in a responsible manner and we have done it without any assistance from Central Government. Because we do things the right way in this municipality, we have been able to get a lot done while also paying off the bills of the previous administration.

You, the people of Orange Walk, have my commitment that we will continue to spend your money wisely and the work will continue. In the days ahead we will have to pull together as a community because there is already talk of retrenchment and higher taxes. From the beginning of the year, taxes on fuel went way up, a situation that is already hurting our cane-farmers especially. But we will keep moving ahead, and very soon, if God and the people are willing, the People’s United Party will be returned to office and the people can see a return to the good governance that we all deserve and should all demand from any administration put into office to represent us.

THE COST OF PERSISTENT BUDGET DEFICITS By: Eduardo Santos When there's no way out, you find a deeper way in. Fiscal policy involves government expenditure on law and order, public sector, health and public goods and government revenue which is earned through taxation, public sector companies and privatization. When government expenditure is greater than government revenue, budget deficits occur, which is considered to be expansionary fiscal policy. Budget deficits can be used to jump start the economy, increase aggregate demand and employment.

However, for many countries including Belize, budget deficits have become a major issue. As government spend more than they receive in revenue they borrow from the private sector or from international sources which results in high interest payments resulting in higher taxation for the public.

Budget deficits are not necessarily detrimental to the economy, but persistent deficits increase debt and reduce growth. Government expenditure is one of the elements of aggregate demand and thus an increase in government expenditure would increase aggregate demand and thus national income. In times of recession and low GDP growth, budget deficits jumpstart the economy by increasing employment and income. Budget deficits are also beneficial when the government invests in infrastructure, electricity, law and order, health and education as they develop the economy and the economic environment thus helping the private sector.

However, constant budget deficits that are not financed by revenue will cause more harm than good.

Two major issues occur as a result of persistent budget deficits; there is a crowding out of private investment and an increase in public debt. There are limited funds available for borrowing and investment in an economy. When there is a budget deficit it needs to be financed either through an increase in taxes or through borrowing. When the government enters the market as a potential borrower, this increases the demand for funds and thus increases interest rates. This hike in interest rates may force many private borrowers out of the market. As the government is a risk free borrower many investors would opt for government securities thus private investment is crowded out.

When private investment is crowded out, new factories and ventures will not be set up thus decreasing the future production capacity of the economy. On the other hand, this borrowing due to the budget deficits leads to an increase in the public debt which the public are taxed for.

When a budget deficit occurs and the government opts for borrowing, it is not just increasing the debt burden. It is increasing the tax burden on the public as well. $1 billion of borrowing is future taxation of $1billion with another $60 million of interest every year if the interest rate is 6%. Increased borrowing by the government will lead to increased

15 rates by lenders, further harming the economy. Thus it decreases future income of the public and will have a downward effect on GDP. If the budget deficits are short term they can be balanced off with surpluses, however most governments now face persistent budget deficits and thus a persistent increase in public deficits.

As mentioned before, public borrowing leads to crowding out which leads to less growth and output in future years thus harming employment and GDP rather than proving beneficial.

Another cause for concern is that since the government is borrowing to a great extent the shortage of funds leads companies to look abroad for funds, which results in dividends and profits flowing outwards to foreign holders of stocks and bonds. This results in a fall of income for the public and an increase in what is owed to foreign nationals. Persistent budget deficits are also a cause of concern as they might lead to inflation. Excessive government spending may lead to the central bank increasing money supply in order to finance the deficit and prevent crowding out. This increase in money supply will lead to inflation.

Since many economists believe that public sector enterprise is inefficient due to bureaucracy and lack of profit maximization, excessive government expenditure is a waste of the country’s productive resources and has a harmful effect on economic growth. In an open economy, the borrowing from abroad will decrease GDP due to payments abroad and this will cause a burden on the future generations. Budget deficits and public debt may not impose a great expense on the current public but the increasing debt burden will result in greater tax burden on the future generation as well as a lower GDP due to lower investment in productive enterprises.

The greater tax burden is counterproductive as it leads people and capital to migrate to low tax economies or drives them underground which greatly harms the economy.

Excess taxation will decrease disposable income and thus consumption.

It will also decrease profits and thus investment. Furthermore the spike in interest rates will also decrease investment thus decreasing aggregate demand and employment. Short term benefits of increased government expenditure are offset by these factors with long term effect. If the multiplier effect is taken into account the increase in taxation, combined with decrease in consumption and investment would have a magnified impact on national income.

Governments are also concerned with the debt-GDP ratio and the proportion of interest and debt payment in the GDP. If these two factors keep rising then the country will keep on getting entrenched in debt which may call for a strict conservationist fiscal policy. Policies proposed to combat the situation include the policy of cyclically balanced budgets with deficits in slumps and surpluses in booms. In conclusion, the economy is affected adversely by persistent budget deficits and rising public debt thus it is vital for government to control their deficits and borrowing or future generations will bear the costs. This is the road that our present government is now taking us. The worst is yet to come for most Belizeans.

ing the images of what our society cal stooges driving under the influence has become. of cocaine and alcohol.

If you are nauseated, you can It appears that the public has lost turn off your television or do what our faith in the Police for the delivery of juspoliticians do, pretend that it isn’t hap- tice. There is an outcry for private invespening and ignore the reality. Some tigations, especially as it relates to poactually feed from it! Depend on it! lice cover-ups to avoid the investigation Contribute to it! of Ministers, other government officials The Police in general, have been and the otherwise politically connected. stymied from acting professionally. Yet another of the numerous inactions They work in deplorable conditions. by the police and the government was They are inadequately equipped. They when a former Chief Immigration Ofwork in an environment of untouch- ficer, who is still in the employ of the ables. They are tools to protect the government, recently had her U.S. visa ByIfDolores Balderamos GarciaNot even a “boo” was heard in privileged class. you listen keenly, revoked. you will hear that some have even be- the corridors of Belmopan. She is now come apologists to elevate their own CEO in another Ministry. careers. They are pawns.

The Police, in its operations, appear The government, from all appear- to be the protectors of the political and ances, is not serious about confront- social class of elites in the society. In its ing the crime wave. In fact, the Prime pretense about maintaining law and orMinister began an unsustainable “bro- der, it tries to give the impression that mance” with the gangs. He has used law and order are being played out on them, “The in some instances, as political level playing fielddream but in of reality, it disquality of Mercy is not a naciously to the this buildtools, as disposables, to intimidate criminates against the poor and the strained,” said Portia in her famous ing. The building is not fully comvoters.

He made them feel that they dispossessed.

This includes the high words to Shylock in Shakespeare's plete yet. On its completion it will had political muscle. It backfired. incidents of the arrests of young men play “The Merchant of Venice.” “It boast a Science Center and several Further proof that the govern- for small quantities of marijuana (joints droppeth as the gentle rain from classrooms, but it is already being ment is not serious about crime is the or roaches) that they use as an opiate heaven upon the place beneath; It used for many activities. charade the Prime Minister has made to keep them “tranquilo” and to soothe is twice blessed; It blesseth him Just how much funding went in the political appointment of the pre- their hungry bellies and their otherwise that gives and him that takes... into the project is amazing.

In vious and current Commissioners of poor, hopeless and miserable lives. her This Mercy above Principalto Tillett shared with Police whoiswere neverthis the sceptred sharpest is remarks in harsh contrast the pervasive milsway; is enthroned in theofficers hearts lions us of that despite fundtools in aItbox of other young dollars lost innumerous revenues due to of kings; It is an attribute God government raising events only that $250,000.00 with razor sharp talents.

Theyto have corruption the police himself, and earthly power doth was garnered, and this provided been frustrated and demoralized by are paralyzed from touching. then show likest and God's when preliminary and piles forrapes, the the incompetence, even the MerstuCorruption work in government, cy seasons justice...In the course burglaries, structure.a Working with Mr. pidity, of the current commissioner. small possession of Irvin mariof new justice none of should Perez Legacy Fund, Sister The Minister of us State with see re- juana andofthethe gamut of other crimes and sponsibility of other illegal law and orsalvation; for WethedoPolice pray was for one Mercy Rose, Ms.activities Salomeare andall many oththem. has der issues.

The are discriminatory and The thatcurrent same Commissioner prayer doth teach ers raised a Police $3 Million Bond in oralmost handedly transformed theirtorole as the law and us all single to render the deeds of Mer- inder bring thecustodians Center tooffruition. the Police Department into a State Aporder.

It is selective. cy.” Beautiful words indeed, and I It was indeed a bold initiative, and paratus the government. cannot benew any social wouldofgreatly agree that He wevirtualare all theThere result is the Center.justice Big ly in does only the bidding of his political without criminal justice.

Unless need of some mercy, compasrespect to all!! It took a verythis longis bosses.

They are the untouchables. recognized by the government, sion and forgiveness. time, but the proof is there forunless all to He hasInmade them so. this is recognized by the police and the acknowledging the anniexperience.

16

outlined in the Constitution.

The police are now incapable of dealing with this national crisis. To deal with this epidemic that crosses politi-

THE BELIZE TIMES

MY PERSPECTIVE

REFLECTIONS ON MERCY

versary of the Sisters of Mercy in Belize for all one hundred and thirty-four years, no doubt it is right to focus on the tradition of Mercy brought to Saint Catherine Academy and to Belize by the Sisters of Mercy. Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley's (founder of the Sisters of Mercy) vision of compassion for the oppressed, for living to do good works, and for the empowerment of women through education has guided the work of the Sisters, and although very few Sisters of Mercy are left in Belize now, many good teachers and administrators have carried forward the work of Saint Catherine Academy. God bless and keep them all.

Accompanying the celebration of 134 years of Mercy was the official inauguration of the SCA Mercy Center which took place on Friday evening, January 20, 2017. As a product of Mercy, I was honored to have been invited and to participate in the festivities. The SCA Mercy Center now stands where the old Saint Catherine Elementary school building where I went to school stood, and it is an impressive space for assemblies, sports, meetings, and performances. It is a reality because of the vision and arduous work of the Sisters and the Administration of Saint Catherine's, mainly Principal Salome Tillett.

Sister Rose Rivero must also be given many kudos for sticking te-

Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Glancy did the honours along with various faculty, staff and students, of blessing the structure with prayers and wetting it both inside and out with Holy Water. Sister Mercy Cervantes, Chairperson of the Board of Saint Catherine Academy, Sister Rose Rivero and Principal Salome Tillett then did the ceremonial ribbon cutting before everyone entered the building.

Guests were then treated to dinner served by the students, and there was a full program of entertainment which comprised many musical, poetry and dance items by the girls and others.

Saint Catherine Academy now has almost seven hundred girls enrolled. It has changed significantly over the years, as fewer nuns and more lay persons have been involved in the high school program.

My sincere hope as an old Saint Catherine girl is that the Mercy tradition will continue to remain strong in the molding of so many women of Belize's future. The quality of Mercy should never be strained. It must continue to rain on the girls, the Board, administration, faculty and staff. Saint Catherine Academy must remain steadfast and grow from strength to strength as a leader in empowerment for girls and women through the quality education and the sound guidance and development for the students which it offers.

Return. Will he do something or will he continue to do absolutely nothing to stop it?

This is real!!!

29 JAN

2017

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under a Charge made the 3rd day of September 2008, between STEVEN VALENCIA of Puffer Street, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Chargor”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Chargee”) of the other part, and recorded as LRS-200806929, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT parcel of land being San Pedro – Registration Section, Block 7 Parcel 2015 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 4th day of January, 2017.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 17th day of July 2008, between ALLIANCE BANK OF BELIZE LIMITED (“the Assignor”), SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (the Assignee”) and WILLIAM HENRY BOWMAN of 791 Bella Vista, Belize City, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 26 of 2008 at Folios 571-590, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE Firstly, ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 7 acres situate near mile 19 on the Stann Creek Valley Road in the Stann Creek District being the land comprised in the Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 135 of 1971 dated the 6th day of January, 1972 and entered at the General Registry in the Crown Lands Book (Grants) No. 4 at Folios 91 Entry No. 735 and referred to as Block 38 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

Secondly, ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 8 acres 1 rood 16 poles situate near mile 19 on the Stann Creek Valley Road in the Stann Creek District being the land comprised in the Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 136 of 1971 dated the 28th day of January, 1972 and entered at the General Registry in the Crown Lands Book (Grants) No. 4 at Folios 89 Entry No. 724 and referred to as Block 37 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

Thirdly, ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate near mile 19 ¾ on the Stann Creek Valley Road in the Stann Creek District containing 7 acres 1 rood 28 poles, being the property comprised in the Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 134 of 1971 dated the 28th day of January, 1972 attached to the Fiat aforesaid TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 1st day of December, 2016.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

29 JAN

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

THE REFERENDUM (AMENDMENTS) ACT: A ROLLER COASTER OF HYPOCRISY

By: Norris Hall THE recent debate in the House of Representatives on yet another amendment to the amendment to the amended Referendum Act was like a roller coaster of hypocrisy by a government manipulating the laws of this country like a sailmaker constantly cutting a jib to fit a sail.

As with the first amendment to the Referendum Act, which was introduced and passed by the Legislature in 2011 under the first Barrow Administration, it is devious and not binding.

The first was intended to make it difficult for an environmental group to challenge certain decisions made by the government with regards to offshore drilling for oil. Worse, it posed a devious threat to Section 2 of the Belize Constitution as it relates to preventive detention. It completely ignored international norms. It came to haunt them. They had to go into reverse.

REFERENDUM RESULTS IGNORED The first referendum under this Act was held during the last days of the second Musa Administration. It was held simultaneously with the national elections of 2008. The question put to the electorate then was about voting for or against an elected Senate. There was overwhelming support for an elected senate with more than 60 percent in favour. Thirty of the thirty one political constituencies voted in favour. The dissenting vote came from the Queen Square Constituency in Belize City, the current Prime Minister’s stronghold. When in government, he ignored the results of that referendum.

THE 2011 FIRST AMENDMENT The first amendment to the Referendum Act was through a Bill introduced by the Prime Minster (UDP) in 2011. It was no more than tampering with the Act for no good national and democratic reason. It is strange now that the very people who supported that amendment now shamelessly admit that the first amendment was undemocratic. It raised the bar for the quantum necessary to trigger a referendum. That amendment was about heeled self-interest. It was not about the national interest.

It was tied into a successful move made by the current Prime Minister to amend the Belize Constitution to facilitate the nationalization of the Utility Companies, after the Supreme Court ruled against this move. It was challenged by a number of interested parties including the then owners of Belize Telemedia Ltd. as well as environmental groups and the public. They called for a national referendum on this issue. They thought the intention of the government to nationalize the utilities companies were ill-advised.

They have now been proven to be right, given the outrageous cost of more than $ half-a-billion the government has to pay for BTL. There was also mounting public

concern over the government’s intention to proceed with offshore oil exploration with total disregard for environmental concerns as well as expressed concern by UNESCO, which in the early 90s declared Belize’s barrier reef as a World Heritage Site.

Faced with these challenges from the public and from environmental groups against nationalization of the public utilities companies, the Barrow Administration moved to ignore the fundamental principle of law - the bedrock belief in the supremacy of a government of laws and not of men - the imperative of the rule of law.

THE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED The Barrow Administration faced with these two challenges did two things: It ignored the ruling of the Supreme Court that the nationalization of the utilities companies was unconstitutional. Because it enjoyed a super majority in the Legislature, the Prime Minister moved to amend the Belize Constitution. This was the 9th amendment! The government, also with the first amendment to the Referendum Act increased the threshold for a successful referendum on national issues from a simple majority of 50 percent of votes from the electorate to 60 percent.

This 9th Amendment was described by one group opposed to it as “a threat to Belize’s reputation as a democratic partner in the region.”

Nevertheless, Oceana, a global environmental group concerned with the protection of seas and oceans, and with representation in Belize, launched a massive national protest and mobilized for a referendum against the government’s decision to go ahead with offshore drilling.

This referendum was an overwhelming vote against offshore drilling. It far exceeded the new threshold of 60 percent the government had established with the first amendment to the referendum Act. But yet the government challenged the legitimacy of that referendum.

This recent (2nd Amendment) to the Referendum Act was simply a matter of the government reversing itself after all its bluster by ramming the first amendment through the Legislature and the Senate. It has now lowered the 60 percent threshold it passed in the 2011 amendment, to what it was in the original Referendum Act that provided for a simple majority for a referendum on a national issue. It was not, however, done in accordance with the wishes of the people. Rather it was done with pressure coming from Guatemala.

BAD FAITH When the Bill for the amendment to the Referendum Act to increase the threshold to 60 percent was introduced, the government totally ignored the advice of the Opposition that it was not in accordance with international standards. It would not have boded well with Guatemala in talks

with Belize to resolve Guatemala’s claim. It would have saved the Barrow Administration the embarrassment of having to do an about face.

But these and other national issues never figured in the government’s intention in its first amendment to the Referendum Act. It was simply intended to make it more difficult to challenge the Barrow Administration on a wide spectrum of national issues that would qualify for a vote on public opinion by way of a referendum. More specifically, it was also related to the government’s intention to proceed, unheeded, with offshore drilling.

TOO MANY COMPROMISES The Belize government has made too many compromises with the present Guatemalan government. The new amendment to lower the referendum threshold need not have been one of them. But in politics, perception, like optics, becomes reality. The reality is that the Barrow Administration bowed to pressure from the current President of Guatemala. Since he took office, his government has raised the noise level over his country’s claim to Belize.

According to press reports, it has been alleged that the Belize Foreign Minister with the approval of his government, has given tacit approval to the Guatemalans for their excursions and now their exercise of sovereignty over the Sarstoon River. This river forms the southern border between the two countries until and if the claim is resolved by the ICJ. Not likely, and if so, at a serious cost to Belize.

That would not be surprising given the track record of the Belize Foreign Minister for diplomatic snafus. The only noise HE makes is about his special

“friends” in Guatemala, including his counterpart, who no longer takes his calls.

A CATEGORICAL LIE! The Barrow Administration has not denied these press reports. Neither have they denied similar assertions made by Guatemala and their control over the Sarstoon River. There is no unimpeded access for Belizeans to traverse the Sarstoon. It is a categorical lie!

Unless and until the Government of Belize issues a categorical denial of these reports and pronouncements, it has to be assumed, from the way the Guatemalans conduct themselves with impunity, and sovereignty over Belize’s southern waters, that some concession must have been made. If not, then the Belize government has not been able to protect Belize’s sovereignty. This is its first and foremost Constitutional responsibility.

DRAGGING ITS FEET During the debate on the second amendment to the Referendum Act which was simply an appeasement to Guatemala, the Leader of Government Business in the Senate made a very succinct point. He said that the amendment to the Referendum Act is to avoid “tyranny of the minority”. He added: “if you’re talking a democratic process, you would want at least the majority of the electorate”.

He is exactly right but confused.

This is this same man, who was also the Leader of Government Business in the Senate, who voted in favour of the first amendment to allow for the tyranny of the government. His argument in favour of the second amendment was exactly what was provided for until HIS government made the tyrannical move.

Is it mathematically possible to calculate that level of stupidity and to separate it from grandstanding?

PUP NOTICE The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the Corozal North Constituency that nominations are now being accepted for positions on the Constituency Executive Committee.

Positions for which nominations are being accepted ARE: 1. Chairperson 2. Deputy-Chairperson 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Assistant Treasurer 6. Campaign Manager 7. Deputy Campaign Manager 8. Communications Director 9. Logistics Coordinator The Closing Date for nominations for those interested in any position on the Corozal North Executive Committee is January 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

18 LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that Adam Bradley Ockey is applying for a renewal of a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Anchor Hospitality”, 160 Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

29 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

Barrow’s Pyrite Promises: Drill Baby! Drill!

Notice is hereby given that Denise Rosalina Ockey is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Belamari” , # 5865 Seashore Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Christian Riveroll is applying for a renewal of a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Dino’s Night Club” # 33 Queen Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Erroll Floyd Audinette is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Costless” Rock Stone Pond, Lucky Strike Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Juan Magana, Glenda Moreno & Titiana Bejerano are applying for a renewal of a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “D Spot Neighborhood Pub”, # 5 Hopkins Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Kevin Ghau is applying for a renewal of a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Golden Dragon Fast Food”, # 1 New Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Anna Mckay is applying for a renewal of a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Anna’s Lunch Box”, 311 Los Lagos, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Chen Jian Xing is applying for a renewal of a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Route 88 Restaurant & Sports Bar”, 81 A1 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Anna Lind is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Anna’s Mini Mart”, Burrell Boom Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

The "least that the government can do is to give these people their referendum. Actually, I would be prepared to support the government sponsoring the referendum to be held at an ample time. But why would there be a need for referendum now if the thing is subject to a moratorium and if I am prepared to enter into an agreement that would say that, that moratorium could only be lifted at certain circumstances.

If thereafter people still want a referendum, I don't know. Looks like we have to spend a lot of PetroCaribe money in addition to debt by the referendums."

-- Dean Barrow, press interview May 15, 2015 Dean Barrow is known for many things but one of the things he is best known for is for his crocodilian ability to speak out both sides of his mouth. His “talent” has not been lost upon the NGO Community which continues to fight against his sordid intent to explore for oil offshore at all costs.

In May of 2015 Dean Barrow, after much pressure from the Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage (the Coalition), made a public commitment to impose a moratorium on offshore oil exploration. A sleight of hand; since all concessionary leases relating to offshore drilling were due to expired in October 2015 and many of the concessionaires would not qualify for renewal since they had not met the conditions of the original concession. In his usual cunning form, Mr Barrow did leave the back door open by inserting the proviso that the moratorium would “only be lifted if conditions are right”. He did not say what those “conditions” were.

The NGO Community, understanding fully well the character that they were dealing with, remained alert nonetheless. Lo and behold their vigilance paid off when, in October 2016, the nation was informed that a seismic vessel, the Northern Explorer, was in Belizean waters and already conducting seismic surveys. The Coalition went into emergency response

mode, mobilizing all its partners and alerting the Belizean people of the backhanded move by the Barrow Administration. The peoples of San Pedro and Caye Caulker came out in numbers at a public meeting in San Pedro on 18th October 2015, attended by barefoot Manuel Heredia of Puerto Azul fame. Imagine, Manuel had the audacity to show up at the meeting pretending to care when in fact he knew all along that the Cabinet had approved the special arrangement with Seabird Exploration which would eventually leave the Belizean people on the hook for millions of dollars. Justifiably so, Manuel took a beating at that meeting!

What Belize needs to understand is that Mr. Barrow’s ego is almost as large as his head. He does not like to lose and his “promise” of a moratorium like all his other promises was simply made to deflect pressure. After all he had decided to call the elections later in 2015 and he was not prepared to face the political fallout from his bull headed desire to drill offshore.

Despite clear warning by the PUP, the average Belizean apparently did not grasp the terrible economic position in which Mr Barrow’s Petro-party had placed Belize’s finances. But Mr. Barrow knew that his

2017

outright bribery of the Belizean people was unsustainable, he needed fresh inflows of cash and he hoped desperately that relief would come from offshore exploration. He was prepared to risk Belize’s world heritage status and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Belizeans in order to satisfy his egomaniacal desire to be the first Prime Minster to win three consecutive general elections.

Mr Barrow cunningly decided to side step the environmentalist. Rather than award concessions to explore to individual companies the government would conduct the seismic surveys under the guise that the data was needed to ensure the safety of international shipping. The real intent of course was for the people of Belize to underwrite the seismic exploration activities after which the Barrow Administration would sell the data gathered to exploration companies if in fact there was a “find”. This is the special condition that he had referred to in May 2015 when he conceded the moratorium. This model, of course, is more dangerous to the public finances of Belize because once Barrow’s Cabinet has a sound idea of where the oil is actually located the lucrative concessions would then be given to their friends and cronies who would then be able to explore in a virtual risk-free environment.

Mr Barrow promised the people of Belize in May of 2015 that he would give them a referendum on the issue of offshore oil exploration. He made such a promise on the back of the PetroCaribe loan funds which he knew at the time he had all but squandered. The promise was therefore, like most of his many promises, a pyrite promise: fool’s gold!

We have looked on with amazement that neither the BTB nor the Fisheries Department has spoken out definitively against offshore drilling. How comes? If we are to believe the Coalition when they tell us of the risks involved with offshore drilling, then both the BTB and the Fisheries Department would become obsolete.

There would be no tourism to promote and no fisheries to harvest if there was to be a catastrophic oil spill offshore according to the Coalition.

Today the Coalition continues to press for a statutory moratorium as opposed to the policy-based moratorium offered by Dean. Meanwhile Dean has dodged and danced in order to avoid having to legislate the moratorium. The truth is he is must find oil, exports are down, petro done and the economy is in a deep recession…. we are all doomed! Oh wait! Where is our “Churchillian optimism”? The best is yet to come!

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the company named “AZURA CAPITAL S.A.” has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 20th day of January, 2017.

ICAZA BELIZE TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED

29 JAN

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

19

EDITORIAL en Español

U

LA GRAN DESCONEXIÓN

n radioescucha en un programa de entrevistas esta semana llamo al programa explicando de hecho, que en su casa al sur del país, no tiene electricidad ni agua potable.

Explico que tiene que ir buscando pozos de la zona para lograr agua potable para su familia. Igualmente, otra persona llamo al programa para lamentar lo difícil de su situación para amparar a su familia con un salario quincenal de $ 300 dólares agregando que es prácticamente imposible de superar.

Así continúo entrando muchas otras llamadas divulgando las difíciles situaciones de la realidad bajo este gobierno en donde más y más niños no cuentan con la facilidad básica como alimentación ni dinero disponible para que pudieran acceder a la educación.

Entre otros que llamaron al programa madres solteras expusieron sus situaciones personales sobre la pobreza extrema y la falta de acceso a la infraestructura. Cada semana continuamente entran llamadas al programa radial donde se expresan frustración de tantas cosas reales que los agobian en servicios sociales básicos.

Desde el crimen incontrolada, el hambre, la deplorable asistencia de salud, el desempleó y el pobre mantenimiento de las calles con los baches por donde quiera y una infraestructura deteriorada.

Pero en su discurso de Año Nuevo el Primer Ministro Dean Barrow orgullosamente habló destacando que 9 de cada 10 personas dentro de Belice son capaces de reclamar una mejor calidad de vida.

La pregunta relacionada ¿Dónde exactamente vive este hombre?

Hace unos días, en el municipio de Orange Walk, un anciano murió porque cuando fue al hospital regional no hubo médico disponible para atenderlo. Así mismo la semana pasada en el mismo hospital un niño fue para atención médica con lo que pareció ser una mordedura de serpiente, su cuerpo ya entumecido.

En vez de obtener acceso a la sala se urgencias tuvo que esperar horas antes de ser tratado y atendido. Esta semana, un hombre afirmó que su hermano fue involucrado en un lamentable accidente automovilístico donde perdió la vida pero aseguro que pudo haber vivido si la ambulancia que llamaron hubiese llegado.

Pero que nunca llego a la escena.

Existen rumores de una reducción en los servicios de emergencia en Belmopán por cortes en fondos presupuestarios que no será suficiente para prestar este indispensable servicio médico.

La verdad es que sin duda hay personas que mueren porque los servicios médicos básicos no están disponibles para ellos, o esos servicios se retrasan porque hay escasos recursos o no hay médicos. Esto no es propaganda política. Hemos visto que suceden repetidamente – con historias de terror.

Sin embargo, cada vez que el Primer Ministro o el Ministro de Salud habla sobre el estado de salud, lo reflejan es en términos brillantes. Y el pueblo sigue preguntando. ¿Dónde viven exactamente estos hombres? Por supuesto, sabemos que cada vez que el Primer Ministro o algún miembro de su familia están enfermos, agarran el siguiente avión para buscar atención médica en el exterior. Muy pocos de nosotros tenemos acceso a esas oportunidades.

En cada área de nuestra sociedad hay una verdadera desconexión entre nuestros líderes políticos y aquellos que no son tan privilegiados. Es como si hubieran perdido toda conciencia social

de lo que está sucediendo en nuestras familias, calles y en nuestras comunidades. Sabemos, porque somos los que lo sentimos, que hemos estado en una crisis económica por el tiempo más largo. Nosotros sabemos, porque ya lo estamos sintiendo, y se está asomando mucho peor por venir. Pero es como si, en virtud de su posición, nuestros líderes políticos estuviesen exentos de esas penurias.

En verdad, el mensaje de Año Nuevo del Primer Ministro Barrow fue aterrador con falta y carencia de sustancia verdadera y la comprensión alguna. Era surrealista. Habló como si todo estuviera bien y no hay necesidad de preocupación porque, según él, su gobierno nos ha guiado magníficamente y continuará guiándonos por las calles pavimentadas en oro. El señor Barrow es realmente un caso especial.

Este líder de la nación mostró esa misma cualidad "especial" en su enfoque a los tenedores de bonos que rechazaron su oferta, aludiendo en su respuesta concisa que parece que el señor Barrow simplemente no lo entiende. Él simplemente no entiende. El Sr. Barrow es un hombre naturalmente arrogante. Es quien es. Esa arrogancia se ha visto hinchada por el hecho, incuestionable, de que ha llevado a la UDP y tres mandatos consecutivos en el cargo, incluso si los fondos de Petrocaribe- lo financiaron.

Esa arrogancia es lo que llevó al Sr. Barrow a creer que podía lograr que los tenedores de bonos aceptaran cualquier cosa que Barrow tuviera que ofrecer sólo porque él se cree un dios entre los hombres. Pero los tenedores de bonos no quisieron ser parte de él.

Ya reconocen que el Primer Ministro es un hablador consumado, excepcional en lo que se refiere a los retóricos, pero incapaz de hacer entrega a lo que espera de él.

Habrá verdadera repercusiones para los beliceños, debido a la inhabilidad del Sr. Barrow para convencer a los tenedores de bonos de que tiene la capacidad de cambiar las cosas. Es una certeza virtual que el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) será un factor decisivo en lo que se nos avecina. Estamos en una situación que llevamos las de perder. Si el FMI llega, habrá recortes y mayores impuestos de renta agregada y medidas de austeridad como nunca antes habíamos visto. Si no hay acuerdo con los tenedores de bonos, Belice incumplirá su pago de cupones, con graves consecuencias económicas en un momento en el que menos podamos.

Al decir que el señor Barrow ha perdido sus cabales no es propaganda política maliciosa. Es una realidad. En su codicia por el poder político absoluta y la victoria de tres turnos ha llevado a esta nación y a su pueblo a un precipicio económico. Barrow ha permitido a sus Ministros de hacer lo que quieran con activos que teóricamente sólo deberían tener en cuenta para nosotros.

Estamos en un verdadero problema. Pero tal vez la ironía más viciosa es que el señor Barrow, seguirá siendo un hombre muy rico aun cuando salga de su cargo pronto, tendrá la facilidad de viajar por todo el mundo y vivir en el lujo con su familia sin preocuparse de la escabechina que dejo atrás. Los ministros actuales, muchos de los cuales ahora ya son millonarios, vivirán vidas de lujo sin preocuparse por la carnicería que queda. Los miembros de su familia y sus compinches, hinchados de la cuba pública, vivirán vidas de lujo sin pensar en la carnicería dejada atrás.

La Desconexión del Sr. Barrow nos ha costado mucho.

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ESPAÑOL

2929JAN JAN

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES

2017 2017

EE.UU. se retira del Acuerdo Transpacífico de Cooperación Económica

El exdictador panameño Noriega sale de prisión para ser operado de un tumor cerebral Panamá 24 de Enero 2017 La justicia panameña ha decidido que permanezca en arresto domiciliario en espera de la intervención quirúrgica Urgido de una intervención quirúrgica en el cerebro, el exdictador panameño Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno ha sido autorizado a salir temporalmente de prisión, según informó el abogado panameño Guillermo Cochez a EL PAÍS. Noriega, que fue arrestado en 1990 por narcotráfico en Panamá por tropas del Ejército de Estados Unidos, podrá celebrar por primera vez su cumpleaños en su hogar desde que fue encarcelado.

Cochez, exembajador de Panamá en la Organización de Estados Americanos y asesor del equipo jurídico de Noriega, explicó que el exgeneral, que cumplirá 83 años el próximo 11 de febrero, se someterá a una cirugía en los próximos días en la cabeza por un tumor benigno y que, por recomendación médica, luego deberá permanecer un tiempo en su residencia en la capital panameña para su recuperación. El fallo a favor de Noriega fue adoptado por la Sala Penal de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, precisó Cochez.

El hospital público panameño en el que Noriega será intervenido carece de las características esenciales para el posoperatorio. Los médicos a los que la Corte ordenó que inspeccionaran la residencia de Noriega determinaron que la casa reúne las condiciones para recuperarse de la cirugía, relató Cochez.

El diario La Prensa, el principal de la capital panameña, informó que el abogado panameño Ezra Ángel, del equipo jurídico de Noriega, dijo que “la medida aún no ha sido ejecutada, por lo que el exdictador continúa en la cárcel”, a las afueras de la ciudad de Panamá, agregó el rotativo.

El Gobierno de Panamá, por su lado, aclaró en comunicado que el sistema penitenciario todavía “no ha recibido” de la Corte “notificación de fallo o decisión en relación con un posible depósito domiciliario” del exgeneral Noriega.

Con un deteriorado estado de salud, el exdictador ha estado preso en la cárcel El Renacer desde diciembre de 2011.

Después de cumplir 20 años de condena por narcotráfico en Estados Unidos, Noriega fue enviado en 2010 a Francia donde fue condenado a siete años de prisión por lavado de dinero procedente del narcotráfico. Pero en diciembre de 2011 el país galo lo extraditó a Panamá donde se enfrentó a tres condenas de 20 años cada una por crímenes cometidos durante su régimen, incluida la desaparición y muerte del médico opositor Hugo Spadafora.

Además Noriega espera ser enjuiciado, entre otros presuntos delitos, por la desaparición y muerte del sindicalista izquierdista panameño Heliodoro Portugal en un misterioso episodio ocurrido en 1970 cuando el ahora degradado exgeneral comandaba el espionaje militar de la ya desaparecida Guardia Nacional (GN) de Panamá y era un aliado de la CIA en la lucha contra las guerrillas comunistas en América Latina y el Caribe.

Panamá fue gobernada en esa época con mano dura por el general Omar Torrijos, convertido entonces en hombre fuerte de ese país desde que en octubre de 1968 fue parte de los cabecillas de un golpe de Estado en contra de Arnulfo Arias Madriz, presidente de turno que completó apenas 11 días de gestión. Por su lealtad a Torrijos y como jefe de una zona militar fronteriza con Costa Rica, Noriega pasó a ser el jerarca del aparato de inteligencia, consolidó sus nexos con la CIA y dirigió las operaciones represivas a los opositores, con los partidos políticos panameños disueltos o declarados en la ilegalidad.

Tras la muerte de Torrijos en un misterioso accidente aéreo en 1981, Noriega entró en la pugna con sus rivales en las filas militares y en 1983 asumió la jefatura de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Panamá. En ese cargo estuvo hasta diciembre de 1989, cuando tropas de EE UU invadieron Panamá y le capturaron en enero de 1990, para trasladarlo a Florida. En el país norteamericano fue condenado a 40 años de prisión por narcotráfico y delitos de narcoactividad.

23 de Enero 2017 El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, firmó este lunes la orden ejecutiva para sacar a Estados Unidos del Acuerdo Transpacífico de Cooperación Económica (TPP), que buscaba formar la mayor zona de libre comercio del mundo.

El presidente Donald Trump pone fin a la participación de Estados Unidos en el Acuerdo Transpacífico (TPP) negociado por el gobierno de Barack Obama y visto como un contrapeso a la influencia creciente de China.

Esta iniciativa es la primera decisión del nuevo presidente republicano, que durante la campaña denunció con vehemencia este acuerdo "terrible", que "viola", según él, los intereses de los trabajadores estadounidenses.

El texto, promovido por Washington y que supuestamente modela las reglas del comercio del siglo XXI, fue firmado en 2015 pero todavía no ha entrado en vigor.

El tratado ha sido firmado por 12 países: Australia, Brunei, Canadá, Chile, Japón, Malasia, México, Nueva Zelanda, Perú, Singapur, Estados Unidos y Vietnam, que representan el 40% de la economía mundial.

EL primer ministro japonés Shinzo Abe, gran defensor del acuerdo, estimó que el TPP Cont’do pagina 21

GOBIERNO DE TRUMP AGRADECE EXTRADICIÓN DEL CHAPO El Chapo es acusado de 17 delitos en una corte de Nueva York y que puede ser condenado a cadena perpetua.

El encargado de pronunciarse sobre la extradición del capo fue el general retirado John Kelly, nuevo secretario del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos.

"El desarrollo significativo de la semana pasada en la investigación a largo plazo contra el narcotraficante Joaquín Chapo Guzmán marca un importante punto de partida al traer al supuesto líder de la organización de narcotráfico más grande del mundo ante la Justicia por sus crímenes", afirmó Kelly.

En un breve comunicado, Kelly dirigió sus felicitaciones a Peña Nieto; al secretario de Relaciones Exteriores, Luis Videgaray; y el

nuevo fiscal general de México, Raúl Cervantes Andrade.

"Felicito al Gobierno de México, específicamente al presidente Peña Nieto, al secretario Luis Videgaray y al procurador general Raúl Cervantes Andrade y a todos los involucrados en su arresto hace más de un año, así como a los encargados de su transferencia sin interrupciones de la custodia mexicana a la estadounidense", dijo.

Guzmán, quien estaba recluido en un penal de Ciudad Juárez, llegó el jueves por la noche a EE. UU., horas antes de que Barack Obama entregara la Presidencia al republicano Donald Trump.

El capo fue recapturado el 8 de enero del 2016 en su natal estado de Sinaloa luego de la polémica fuga que protagonizó el 11 de julio del 2015 del penal del Altiplano, en el estado de México.

El que fue enemigo público

El Gobierno de Donald Trump agradeció el lunes al presidente de México, Enrique Peña Nieto, la extradición a EE. UU. del líder del cartel de Sinaloa, Joaquín el Chapo Guzmán. número uno para Estados Unidos luego de la muerte de Osama Bin Laden se enfrenta en la corte del Distrito Este de Nueva York, con sede en Brooklyn, a la acusación conjunta de la Fiscalía de Miami y de Nueva York, quienes tenían los casos más fuertes frente a otras acusaciones del resto del país.

En su primer comunicado como titular de Seguridad Nacional, Kelly dijo estar "orgulloso de liderar" ese departamento y de trabajar con las fuerzas del orden estadounidenses que han colaborado con sus homólogos mexicanos para "asegurarse de que uno de los hombres más buscados del mundo sea juzgado en un tribunal de EE. UU.".

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2017

México fija 10 puntos como base de nueva relación con EE. UU.

18 JAN

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES 2015

PRISIÓN PREVENTIVA PARA EL HERMANO Y EL HIJO DEL PRESIDENTE DE GUATEMALA POR CORRUPCIÓN Guatemala : 24 Enero 2017 La juez Silvia de León, titular del Juzgado Sexto del Ramo Penal, dictó este miércoles prisión preventiva para José Manuel Morales, de 23años, hijo del presidente de Guatemala, Jimmy Morales, y para el hermano del mandatario, Sammy Morales, de 49, por el delito de fraude, aunque rechazó, “por no existir indicios racionales”, el delito de lavado de dinero que la Fiscalía imputaba a Sammy Morales.

Según la Fiscalía, el hijo del mandatario presentó una factura del restaurante Fulanos y menganos, librada a nombre del Registro de la Propiedad, por un monto de 90.000 quetzales (unos 16.000 dólares) para un desayuno institucional de 564 personas que nunca se sirvió. Samuel Sammy Morales solicitó —según la acusación— la factura al propietario del establecimiento, muy ligado al presidente y al partido de Gobierno, como un favor a su sobrino. A ambos se les imputa el delito de fraude, al utilizar el sistema bancario para movilizar los fondos.

El escándalo corresponde al llamado Botín Registro de la Propiedad, uno de los principales expolios de la gestión del expresidente Otto Pérez Molina y su vicepresidenta, Roxana Baldetti, y por el que están en prisión 22 personas, entre ellas la extitular de la dependencia, Anabella de León.

La investigación condujo prim-

23 de Enero 2017 El presidente de México, Enrique Peña Nieto, enumeró el lunes los 10 principios que deberán guiar las nuevas relaciones con Estados Unidos.

"México no cree en los muros", dijo Peña Nieto en un acto en la residencia oficial de Los Pinos, acompañado por todo su gabinete, legisladores y representantes del sector empresarial y sindical.

Peña Nieto también dijo que buscará una "negociación integral" con el nuevo Gobierno de EE. UU., que incluya todos los temas, y pidió que cualquier repatriación de indocumentados se lleve a cabo de "manera ordenada y coordinada". Éstos son los 10 puntos más destacados del discurso de Peña Nieto: 1. El mandatario mexicano pidió un "trato humano" para los migrantes mexicanos en EE. UU., que el gobernante estadounidense pretende deportar, y defendió el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN), que este último quiere renegociar.

2. Entre los objetivos de la negociación, Peña Nieto dijo que buscará que "cualquier proceso de repatriación de migrantes indocumentados que realice el Gobierno de EE. UU. sea de manera ordenada y coordinada".

3. EE. UU. y México deben trabajar coordinados y unidos para impulsar el desarrollo de los países que integran Centroamérica.

4. Garantizar y proteger "el libre flujo de remesas de los connacionales que viven en EE. UU., evitando que se dificulte o encarezca su envío".

5. Que el gobierno de Trump se comprometa para detener "las amenazas terroristas y el trafico ilegal de drogas, armas y efectivo"

Samuel Morales llega ayer a la corte tras su detención en Ciudad de Guatemala

ero al descubrimiento de las llamadas plazas fantasma (sueldos a empleados inexistentes durante la Administración anterior) que costaban al presupuesto de la institución más de tres millones de quetzales al mes (unos 536.000 dólares) y posteriormente sacó a luz el caso del desayuno.

La fiscal general, Thelma Aldana, y el jefe de la Comisión Internacional Contra la Impunidad en Guatemala (Cicig, patrocinada por la ONU), Iván Velázquez, informaron en rueda de prensa de las irregularidades que permitieron la estafa. Con documentos en mano detallaron cómo José Manuel Morales habría conseguido junto a su tío que el restaurante implicado cobrara dos fac-

ESPAÑOL

turas por sendos eventos jamás celebrados y que permitieron a particulares ligados al partido de Gobierno apropiarse de 269.933 quetzales (unos 48.200 dólares).

“El imperio de la ley debe prevalecer sobre todas las cosas”, escribió este miércoles Jimmy Morales en Twitter. El vicepresidente, Jafeth Cabrera, dijo que el Ejecutivo seguirá normalmente con su agenda de trabajo y que habrá que esperar a que los tribunales se pronuncien sobre la culpabilidad o la inocencia del hermano y el hijo del mandatario. El escándalo amenaza con convertirse en un golpe demoledor del que difícilmente se levantará el mandatario, cuyo lema de campaña a la presidencia fue, precisamente, “ni corrupto, ni ladrón”.

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hacia México.

6. Peña Nieto también pide preservar el comercio entre México, EE. UU. y Canadá y defendió el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN), que Trump quiere renegociar.

7. En el tema de las telecomunicaciones México pide a Trump la modernización del marco normativo del TLCAN que deben incluir "nuevos sectores" como las telecomunicaciones, la energía o el comercio electrónico.

8. México quiere que sus empleados en EE. UU. tengan mejores salarios por lo que Peña dijo que la modernización del marco normativo del TLCAN también ha de servir para mejorar los salarios de los empleados mexicanos, haciendo del comercio "un instrumento poderoso para proteger los empleos actuales y crear" más puestos de trabajo.

9. Inversiones: en su discurso, Peña Nieto también aseguró que protegería las inversiones en México, tanto la nacional como la extranjera, con el argumento de que el país es un "destino confiable y atractivo".

10. Frontera: Aunque reconoció el derecho soberano de Estados Unidos de garantizar su seguridad, reiteró que México no "cree en los muros" y que su voluntad con EE. UU., su principal socio con un intercambio comercial anual de más de 500 mil millones de dólares, es la de "tender puentes". "Nuestra frontera debe ser nuestro mejor espacio de convivencia, un espacio de seguridad, prosperidad y desarrollo compartido", afirmó.

EE.UU. se retira del Acuerdo Transpacífico de Cooperación Económica Cont’do de pagina 20 sin Estados Unidos "no tendría sentido". ¿Qué es el TPP? • Reunión empresarial El presidente estadounidense Donald Trump recibió el lunes por la mañana a 12 empresarios en la Casa Blanca y les prometió bajadas "masivas" de impuestos y la reducción del 75% de las regulaciones.

"Creemos que podemos reducir la normativa en un 75%, quizás más", afirmó, asegurando, sin dar detalles sobre sus proyectos, que la seguridad de los trabajadores y la protección del medio ambiente estarían garantizadas.

"Vamos a bajar los impuestos masivamente, tanto para la clase media como para las compañías", señaló, incidiendo en su voluntad de "hacer volver los empleos" a Estados Unidos y favorecer la producción en suelo estadounidense.

Entre los dirigentes e empresas presentes en la Casa Blanca figuraban en particular Mark Fields (Ford), Marillyn Hewson (Lockheed Martin), Alex Gorsky (Johnson & Johnson), Michael Dell (Dell), Elon Musk (SpaceX) y Kevin Plank (Under Armour).

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29 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

NOTICE

2017

ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

BERWYN HOLDING LTD. # 125, 226 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that BERWYN HOLDING LTD. has been dissolved as at 18th January, 2017 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

Notices Vacancies – Village Councils

The general public is hereby notified that in accordance with Part 111, Sections 6 and 9 of the Village Councils Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, the following Village Councils have declared vacancies within their councils as follows: 1.

Villages Boston Willows Bank

MACLACHLAN & DENNIN LIMITED Registered Agent

Belize District Names Positions Sergio Lopez Member Shana Lopez Member

Reasons Resignation Resignation

By-Elections – Boston and Willows Bank Villages The general public is hereby notified that in accordance with Part 111, Section 9 of the Village Councils Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, by-elections to fill the vacant posts of Members in the Boston and Willows Bank Village Councils are scheduled for Sunday, 26th February 2017 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Village Community Centers.

NOTICE SELDOM LTD. # 105, 808 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that SELDOM LTD. has been dissolved as at 18th January, 2017 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Villages Names Positions Reasons Santana 3 Vacancies Members Vacant Rockstone Pond 1 Vacant Member Vacant Lemonal 1 Vacant Member Vacant

By-Elections – Santana, Rockstone Pond and Lemonal Villages The general public is hereby notified that in accordance with Part 111, Section 6 of the Village Councils Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003 and Section 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 134 of 2009, by-elections to fill the vacant posts of Members in the Santana, Rockstone Pond and Lemonal Village Councils are scheduled for Sunday, 26th February 2017 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Village Community Centers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.

Village Arenal

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; Belize District

BY ORDER of the Supreme Court of Belize, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following property ON SITE (Villa 7 Reef Village Estates, just north of the San Pedro Bridge, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on Monday 30th January 2017 at 1:00 pm:

Villa 7 Reef Village, Reef Village Estates, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District:

Cayo District Names Positions Orlando Sanchez Chairperson Lucio Ruiz Member

Reasons Deceased Resignation

By-Election – Arenal Village The general public is hereby notified that in accordance with Part 111, Section 9 of the Village Councils Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, by-election to fill the vacant posts of Chairperson and Member in the Arenal Village Council is scheduled for Sunday, 26th February 2017 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. at the La Immaculada RC School.

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3.

Village San Benito Poite

Toledo District Name Position Francisco Ack Member

Reason Deceased

By-Election – San Benito Poite Village The general public is hereby notified that in accordance with Part 111, Section 9 of the Village Council Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, byelection to fill the vacant post of Member in the San Benito Poite Village Council is scheduled for Sunday, 26th, February 2017 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Village Community Center.

REGISTRATION SECTION San Pedro

BLOCK

PARCEL

7

Villa 7 (5227-H108)

(Being an elevated, waterway, concrete villa containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + lanai + roof top patio situate in the Reef Village Estates Development, north of the San Pedro Bridge, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, the freehold property of Messrs. Reef Village Estates Limited) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Villages Names Positions Reasons Aguacate 3 Vacancies Members Vacant San Miguel 2 Vacancies Members Vacant Pueblo Viejo 3 Vacancies Members Vacant San Lucas 2 Vacancies Members Vacant

By-Elections – San Lucas, Aguacate, Pueblo Viejo and San Miguel Villages The general public is hereby notified that in accordance with Part 111, Section 6 of the Village Councils Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, and Section 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 134 of 2009, by-election to fill the vacant posts of Members in the Aguacate and San Miguel Village Councils are scheduled for Sunday, 26th, February 2017 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Village Community Centers. The by-elections to fill the vacant posts of Members in the Pueblo Viejo and San Lucas Village Councils are scheduled for Sunday, 26th, February 2017 from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the San Francisco Jeronimo and San Lucas Roman Catholic Schools respectively.

29 JAN

23

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below company has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the below date: VALDEVAQUEROS, LTD. – January 20th, 2017 ALEMAN, CORDERO, GALINDO & LEE TRUST (BELIZE) LIMITED

NOTICE Cobrain Investment Corporation # 149, 876 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that GRANADINE VENTURES CORPORATION has been dissolved as at 19th January, 2017 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

PUP NOTICE

PUP NOTICE

The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the Port Loyola Constituency that nominations are now being accepted for positions on the Constituency Executive Committee.

Positions for which nominations are being accepted ARE: 1. Chairperson 2. Deputy-Chairperson 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Assistant Treasurer 6. Campaign Manager 7. Deputy Campaign Manager 8. Communications Director 9. Logistics Coordinator

The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the Orange Walk East Constituency that nominations are now being accepted for positions on the Constituency Executive Committee.

Positions for which nominations are being accepted ARE: 1. Chairperson 2. Deputy-Chairperson 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Assistant Treasurer 6. Campaign Manager 7. Deputy Campaign Manager 8. Communications Director 9. Logistics Coordinator

The Closing Date for nominations for those interested in any position on the Port Loyola Executive Committee is January 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

The Closing Date for nominations for those interested in any position on the Orange Walk East Executive Committee is January 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

PUP NOTICE

PUP NOTICE

The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the Belmopan Constituency that nominations are now being accepted for positions on the Constituency Executive Committee.

Positions for which nominations are being accepted ARE: 1. Chairperson 2. Deputy-Chairperson 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Assistant Treasurer 6. Campaign Manager 7. Deputy Campaign Manager 8. Communications Director 9. Logistics Coordinator

The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the Pickstock Division that nominations are now being accepted for positions on the Constituency Executive Committee.

Positions for which nominations are being accepted ARE: 1. Chairperson 2. Deputy-Chairperson 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Assistant Treasurer 6. Campaign Manager 7. Deputy Campaign Manager 8. Communications Director 9. Logistics Coordinator

The Closing Date for nominations for those interested in any position on the Belmopan Executive Committee is January 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

The Closing Date for nominations for those interested in any position on the Pickstock Division Executive Committee is January 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

29 JAN

2017