Belize Times March 19, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

19 MARCH 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5037

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

DUMMY-NOMICS Barrow Presents BULLS*#T BUDGET!

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 On Monday, March 13th, Mr. Barrow presented his budget for the fiscal year 2017/2018. Incredibly, it was entitled Bouncing Back…A Bold Belizean Recovery.

Belize’s most arrogant Prime Minister, the current one who is presiding over the most corrupt government in the country, must now carry the title of the most wasteful and liad Prime Minister.

For a man who squandered almost 400 million dollars of PetroCaribe monies to win the last general election, Mr. Barrow has the face of brass to announce this Monday that his budget will increase taxes on the suffering people of Belize.

In addition to the squandering and theft that must have occurred with the huge

amount of 400 million dollars (for which there has been no audit) Mr. Barrow lied to Belizeans in September 2015. He claimed he was in Florida for health reasons (he is afflicted with a back pain that all his millions cannot cure) but instead he secretly met with Lord Ashcroft in an undisclosed hotel room. In a secret accommodation contract he signed over to Ashcroft more than 562 million dollars for having illegally taken B.T.L. Do the arithmetic - 400 million plus 562 million adds up to 962 million dollars or just under ONE BILLION dollars. This large amount of money could have seen taxes reduced for Belizeans. Thousands of young

KEONA WAS TORTURED AND BURNED Pg. 2

WHO'S TO BLAME FOR JORDANIE’S DEATH? Pg. 2

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MONTERO: MALICIOSO Y MENTIROSO!

Pg. 2

SAY NO TO OFFSHORE DRILLING! Pg. 3

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KEONA WAS TORTURED AND BURNED Wednesday, 15 March 2017 As we go to press, the family of Keona Gabby Ara, 18, is preparing to say goodbye to their loved one. The teenager, a resident of Blackman Eddy, was stabbed multiple times before her throat was cut. Her body was then taken to the Belmopan dump four miles outside that municipality and burned. If not for an alert watchman at the dump, that fire would have consumed her completely and she would have been lost to her family.

That watchman, just before 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon, noticed something burning at the rear of the dump and when he realized what it was, called his supervisor who then called in the Police. By that time Ara’s body was almost completely burned, but Police were able to take photos of her arm which bore distinctive tattoos.

Belmopan Police have remained tight-lipped about the

DUMMY-NOMICS

Continued from page 1 people could have received scholarships; a thousand low income houses could have been built. The hospitals could have been filled with medicines and the price of fuel could have been reduced by four dollars a gallon.

Every year that the cost of living goes up and the price of butane, petrol and other basic necessities continues to rise, Mr. Barrow in his lying, deceiving style introduces his hocus-pocus budgets, telling the nation things are getting better, in the face of every evidence that things are getting worse.

Yes, it is getting better for ex-wife Lois Young Barrow, son Anwar Barrow (now a millionaire), son Shyne Jamal Moses Levi et al convict Barrow who has been touring the world as an Ambassador appointed by his Prime Minister father. Shyne is on record telling the Jamaican media that he will be replacing his sick, outgoing Daddy Dean. Present wife Kim is also a world touring wannabe model and red carpet star mixing with Hollywood types and engaging in fundraising activities for which there is no accounting. She too has been made an Ambassador by her Prime Minister husband.

And yes, things are going great for the Ministers, the hustlers and crony gangsters that have been selling visas, passports, nationality documents, lease land and title to choice properties for years with no one ever getting arrested or fired. One Minister has not only been clearing the land, he was clearing out the taxpayers’ monies from his Ministry, paying for his son’s expensive racing cycles and family funeral and any other misuse of funds he could get away with.

But for the rest of the country, poverty is at 50 percent of the population. Crime is at an all-time high, murders have reached an epidemic, civil war proportions, fuel cost is one of the highest in the world at over ten dollars a gallon and expected to rise in the dummy-nomics practiced by Barrow. More young people are out of school than those attending and the word job is no longer in existence under the worst Prime Minister and the worst government to burden the country.

The figures speak for themselves. The government, is the face of all things that continue to go wrong, could not hide the harsh fact that this financial year it will once again be spending more money than it can collect. In other words, the Barrow budget like BarrowBond 3.0 is a lie, a deception and a fraud.

LOCAL

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

WEATHER

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incident, but we have been able to confirm that three persons have been detained for questioning – two males and one female who is well known to Police. While we will not release her name until she is charged, she was reportedly out on bail for a sensational robbery which took place in Belmopan in 2016.

Investigators, we are told, believe that the bizarre murder took place because of jealousy.

While they are awaiting instructions from the Office of the DPP, the Belize Times is also reliably informed the Ara’s clothes and bloodstains were found in the home of the female, and more

2017

blood was found in her car.

Today Ara’s mother, distraught, told the Belize Times that she thanks God at least for the fact that the tattoos on her daughter’s body allowed her to be identified. That way she can at least lay her daughter to rest properly. She told us that her daughter always called her a superhero, and she will not rest until there is justice for those that hurt her child and took her away from the family.

MONTERO: MALICIOSO Y MENTIROSO! Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Cayo Central Area Representative Hon. Rene Montero engaged the Police to do his malicious and self-serving bidding on Sunday. They locked out dozens of jockeys and horses plus spectators from the Peter August Memorial Racetrack in Santa Elena under the ruse that the managing authority was renovating the track. But in the days prior to the race, there were no signs of any ongoing works and then suddenly the day before the race, a sign pops up at the compound giving notice of renovations.

The duly registered Twin Towns Jockey Club from Santa Elena had spent weeks organizing the race, inviting participants all the way from Crooked Tree, Belize District. Those guest jockeys made the long and expensive trip to Santa Elena only to be met by padlocked gates and armed police blocking the entrance.

The weeks of preparation had entailed cleaning and bush hogging the

track; seeking permission for the race from the Town Council; paying a liquor license; obtaining a concession for drinks from Bowen and Bowen; paying the police to provide security; advertising the race and training on the field on multiple occasions.

Speaking on Adjournment inside the House of Representatives on Monday March 13, Cayo Northeast Area Representative, Hon. Orlando Habet shared that in view of the police lockdown with 6 mobiles blocking the entrances, the horse owners and horse race enthusiasts joined in protest and walked around the track with their horses in tow. The police then called in the riot squad with their heavy weaponry and one officer even sprayed pepper spray into the air for it to reach the group and horses. Hon. Habet labelled it political highhandedness, abuse of power; and unnecessary use of po-

WHO'S TO BLAME FOR JORDANIE’S DEATH? Wednesday, 15 March 2017 Today Director of Health Services Dr. Marvin Manzanero confirmed to the Belize Times that the Ministry of Health is aware of the sudden death of Jordanie Olivera, 23, and will be conducting a review today to find out who or what is responsible. The young woman, who was pregnant, collapsed and died while waiting for a flight to Belize City after the San Pedro Polyclinic was allegedly unable to treat her.

Reports from the island indicate that Olivera was released from the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II at 2:55pm and made her way to Tropic Air where she booked a flight to Belize City.

When personnel at the airline noticed that she was in distress they allegedly tried to arrange an emergency flight in but minutes before boarding she was experiencing what staff referred to as “breathing complications” and she passed away.

Friends of Olivera, off the record, told the Belize Times that Olivera was suffering a miscarriage, and staff of the Polyclinic were unable to perform a procedure known as a D&C to assist her.

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They claim that she bled out, and that is what caused her death. Of course, the official cause of death will be determined by a post-mortem examination which will likely be conducted today or tomorrow.

Meanwhile the family is grieving and looking for answers. It is hoped that some of those answers will be provided at the medical review which will be carried out today.

The BelizeTimes notes that there have been many complaints about the lack of adequate medical care on Ambergris Caye which caters to many thousands of tourists throughout the year. We are told that there are only two doctors who operate the polyclinic on a 24-hour basis. Additionally, despite the development on the island, there is still no morgue or facility where bodies can be preserved, and arrangements must be made to bring in those bodies by boat.

We note, also, that there are no provisions for expanded medical care or for a morgue in the budget read by prime Minister Dean Barrow on Monday.

lice force. Habet said Supt. Richard Rosado, OIC, San Ignacio Police even warned that he (Habet) would be arrested as he was following orders from the managing authority of the horse race track to halt the event.

Among those affected by the highhandedness of the political directorate, were the youth who make a living from horse racing. Additionally, the women who had rented the stalls ended up with their food unsold. “We understood then that all this was coming from instructions given by the member for Cayo Central…I do not know if the member for Cayo Central no longer wants to be involved in politics and does not want to go for re-election. But what people were saying is that this is likened to political masochism. From the sentiments of the people of Santa Elena who are his constituents, I would like to say that this is tantamount to political castration,” stated Habet.

In presenting “the facts,” the Hon. Rene Montero lied multiple times. He stated that the only registered jockey club is the Cayo Belmo Jockey Club when the Twin Towns Jockey Club has been registered since 2007. He then affirmed that he is not a part of the Horse Racing Committee. However, a letter has since surfaced showing that on March 7th, the Hon. Rene Montero wrote a letter on behalf of the Cayo Central Horse Racing Committee inviting participants to the Holy Saturday Horse Race Classic and asking for prize donations. Montero also lied on the Hon. Habet reading from a redacted text message alleging that Habet had threatened Superintendent Richard Rosado’s future employment. The Hon. Habet has since set the record straight on social media posting the exchange between himself and the Officer in Charge.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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21 Mar

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19 MAR

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

PM’s Office Flooded With Reef Saving Petitions Monday, March 13, 2017 A whopping total of 265,000 online petitions from Belizeans and people around the world were delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday March 10th. The dozens of boxes were dropped off by a group of conservationists led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage. The petitions were collected starting in April 2016 to encourage the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean. O. Barrow to do more to protect the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site.

The reef has been on UNESCO’s danger list since 2009. The conservationists affirm that the government has fallen behind in meeting some of the requirements to get the reef off that list. Valentino Shal, WWF’s advocacy lead in Belize informed that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is expected to meet for its yearly session in July this year in Poland and the Government of Belize must report on the progress in ensuring that it is fully protecting Belize’s Barrier Reef. Shal disclosed, “Unfortunately, we have not made significant progress. We have made some progress but there are still

quite a few things to do and so we are bringing this to the attention of the Prime Minister so that he can take the necessary measures that need to be taken.” For instance, “the legislation to ban offshore oil

BTIA REJECTS BARROW’S TAX MEASURES Wednesday, 15 March 2017 In a release issued this afternoon, the Belize Tourism Industry Association firmly rejected tourism-related tax measures introduced by the Prime Minister to bridge a massive shortfall in his budget. Rather, The BTIA instead recommends that “the proposed amendment to increase the Conservation (PACT) Fee (and consequently the Departure Tax) be withdrawn.” Additionally, as regards Barrow’s decision to tax statutory bodies 10% of their revenues, the BTIA is recommending that it be exempted from that tax and that the proposed PACT (Amendment) Act be rescinded.

The BTIA also calls on GOB to “consult with stakeholders about incentives and initiatives that will increase and promote the growth of the tourism industry in Belize without raising taxes,” which suggests that contrary to Mr. Barrow’s claim of widespread consultations, the tax measures were implemented arbitrarily.

The release goes on to state that “The potential negative impacts to the tourism industry through an increase in the departure tax (to US$59.25) have not been properly analysed nor consult-

John Burgos, BTIA Executive Director ed with industry stakeholders. Belize is already a tourist destination with high costs in comparison to the region. Belize must remain competitive, not more expensive as a destination.”

The Belize Times understands that the BTIA is not the only statutory body which is reacting with concern and even outrage at the announced tax measures which were apparently decided behind closed doors. There are others, like BAHA and the Coastal Zone Management Authority which are already claiming that they cannot continue to operate with a cut of 10% of their annual revenues.

was announced in December 2015 but no such legislation has been passed as yet by the Government. We know some of those things are in progress but the pace needs to be picked up. We need to treat this with a lot more urgency...

This resource is one of the main bases of our tourism industry…

It’s not just protecting it as a World

03 3 Heritage Site but also we depend on this, our economy depends on this,” remarked Shal.

That apart, Shal shared that the reef is something that we Belizeans celebrate as part of our identity. “When we think about Belize we think about the cayes, we think about the reef, we think about the Blue Hole and when we have visitors and friends who come, this is what we share with them,” he noted.

Janelle Chanona, vice president of Oceana Belize referred to expert advice that speaks to a safety zone for the reef of more than 200 kilometres. She added that Belize should therefore not be moving ahead with issuing oil exploration concessions.

Friday’s event was coordinated to coincide with the start of Reef Week and was considered historic because it is the first petition in Belize that has obtained such support. The event marked a milestone in the campaign which continues even now. To sign the petition, you can go to panda.org/ belize.

Speaking of the delivery after Monday’s House Meeting, Prime Minister Dean Barrow who was not in office to receive the petitions, stated, “That’s always a good thing and I applaud it” but he admitted that he had not yet seen them.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that a deal has already been struck between Attorney-General Michael Peyrefitte and his sister to allow Peyrefitte to run in Queen Square when the PM leaves office this year?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister further confirm or deny reports that Peyrefitte is also being groomed for the top spot in the party since a majority of Cabinet members have told him that they will not support Patrick Faber?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that Mark Espat and Michael Peyrefitte received more than $5M for their work to restructure BarrowBond 3.0?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works please say who is this ‘Sonny’ who is depositing money into his daughter’s US bank account for him? Could he further say what services or goods he provided to ‘Sonny’ in return for that $50,000?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works please confirm or deny reports that the land on which the Peter August Racetrack lies has actually been subdivided and is privately owned? Could he further say if he is the owner of that land?

Would the Member for Orange Walk East and junior Minister of Police please say how much it is costing taxpayers for around the clock Police bodyguards for disgraced politician and Member for Orange Walk North Gaspar Vega?

Considering that it is International Women’s Month, would the Special Envoy for Women and Children please say if she can intervene in the domestic disputes involving the Member for Albert and junior Minister of Economic Development, since neighbours are starting to complain?

19 MAR

2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

Sick…

Makes me sick to hear the news about a young girl who was stabbed and her throat cut before she was taken to the Belmopan dump and burned like some piece of damned garbage. Don’t know what’s happening to some of our people. We don’t have to look too far to find the monsters among us. Real! You know what’s worse? Whoever killed and burned that poor girl will probably walk, like most of the monsters caught committing these bizarre crimes. The government doesn’t give a shit about crime because it hasn’t touched them where it hurts. In this latest bullshit budget presented by this disgrace we call Prime Minister, there is no allocation to bolster the DPP’s office, no allocation for a DNA/Forensic Lab, no new resources for the Police and no new resources for the Judiciary. We’re screwed, and nobody in power cares.

Senseless…

As I write this, there is news that another young woman is dead. She died because the health system failed her.

According to reports she was in pain and went to the San Pedro Polyclinic for treatment and they sent her away to get transportation to the city. She passed away while waiting for a flight. But see…every time Pablo Marin stands up in the House, he boasts about all that he has done in health, and we sit there and take it. As a people we didn’t stand up when all those newborns died at the KHMH. We didn’t stand up when so many Belizeans died senselessly because of malpractice or negligence or no ambulance or no equipment or no medication. And now this young lady is dead because the San Pedro Polyclinic failed her. And we’ll take it. Meanwhile the same bullshit budget we all listened to has no new allocations for health, so absolutely nothing will change.

Ram It… So there’s been outright mutiny in Cabinet. Ministers have put their collective foot down, I hear. Seems that they want nothing to do with contestant number one, whose hobbies include beating up on defenceless women, drinking himself senseless and SUV surfing. But there’s also a problem with contestant number two, whose hobbies include posing nude while drunk, boxers parties and football.

So incredibly, the Prime Minister has decided that he should go with Mr. Ram It, who would probably be hard-pressed to get up the energy to ram anything right now without having a heart attack. It’s complicated…but the way I understand it, Mark Espat is the one who planted this tarnished gem in the PM’s head, and now hurried plans are being made to push Mike into Queen Square and then on into leadership.

Crazy, isn’t it? Let me go get some popcorn and coke cause this is going to be good.

Jackass…

I figure it must be the air out West cause last week it was Alberto August getting the National Jackass award and this week the dubious honour goes to that really foolish little man, Rene Montero. I just don’t get it. So he decides that he won’t allow a horse race to take place over the weekend because nobody asked his permission. So he gets the Police to block the gate, which is all kinds of wrong. Then he goes to the House and tells the stupidest story you ever heard while being unable to tell the difference between a man and a woman – he kept calling Laura Longsworth Mr. Speaker. Lerd, my only consolation in this life is knowing that Montero will be looking at some jail time soon if God is good, and God is always good. Amen!

The Police Tho… It’s interesting. Montero, our National Jackass, claimed in the House that the Hon. Landy Espat threatened the Officer Commanding Cayo. Then he proceeds to haul out his phone and read off some text he says Habet sent to the OC. He had a little trouble there cause some of the words had more than four letters, but anyway, how in the hell would Montero get hold of a text sent to the OC of Police in Cayo? Maybe there is some truth to credible reports that the OC has his head stuck halfway up Montero’s misshaped posterior. Politics and Policing don’t mix, my brother… just so you know.

Lmao…

So the Village Council in Palmar was fixing some bleachers when they were surprised by the arrival of El Odio Aragon Jr. who started posing in front of the bleachers, like real supermodel on the catwalk shit. Of course, to nobody’s surprise, El Odio then posted those pics claiming them as evidence that he is hard at work in the area. Oh lerd that is hilarious. Some people just weren’t cut out for politics, or for modelling for that matter. Here’s the thing, good Sir, the Mayor of Orange Walk is having a seminar next week entitled – REAL MEN, REAL WORK…if you like I could probably get you an invitation. Maybe, just maybe you’d learn something.

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

EDITORIAL They Play…

We Pay!

M

r. Barrow presented his Budget for the fiscal year 2017/18 in the House on Monday. He called it his Bouncing Back budget.

It was filled with the traditional dazzling array of figures and percentages, a healthy serving of criticism of the PUP as has become expected, and a monumental serving of self-praise and ego-masturbation, also expected. When it was done, the usual sycophants in the gallery gave the Prime Minister a standing ovation. Imagine that.

How stupid we have become. I watched some of those who stood and wondered if they understood what they had just heard. I watched them and wondered if they believed the words coming out of the mouth of this golden-tongued but empty vessel.

How ironic is it that just weeks ago this same Prime Minister went begging to bondholders, basing his inability to pay them on the fact that the economy was ‘imperiled?’

That presentation to bondholders was filled with doom and gloom. All the projections made by the Prime Minister at the last restructuring had been wrong, terrible wrong.

Everything he said would happen didn’t. Every glorious economic boon he predicted did not come to pass. He screwed up and ran the country into the ground, or into a wall, as he likes to say.

But now suddenly, even before bondholders have signed onto the deal, the economy is no longer ‘imperiled.’ Oh no. Actually we are bouncing back. In fact, there is a bold Belizean recovery happening right now. Can’t you see it? Feel it? The economy is stable, and Mr. Barrow is predicting muscular growth in 2017. Oh glory we have been saved.

All hail the king.

Whenever the Prime Minister speaks, there is this sense of him living in some other country. It can’t be this one, where poverty, corruption and mismanagement have characterized his administration. Between 2012 and 2015 Mr. Barrow spent close to $400M in Petrocaribe monies, money allocated for the poor. Not one classroom was built out of Petrocaribe monies. Not one poor child was given access to education out of Petrocaribe monies. Not one health center was built out of Petrocaribe monies. Not one program to really benefit the poor was implemented out of Petrocaribe monies – unless you count giving them pibil tacos and rum.

The leader of this country also spent hundreds of millions in revenues from oil. Few Belizeans probably believe that there was oil in the country because we never saw the benefits of it. The monies just poured in, and poured out at Mr. Barrow’s whim.

But still, they stood and clapped enthusiastically when the Prime Minister told us, in such pretty language, that we will need to pay more taxes this year – unprecedented taxation. They clapped when the Prime Minister stated, boldly, that if you pay over $100 for your electricity bill you will now have to pay GST. They clapped when the Prime Minister stated, without apology, that the excise duty on fuel will go up even more. Currently the cost of fuel in Belize is the highest in the region, thanks to GOB’s tax of 49%. That means that the cost of Regular fuel will likely go past $10 after April 1st. And they clapped.

Is it so difficult to understand that our productive sector is already crippled by the high cost of fuel? Is it so difficult to understand that when fuel goes up, the cost of everything goes up in tandem? Because of an increasing cost of production, even the prices of vegetables and fruits and basic necessities have gone up. This affects the poorest of Belizeans more than it does anybody else. So when Mr. Barrow speaks about his taxes protecting the poor, he is spewing bullshit.

What really hurts in Mr. Barrow’s bogus budget, apart from the real prospect of endemic empty pocket syndrome, is the fact that his administration has raped us without consequence. We are forced to pay more taxes while the multi-millionaire Gaspar Vega continues to feed at the trough which he and his family have run practically dry. Vega still fills up his luxury SUV at taxpayer’s expense. We are forced to pay more taxes while Barrow and his motley crew have all become multi-millionaires in a matter of a few years.

We are forced to pay more taxes while UDP Ministers fly first class on taxpayer-funded junkets, and forced to pay more taxes while the wife of the Prime Minister travels the world on so-called altruistic missions which somehow bear little fruit. We are forced to pay more taxes while Ministers and CEOs and cronies and sweethearts and family members drive those fancy taxpayer-funded SUVs all across the country, 24/7. We see them parked at the mall in Chetumal, at clubs and resorts and bars.

UDP Ministers play, and we always pay. This is just the way it has been during Mr. Barrow’s administration. There has been no apology from the Prime Minister for the hustling by UDP Ministers in Immigration under his watch as UDP leader, no apology for Gaspar Vega. No apology for Edmond Castro or Erwin Contreras or the hustle-happy Rene Montero or John Saldivar or Manuel Heredia. Mr. Barrow doesn’t feel he owes the Belizean people anything.

Apparently it is we who owe, and pay we must. And the idiots stood and gave him a standing ovation. #bubbysuckers

05 5 en Español

Ellos Juegan y Nosotros Pagamos

E

l Sr. Barrow presentó su presupuesto para el año fiscal 2017/18 en la Casa de Representantes el lunes. Lo llamó su Presupuesto del Rebote. Estuvo llenó de la tradicional gama deslumbrante de cifras y porcentajes, una buena parte de crítica hacia al PUP como se esperaba y una porción monumental de auto-alabanzas y ego-masturbación, también esperadas.

Cuando lo hizo, los aduladores habituales en la Galería le dieron al Primer Ministro una ovación de pie. Imagínese. Que estúpidos somos. Miraba a algunos de los que se paraban y me preguntaba si habían entendido lo que habían oído. Los observaba y me preguntaba si ellos creían en las palabras que salen de la boca de este cabeza hueca con lengua de oro. ¿Qué irónico es esto cuando solo hace apenas unas semanas este mismo Primer Ministro fue a mendigarle a los tenedores de bonos basando su incapacidad para pagar en el hecho de que la economía estaba 'en peligro’? Esa presentación a los tenedores de bonos estaba llena de pesimismo. Todas las proyecciones hechas por el Primer Ministro en la reestructuración pasada estuvieron equivocadas, terriblemente mal. Todo lo que dijo que pasaría no sucedió.

Cada gloriosa bonanza económica que predijo no llegó a ser. Jodio y puso el país en peligro, o en contra de una pared, como él suele decir.

Pero ahora de pronto, incluso antes de que los tenedores de bonos hayan firmado el acuerdo, la economía ya no está ' en peligro.' Ah No. Realmente estamos rebotando. De hecho, es una recuperación audaz que está pasando en Belice ahora mismo. ¿Usted no puede verla? ¿Sentirla? La economía está estable, y el Señor Barrow está prediciendo un crecimiento robusto en 2017. Oh alabado sea, hemos sido salvados. Todos saludemos al rey.

Cuando el Primer Ministro habla, nos invade la sensación de que él vive en otro país.

No puede ser este, donde la pobreza, la corrupción y la mala gestión han caracterizado su administración. Entre 2012 y 2015 el Señor Barrow gastó cerca de $400 M de los fondos de Petrocaribe, dinero destinado para los pobres. Ni un salón de clases fue construido con los fondos de Petrocaribe. Ni a un niño pobre se le dio acceso a la educación de los fondos de Petrocaribe. Ni un centro de salud fue construido de los fondos de Petrocaribe. Ni un programa para beneficiar a los pobres se implementó con el dinero de Petrocaribe – a menos que usted incluya dándoles ron y tacos de pibil.

El líder de este país también gastó cientos de millones de dólares de los ingresos del petróleo. Pocos Beliceños probablemente creen que hubo petróleo en el país porque nunca vimos los beneficios de la misma. El dinero sólo entro y salió al capricho del Señor Barrow.

Pero aun así, se pararon y aplaudieron con entusiasmo cuando el Primer Ministro nos dijo, en tan bonitas palabras que tenemos que pagar más impuestos este año…una imposición tributaria sin precedentes. Ellos aplaudieron cuando el Primer Ministro afirmo, audazmente, que si pagas más de $100 en tu factura de electricidad ahora tendrás que pagar GST. Ellos aplaudieron cuando el Primer Ministro afirmó, sin disculparse, que el impuesto especial sobre combustible subiría aún más. Actualmente el precio de los combustibles en Belice es el más alto en la región, gracias a los impuestos del gobierno del 49%. Eso significa que el costo de la Gasolina Regular probablemente pasara los $10 después del 1 de abril. Y aplaudían. ¿Es tan difícil entender que nuestro sector productivo ya está paralizado por el alto costo del combustible? ¿Es tan difícil entender que cuando sube el combustible, el costo de todo sube en tándem? Debido a un mayor costo de producción, han subido hasta los precios de verduras y frutas y necesidades básicas. Esto afecta a los más pobres más que a ningún otro Beliceño. Así que cuando el Señor Barrow habla acerca de que sus impuestos protegen a los pobres, está hablando huevadas.

Lo que realmente duele del presupuesto falso del Señor Barrow, aparte de la perspectiva real del síndrome de bolsillo vacío endémico, es el hecho de que su administración nos ha violado sin consecuencia. Nos vemos obligados a pagar más impuestos mientras el multimillonario Gaspar Vega continúa alimentándose en el comedero que él y su familia ya han prácticamente vaciado. Vega todavía llena su SUV de lujo con gasolina a costa del contribuyente. Nos vemos obligados a pagar más impuestos mientras Barrow y su pandilla variopinta se han convertido en multimillonarios en cuestión de pocos años.

Nos obligan a pagar más impuestos, mientras que los ministros UDP vuelan en primera clase en viajes de placer pagados por los contribuyentes, y obligados a pagar más impuestos mientras que la esposa del Primer Ministro viaja por el mundo en presuntas misiones altruistas que por alguna razón poco fructifican. Nos vemos obligados a pagar más impuestos mientras ministros y compinches, CEOs y miembros de su familia y amantes conducen esos SUVs de lujo financiados por los contribuyentes por todo el país, 24/7. Los vemos estacionados en el centro comercial en Chetumal, en clubes y centros turísticos y bares.

Los Ministros UDP juegan y nosotros pagamos, y pagamos siempre. Esto ha sido así durante la administración del Señor Barrow. El Primer Ministro no ha pedido disculpas por todo el chanchullo de los ministros UDP en inmigración durante su mandato como líder del UDP, no hay disculpa por todo lo de Gaspar Vega. No ha pedido disculpas por lo de Edmond Castro o Erwin Contreras o por el rey del chanchullo Rene Montero o John Saldívar o Manuel Heredia. El Señor Barrow no siente que le debe al pueblo Beliceño nada.

Al parecer nosotros somos los que debemos y nosotros somos los que tenemos que pagar.

Y los idiotas se pararon y le dieron una clamorosa ovación. #mamantes

0 66

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

OBTAINING PROPERTY

BY DECEPTION? Wednesday, 15 March 2017 As we go to press this evening, the legal team of the People’s United Party is exploring whether legal action can be instituted against Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley and his Councillors. Contrary to what was previously the norm at City Hall, Bradley and his Councillors are paid full-time salaries while also being employed in other capacities, in other words working twofull time jobs – or at least collecting for a full-time job at City Hall because it is clear that any work has come to a

2017

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given BANGORSIDE INVESTMENT LTD. and DUNCAN MANAGEMENT S.A. both commenced dissolution on 3rd March, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given RODOCROSITA S.A., NENZEL BUSINESS INC., LISMORE ENTERPRISES LIMITED, PERGOLIA COMPANY INC., BOLERI COMPANY S.A. and KEIKO CONTINENTAL S.A. all commenced dissolution on 10th March, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given BYRNE PROPERTY S.A. commenced dissolution on 14th March, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

Dean Samuels NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given LYSSA FINANCE CORP. commenced dissolution on 10th March, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE complete halt.

Bradley is the worst of the lot, collecting we are told almost $2000 a week while being perpetually absent from the Council. A practicing attorney, Bradley is at Court almost every day, and travels to Court appearances in his official Mayor’s vehicle which is bought and fuelled and maintained by taxpayers. This constitutes a gross dereliction of duty and ethics, and it is believed at this time that it could even be actionable in Court.

Since Bradley is guilty of this, his Councillors are also allowed to neglect their duties at the Council and work other jobs while all collecting in the region of $1000 a week.

In the meantime, streets are falling apart and the entire Council seems to have gone on a fullstop. Sidewalks are crumbling and streets recently cemented are already full of potholes. The city, supposed to be the hub for tour-

ism and business, is filthy and deteriorated. Is anyone surprised that cruise ships keep aborting stops in the city and heading south instead?

Look at Dean Samuels, for example. Samuels was a barber before finding his lucrative calling at City Hall. Since then, his modest home has been expanded at least four times and is now a palatial residence. Samuels, we are told, plans to run in Port Loyola to replace the ‘product’ man Boots. It is likely that Boots is his mentor and idol, given that he was once a humble pool table repair man and is now a multi-millionaire with homes and land all over the country.

In the weeks ahead, the Belize Times plans to call out those members of the Council who have become millionaires since going to City Hall. The residents of Belize City are demanding the service they deserve. It is time for this bogus Mayor and bogus Councillors to deliver or walk away.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below companies have been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the dates indicated: PLAYFAIR LIMITED - March 10th, 2017

ALEMAN, CORDERO, GALINDO & LEE TRUST (BELIZE) LIMITED

Registered Agent

Notice is hereby given that the Companies listed below have been dissolved and duly struck off the IBC Register as follows: NAME OF COMPANY

ARBAS SECURITIES LTD. DOWAR SECURITIES LTD. ATTERSEA ASSOCIATED LTD. HIGH SEAS SHIPPING LTD. AKRISIUM CONSULTING INC. CARMEDA COMPANY S.A. ORIENTAL GROUP COMPANY S.A. TONYO GROUP LTD. RASIAK PARTICIPATION CORP. PANTANAL MAPLE GROVES LTD. CRANBERRY GENERAL INVESTMENTS S.A. FICAV FINANCE LIMITED INC. MOORE STEPHENS (PANAMA) LTD. ASTRAKA MARKETING LTD. ROSELINE PROPERTY S.A. LUCETTA UNITED S.A. BUTTONSGREEN INVESTMENTS LIMITED BRAGANCA MOUNTAIN LTD. CAMDEN DIRECTORS LTD. Zinna Financial Corp.

INTREAT S.A. NOVA ZONA LIBRE S.A. LANCASTER MANAGEMENT INC. LALIQUE HOLDING S.A. MERTON PROPERTY S.A. EBAY TRADING LTD. MONT GROUP LTD. ETERNA MANAGEMENT LTD. BERINCAN MANAGEMENT LTD. LAEKE HOLDING S.A. MONTROSE TRADE INC. VESNA HOLDING S.A. PUCON LTD. STARPLEX PROPERTY S.A. LAHARA OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED MIRABEL FINANCE LTD. GAHALA INVESTMENT LTD. POLLEN HOLDING CORP. WALDEM HOLDING LTD. MELROSE CORPORATE LTD. TAKASHI PROPERTY S.A. FELLOW INVEST CORP. CORNERSTONE FINANCE S.A. CLAY FINANCE CORP. EDMUNDS HOLDINGS LTD. ROCKBRIDGE LIMITED ZIMAS MARKETING CORP. TANTISA PROPERIES CORP. LAUGATE FINANCE LTD. HELIWOLD BUSINESS LTD. CLEA HOLDING S.A. GLENCOE COMMERCIAL INC. AZARA PARTICIPATION CORP. SOMERFIELD PROPERTY S.A. LEIPSIC CONSULTANCE S.A.

Date of Dissolution

4-Jan-17 4-Jan-17 4-Jan-17 4-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 5-Jan-17 6-Jan-17 6-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 11-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 12-Jan-17 13-Jan-17 14-Jan-17 14-Jan-17 14-Jan-17 17-Jan-17 17-Jan-17 17-Jan-17 17-Jan-17 18-Jan-17 18-Jan-17 18-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 19-Jan-17 20-Jan-17 20-Jan-17 21-Jan-17 21-Jan-17 21-Jan-17 21-Jan-17 21-Jan-17 26-Jan-17 26-Jan-17 26-Jan-17 26-Jan-17

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Ltd.

19 MAR

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

Elderly Taximan Executed and Dumped

Monday, March 13, 2017 Taxi driver Elbert Gillett, 66, was reported missing last Friday. However, on Sunday he was discovered in a decomposed state with a gunshot wound to the head. According to his family, he was last seen on Thursday night when he had left home to conduct some taxi runs.

On Friday morning when he did not return home, his daughter immediately filed a missing-persons report.

Hours later his driver's license would be found in Ladyville and handed over to Belize City police. Also on Friday his vehicle was found burnt on Benbow Street in the Port Loyola area.

Usher Gunned Down in Hattieville

Michael Usher Monday, March 13, 2017 Michael Usher, 35, had recently relocated from a troubled past in Belmopan to his aunt's home in Hattieville.

Nevertheless, trouble followed and caught up to him on Saturday night before 9 o'clock while he was sitting on a bucket on his aunt's verandah.

He had just walked his aunt inside her home and returned on the verandah when his aunt heard a verbal exchange between him and another man. He reportedly told the other man, "Bwai weh di go on with you?"

Seconds later Usher cried out and the sound of gunshots followed.

Police arrived on the scene and Usher was not on the verandah. Instead he was lying face down at the back of the yard suffering from gunshot injuries to the head and waist.

According to his aunt, Police officers on the scene wasted no time in attempting to transport him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in hopes that he would be saved. Instead he was left on the ground helpless as his life slipped away.

Police have not indicated whether they have made any arrests in the brazen murder, or if they have any leads at this time.

Elbert Gillett

Gillett was found dead by his family between miles 3 and 5 of the George Price Highway. His family told the media they do not know why anyone would harm him. Gillett's life revolved around his family and his taxi services.

According to our Police sources, this case is being treated as a robbery turned murder. As the country continues to experience dark financial times our senior citizens are not exempt from hopeless and hungry gun carrying criminals.

Police are yet to make an arrest.

Gillett leaves behind his wife, their children and grandchildren.

07 7 FOR RENT: Semi-furnished rooms centrally located in Belize City at # 35 Handyside Street (off Queen Street).

Rooms are safe and fully burglar barred, tiled floors and safe parking available.

Serious enquiries may call 672.1170.

VACANCY:

Vacancy exist for one (1) cashier at Koye’s Super Shop, Market Square, Belmopan City.

Call 631-2058 for more information.

0 88

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

Paradise Calling…

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 Late yesterday we started to hear about the untimely death of a beautiful woman, Ms. Jordanie Olivera, 23, which occurred in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Without having full knowledge of the details, it appears that Ms. Olivera had been seeking medical assistance at a clinic on the island, but was advised that there was nothing more they could do to help her, and it was recommended she seek medical attention in Belize City. Apparently those who should have known did not see that this was a case of emergency and Ms. Olivera was left to the mercy of the world and died in a vain attempt to get the help she so desperately needed.

This highlights one of the gross injustices to the women and people of San Pedro, and Ms. Olivera paid the ultimate price in that sacrifice. Ambergris Caye is the tourism destination with the highest visitation in the country; a trend that has held for a while.

Tourism is the largest revenue generating industry in Belize, and the bulk of it is happening on this paradise island.

One cannot miss the lush and luxurious hotels and residences, which cater to mainly North American tourists.

In January 2016, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker accounted for 16,424 and 12,530 visits respectively, the highest in the country. This trend continues for the same period in January 2017. There is no doubt that the sun, sea and sand appeals to all.

But there is an irony, a paradox in this story. There are pockets of severe poverty and crime in this paradise.

And, as has been brought to the forefront yesterday, a health system in dire need. How is it that the destination with the largest revenue earnings from the largest revenue earning industry in the country does not have a modern, equipped, public hospital? Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker should be the shining light of not only a top tourist destination, but also the best streets, housing and medical facility in the country! But alas, it is a clear indication that this has not been the priority.

That Miss Olivera was sent to catch a plane on her own, to seek proper medical assistance, is testament to the fact that all is not well in paradise.

Those who run the towns, the constituency, the medical system and the country, need to look themselves in the mirror and acknowledge the hand they have had in the untimely death of this young woman, whose life was just beginning. Millions in Petro Caribe funds were recently squandered on parties and roads. Why was there not the forethought to have a state of the art hospital in the number 1 tourist destination in the country? How much longer will the people and tourists of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker have to wait for proper medical facilities and attention? Unfortunately for Jordanie, a new paradise came calling. Gone too soon. May she Rest in Peace.

2017

VACANCY FOR Driver/Office Messsenger Qualifications and Experience: • Minimum qualification of a High School certificate • Possession of a Police Record • Minimum 1 year experience in a similar job • Possession of a valid drivers license • Quick learner Basic Skills And Requirements • Must be able to handle a motorcycle.

• Must be organized, reliable and punctual.

• Have a mature working attitude.

Salary:

Negotiable and dependent on experience and qualifications

Interested candidates must be a highly motivated team player with initiative, flexibility and excellent communication skills. Must have the ability to organize their workload with particular attention to detail. Should be able to operate in a busy environment and meet deadlines.

Closing Date: March 31, 2017 Please send your resume and the names of at least two (2) sources of reference to the below: Manager P. O. Box 80 Belize City, BELIZE or Email: managerlaw2014@gmail.com

NOTICE 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 Mortgage made the 1st day of March 2013, between VARLENE ENID ARZU #35 Pen Road, Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded as Instrument Number LTU-201300375, 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 piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 2 situate in Sarawee Village, Stann Creek District, forming part of a subdivision and more particularly described and shown on a sub-division plan drawn by Licensed Surveyor J.H. Hertular dated 24th February, 2010 and shown on Entry No. 12566 Register No. 7 and lodged at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan and attached hereto, TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and developments standing and being thereon.

DATED this 7th day of March, 2017.

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

19 MAR

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

PROTRACTED LITIGATION IN BARROW VS. ASHCROFT CONTINUES

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 The Dean Barrow Administration continues to fight, at least publicly, another of the seemingly unending litigation events over BTL. This time, he’s trying to prevent the Ashcroft Group of Companies from collecting on a 50 million US dollar arbitration award that’s been haunting Belize for a number of years now.

The Group of Companies progressed to the point where the Government had to rush to the Supreme Court to get an urgent injunction restraining Belize Bank Limited and BCB Holdings Limited, now named Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited. To understand the state of affairs at this time, readers need just a brief synopsis of the ongoing litigation over this case.

It dates back to the Accommodation Agreement in which the then Prime Minister, Said Musa, and signed to give BTL’s former owners, the Ashcroft Alliance, special tax arrangements in 2005. In 2008, when Prime Minister Barrow was elected, he took the hostile and adversarial position that he would no longer honour it because, from his perspective, it was illegal and abusive.

So, rather than get the agreement struck down in the court, as he could have attempted to do at any point, the Prime Minister arrogantly ceased to abide by the settlement deed. That’s a breach of contract, and so by the terms of the Settlement Deed for the Accommodation Agreement, the Ashcroft Group went to the London Court of International Arbitration. The Prime Minister, in an egotistical manner, chose not to defend against the arbitration proceedings, and the Group won a judgement which says that Belize must pay an award of 44 million US dollars, with a compounded, annual interest rate of 3.8%.

The Ashcroft companies came to the Belize Supreme Court, hoping to get enforcement of the award they now held. That was litigated to completion, and it was then appealed all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

At the end of that appeal, the CCJ ruled that the Ashcroft Group of Companies is not entitled to an enforcement of this award against Belize, because it was against public policy.

Disappointed but not discouraged,

Ashcroft went to the US District Court in the District of Colombia to get the enforcement it was seeking against Belize. There they managed to convince the court that Belize should pay the award, and that’s what forced the Government’s hand to rush to the Supreme Court to get an injunction to stop them from progressing any further.

In a 2-day trial, earlier this week, both sides were trying to convince the

Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin how best to handle the temporary injunction granted by Justice Michelle Arana. The Group of Companies wants the injunction removed, while the Government wants it to remain permanently.

Denys Barrow, attorney for the Government, argued before the Chief Justice that the Ashcroft Group is trying to get a second bite at the cherry, after they failed to get enforcement at the CCJ. He told the court that with this the Group got this judgement from the US Court, which has the effect of undermining the CCJ’s ruling on the matter, and that it is in the interest of the respect for the CCJ’s jurisdiction and its final ruling, that the Group should be stopped. He also submitted that these two companies are based in Belize, so, the ruling of the CCJ should bind them from seeking enforcement of the multi-million-dollar award in any other country. He asked the judge to grant a permanent injunction against them, which is the only course of action which would completely stop them

09 9 from making any other attempts to get the award enforced.

Attorney Eamon Courtenay submitted that the Government is ignoring the principles which govern the New York Convention. Those principles, Courtenay said, are also incorporated as part of Belize’s arbitration law.

He also made the point that the arbitration award was given in London, and that if the Government wished to have it set aside, they needed to approach the court there to do so. From the perspective of the Alliance, the Government didn’t defend, and they didn’t take steps to get it set aside, and so it is final and binding. Courtenay also said that according to the New York Convention, failing to get enforcement in one country does not prevent them from going to another country to get enforcement. He told the Court that contrary to the Government’s position, the CCJ refusal to enforce the award does not bar them from going to another member country to get the enforcement being sought. He said that’s exactly what his clients did when they went to the US District Court, and this time they succeeded. He has asked the Chief Justice to consider ruling in their favour, and removing the temporary injunction.

The judge will give his decision on April 12, until then, the injunction remains in effect.

10

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Media Boycotts Police Department

Allen Whylie

Elodio Aragon Jr.

Wednesday, 15 March 2017 The last time the media was called to a police press briefing featuring commanders of any Division was on January 3, 2017. It came on the heels of a murderous start to the New Year. Three murders alone had occurred in Belize City before that briefing and so the three commanders for the Eastern Division of the Belize Police Department sat around the same table to reassure the public that the incidents were being investigated with due attention.

But abruptly thereafter, police-media relations screeched to a halt and quite disrespectfully, the shift in policy came without warning from up top. The media’s requests for information on January 6th were met with cold shoulders and directives to refer every single query to the ineffective police press officer, Raphael Martinez. Interviews were no more. The Department had resorted to their often random and late press releases.

When the media realized that Police Commissioner, Allen Whylie intended a crackdown on the information flow, widespread displeasure was expressed. This culminated in a strongly worded letter written the very next day (January 7, 2017) to Home Affairs CEO, George Lovell. The police top brass subsequently arranged a media luncheon for January 11th to address the outcry but although the media agreed to a 6-week try-out period to give the Police a chance to sort things out, their new model proved largely ineffective.

Perhaps it was foreshadowed because at the luncheon, mixed signals emanated from the Police top command. Police Minister Hon. Elodio Aragon stated that the Police Department was not moving to stifle the media in any way. However, that is precisely the effect their new measure had.

Commissioner Whylie stated, quite flippantly, that perhaps he liberalized the police-media relationship too much but he now held the view that “no Professional police organization can continue to operate, in terms of the media, the way we have been operating in the past months, left, right and centre each and every person giving interviews.”

Despite the discussion then, the Commissioner seemed determined to do things his way thereby promoting a retrograde position that could only hinder the police-media relations. Particularly of note is that the Commissioner himself would have to approve every interview or press briefing request.

Sure enough, with passing time the model broke down. While the Police Media Unit, increased from one to at least three people began issuing releases on a timely manner and providing information even on weekends on a Police-Media Whatsapp group, whenever interviews were given the media was still treated to a general regurgitation of the infor-

mation on the police releases. The officers were often not conversant as they should be on incidents.

Finally, for the last three weekends when there have been multiple major crimes around the country, the media has been met with a refusal on the part of the Police Media Unit to have press briefings.

The forum to express our displeasure was taken away when the Police Department missed the 6-week deadline at the end of February to review the new model.

So, the media rebelled. On Monday March 13, when the Police Media Unit requested the media’s presence at one of their events, they were informed that the media was instituting a boycott. So at press time, that is where it stands. We have now been informed through the grapevine that the meeting to review the new model has been set for Thursday March 23rd but until then, or until there is a change, the media boycott stands.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Sharon Rhaburn is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Bam’s Fast Food”, Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Irma Cuellar is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Chata Cool Spot”, Cor. San Andres & Tate Sts., Orange Walk Town under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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19 MAR

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

Port Loyola Community Meeting

MOVE

Party Leader's Southern Tour Continues

San Pedro Executive Swearing In

Press Briefing on BarrowBond 3.0

11

12 SPORTS UB Girls Win 19th Relathon

8 JAN 19 26 MAR FEB 21 29 AUG JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

Belize City, March 12, 2017 The University of Belize girls made it 19 times that they have won the UB relathon, clocking 6:50:43 over the 50 miles from Belmopan to Belize City. Shanya Garnett carried the baton into the Institute for Vocational and Employment Training (ITVET, formerly Belize Technical College) compound in Belize City on Sunday. It’s a 39-year-tradition in which the men have won 18 times; the men ran 75 miles from San Ignacio and finished 7 minutes later, clocking 6:57:00!!

Professor Clement Sankat presented medals to the 5 fastest girls running a mile: 1st Shanya Garnett - 6:22.

2nd Delmi Hernandez - 6:32 3rd Ansella Rodriguez - 7:15, 4th Deedrah Diaz - 7:33.

5th Shaine Castillo - 7:33.

The 5 fastest men also received medals: 1st Juan Chavez - 4:44 2nd Jason Barrientos - 4:48 3rd Marlon Jones - 5:23.

4th Kennion Moreira - 5:42 5th Terrique Avila - 5:49.

Dudley Marshall, a mathematics student at Belize Technical College in 1977, started the tradition when he organized the run to test a mathematical theorem. He hypothesized that if men ran from San Ignacio at a velocity X, and the women ran from Belmopan at a velocity Y, their paths would intersect at some point.

2017 2016

UB girls win 19 of 39 relathons

UB men ran 2nd to the girls

WESLEY GIRLS WIN Belize District Football Championship

Hattieville Government Boys Win Belize District Football Championship Belize City, March 9, 2017 The Wesley Upper Primary School girls will represent the Belize district at the national football championships organized by the National Sports Council at the MCC Grounds and Marion Jones Sports Complex to be held on Friday, March 17, after winning the Belize District primary schools football championship at the MCC last Thursday afternoon.

Jada Gillett scored the winning penalty for the Wesley Upper girls’ sudden death win 1-0 in a penalty shootout against the island champs, the San Pedro RC School girls, in the finals after the game was a scoreless draw in 40 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes overtime. Leandra Bainton, Kelize Garcia, Karina Eagen and Jenecia Cacho had scored their penalties to tie the score 4-4 in the first 5 penalty kicks.

In Game 1, the Wesley Upper girls had eliminated the Belize rural champs, the Hattieville Government School girls: 3-1 in penalty kicks; with Tasheeka Tillett, Kelize Garcia and Jenecia Cacho scoring for Wesley, while only Hattieville’s Veril Morris scored her penalty.

In Game 2, the San Pedro RC girls eliminated the Belize City champs, the Muslim Community School girls, in penalty shootout: 3-2; when Karen Medina, Samira Sorto and Vatranny Perez scored for San Pedro, and only Muslim’s Clarissa Palacio and Gissell Martinez scored their penalty kicks.

The Muslim Community girls had won the city championship: 1-0 over the Wesley girls, with a goal by Dynah Bethran, on Tuesday, March 7.

Belize City, March 12, 2017 The Hattieville Gov’t School boys will represent the Belize district at the national football championships organized by the National Sports Council at the MCC Grounds and Marion Jones Sports Complex to be held on Friday, March 17, after winning the Belize District primary schools football championship at the MCC last Thursday afternoon.

The Hattieville boys outgunned the city champs, the St. John Vianney RC School boys: 4-2 in a penalty shootout after regulation and overtime ended in a 1-1 draw. Hattieville’s Albert Arnold scored first, but Vianney’s Cyril Jones equalized after the break. In penalties, Hattieville’s Robert Arnold, Oswald Young, Stephan Cassasola and Enoch “Monster” Rhaburn scored, but only Cyril Jones and Rafael Franklin scored for St. John Vianney.

In Game 1, the Hattieville boys had

eliminated the St. John’s Anglican School boys: 2-1 with goals by Albert Arnold and Oswald Young. Only Erwin Rhamdas scored for St. John’s Anglican.

In Game 2, the Vianney boys eliminated the island champs, the Holy Cross Anglican School boys: 4-3, after regulation ended in a 1-1 draw with Cyril Jones scoring for Vianney, and Luis Hernandez equalizing for Holy Cross. In penalties, Vianney’s Rafael Franklin, Cyril Jones, Jordan Tillett and Fredrick Garbutt scored, but only Adrian Cobo, Luis Hernandez and Zenon Anderson scored for Holy Cross.

Last Tuesday, March 7, the Vianney boys won the city championship: 2-1 against St. John’s Anglican boys, with a goal apiece from Raphael Franklin and Cyril Jones, while only Kewaun Panting scored for St. John’s Anglican.

8 MAY 31 26 JUL FEB 12 JUN 19 14 19 MAR AUG JUN

09 11 SPORTS 13

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016 2016 2017

E.P. Yorke Girls Win CSSSA Softball Championship Belize City, March 13, 2017 The undefeated Edward P. Yorke High School girls will represent the Central Zone at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) national softball championships at the Rogers Stadium this weekend March 17-18.

The E.P. Yorke girls won the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) softball championship: 15-0 by mercy rule in 3 innings against the Ladyville Technical High School girls on Monday, March 13. Pitcher Jasany Westby struck out 6 batters, walked 2, and gave up one hit.

Ladyville’s Seleaney Goodin walked 15 batters and gave up 3 hits and the diamond made 3 errors. Dorla Guerra, Aesha Metsken, Alanah Alarcon, Shana Bood and Charisse Quiroz scored 2 runs apiece. Jasany Westby, Jael Spencer, Kersha Locayo, Hannah Usher and Leeza Russell scored 1 run apiece.

E.P. Yorke team

Jasany Westby pitched 6 wins The E.P. Yorke girls had also won the 1st final 16-4 over Ladyville Tech by mercy rule in 3 innings last Friday.

In the semi-finals last Wednesday, the E.P. Yorke girls had eliminated the Maud Williams High School girls: 23-1.

In the semi-finals last Tuesday, the Ladyville Tech girls eliminated the Wesley College girls: 26-25.

Taye Parkinson, Devesh Hukmani, Daryl Palacio & Su Sen Win RF&G Table Tennis Championships

All Winners Belize City, March 12, 2017 The Belize Table Tennis Association hosted the annual RF&G table tennis championships at the Belize Elementary auditorium on Sunday, where Taye Parkinson won the A division, Devesh Hukmani won the B division, Daryl Palacio won the C division, and Su Sen won the Female division.

A Division 1st Taye Parkinson 2nd Rohit Pagarani 3rd Zhi Chen and Latrell Solis.

B Division 1st Devesh Hukmani 2nd Latrell Solis 3rd Amiri Hoare and Terry Su C Division 1st Daryl Palacio

2nd Denzel Young 3rd Kelly Liu and Manuel Castellanos.

Female Division 1st Su Sen 2nd Kelly Liu 3rd Ajalee Thurton and Gabrielle Gabourel.

Trophies were awarded to all participants by BTTA Director Jorge Espat and RF&G Sponsor Sonia Tun, who commended the BTTA on its continued work with the young players as they continue to progress further and further into the upper echelons of the sport. RF&G also pledged to remain a strong supporter of the BTTA’s initiatives and the sport of table tennis for years to come.

E.P. Yorke Boys Win CSSSA Softball Championship

E.P. Yorke boys

Belize City, March 10, 2017 The Edward P. Yorke High School boys will represent the Central Zone at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) national softball championships at the Rogers Stadium this weekend March 17-18.

The E.P. Yorke boys won the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) softball championship: 13-2 against the Wesley College last Friday night. Winning pitcher Kristan Tillett struck out 2 batters to lead the E.P. Yorke boys to a 13-2 win by mercy rule in 4 innings. Only Wilmer Salazar and Franeek Dunn scored for Wesley. Wesley’ pitcher Xylon Belgrove struck out one batter, but walked 3 and gave up 14 hits, while the diamond made 4 errors. Damion Tillett scored 3 runs, Jonathan Louriano and Arvid Cal scored 2 runs apiece, while Kristan Tillett, Denva Wade, Devon Jones, Cory Cleland and Jaedon Arnold scored one run apiece The E.P. Yorke boys were No. 4 seed entering the playoffs and had to eliminate the No. 3 seed: the St. Johns College boys: 16-12 in last Wednesday’s semi-finals. The E.P. Yorke boys then eliminated the No. 1 seed, the Ladyville Tech boys, who had lost 4-8 to Wesley College in Tuesday’s semi-finals.

BES Boys No. 1 Seed into Futures U-13 Football Playoffs

Wesley College boys

18 14

19MAR FEB 19

THE BELIZE TIMES

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

GO UWG!!!

SERIOUS ABOUT CORRUPTION?? PART II Last week Saturday was an important day ago formy the United Two weeks entry was Women's Group, About the Women's called “Serious Corrupmovement of the People's Unittion??”

I focused on an opinion ed Party.

PresidentTrevor of theMunroe group piece

by Professor of Jamaica, whoconvened is the Executive Tanya Santos what Director of the NGO National Integshe styled a Strategic Planning rity Action.atOn reflection, I realize Meeting Independence Hall, that there is so much more that home of the PUP . About twenneeds to be considered regarding ty-six women participants and the corruption I did not in a few men inscourge. supportive roles my earlier article consider the Unitbrought to fruition a serious ed Nationsand Convention Against Cormorning afternoon session ruption (UNCAC), which Belize has of brainstorming and commitrecently signed on to as the 184th ments for the way forward. country to do so. Herein, I want to Tanya was elected only a discuss briefly the UNCAC, some few months ago as UWG leadmore about Professor Munroe er, and already she is giving off and National Integrity Action, and great and demonstrating as wellvibes the comments of our own her eagerness to shake things Senator Valerie Woods to the Bar up and get the group moving.

Association Annual Conference on Partyvery Leader this issue of combatting corJohnny Briceño stopped by ruption. to share hisisideas with us, and UNCAC the international lehe stayed on treaty for a good of gally binding whichdeal State the time as we discussed and Parties (countries) have committed themselves in order to impleplanned ourtofuture. ment measures in I anti-corruption viewed my participation five Prevention, LawI not main as aareas: keynote speaker.

Enforcement, International Coopdidn't only want to get up and eration, AssetInstead Recovery, and Techpontificate.

I helped to nical Assistance/Information Exlead some of our discussions change. goal ofofUNCAC is the on the The history the United reduction of corruption such inWomen's Group, women as ownfluence trading, money laundering, ing our critical role in national abuse of power, unjust enrichment governance, and identifying our and embezzlement in both the pubgoals and objectives as a vital lic and private sectors. Corruption is arm of our political party. recognized as having far reaching There are two major planks effects in undermining democracy of our deliberations my view. and good governanceinthroughout First, I believe that it is so imthe world. portant for us to sensitize ourThe obvious question three selves after to gender issues.

I do months Belize signed UNCAC notwhat believe that women is have we done to beginare to automatically more aware of implement this binding commitsocialto issues than men ment good governance thatare. we We allmade? need Itofeel focus on have surekeenly that the Barrow administration would like the social fabric of our country Belizeans forget alland about this and train to ourselves others commitment, at this time of Bond to appreciate this gender perRestructuring and Budget spective. Similarly, as I Blues. have What did the women teachersleaders strike and said before, do march for in October 2016?

Certainnot always bring gender awarely not just for the Deputy to proness to their work.

MyPM feeling is file in signing UNCAC and then it all that Tanya and our UWG sisters goes away so that present corrupt who are now leading the charge government ministers and officials need to adopt and incorporate have nothing to worry about. this gender perspective into our I went back to looking at the role and our work. work of National Integrity Action in Secondly, I feel very strongJamaica, and indeed it looks impresly that the United sive. Professor Munroe Women's is a memGroup must not be an ber of Transparencymerely International,

auxiliary to the party itself. Yes, we our part inthat promoting the must globaldo organization works the of the party, but weand are withwork governments, businesses not justtohelpmates to our male citizens stop corruption, abuse of colleagues.

The power, bribery andUnited secret Women's deals and to strivemust for a world of corrupGroup be a free strong, indetion. National Integrity Action pendent party arm and we (NIA) must has thea objective of combatting corhave strong and independent ruption in Jamaica on a non-partisan voice. basis.

It now to build the To this endworks I was very pleased core of a social movement for inthat the session included worktegrity and good governance along ing groups which discussed and with various goals government and civil formulated and objectives society partners.

Look for Professor from this independent and genMunroe's infomercial together with der sensitized point of view. Yes, the excellent commercials/public we have to raise money in order service announcements NIA has to carry on activities and mobilize produced encouraging Jamaicans groups in all districts. And yes, to vigorously fight corruption and there have to be eventslevel. andWe acto build integrity at every tivities. are very good can learnWomen greatly from this in orderat cooperating and jumping into the for us to start taking necessary actasks at hand.

PUP women must tions.

StayThisEngaged, Camleads meAgitate, to comment paign Contest!!! briefly and on the cogent remarks by Also,Valerie we need to be Senator to the Bar able Asso-to speak quickly and cogently ciation Annual Conference a fewto daysissues ago in ofthe the thepanel day. discussion Public relaon UNCAC. We must complations and visibility willfight be extremely cency, sheAnd said,the with the Analysis formabeneficial.

SWOT tion of a roadmap with practical identified crucial factors to be adtargets and timelines as Strengths we take dressed.

Some of our on the herculean task ofhistory holdingof include a very proud government accountable bewomen's involvement andtowomgin real implementation of what en leaders and major accomplishit has signed.

Thereand must be a ments for women children. straight-forward prioritization exWeaknesses admittedly would be ercise so as to pick “the low-hangat times a lack of continuity in the ing fruit,” a term now being used group's work and the perception to take the obvious and simpler of the party as a whole as needactions that can truly start the proing urgent reform.

Opportucessmore of collective action. We must nities, however, are many.

We can keep up sustained public pressure use media in spreading that the the social Integrity Commission do the message andbeen Belizeans are the job that it has mandated fed upand of the corrupt business-asto do, insist that the Public Acusual the UDP must administration. countsofCommittee become Threats would have tokeep include functional. We also must up the difficulty a mespressure of forsustaining an Independent Elections andtoBoundaries Comsage of hope a jaded electorate. mission, and wethat must tax However, I feel the fight Opportuevasion and unjust enrichment nities far outweigh the difficulties such as the Vega saga. faced.

Ms. UWG Castellanos lamented The is receiving a shot in that there is corruption from top the arm from the new participation to bottom in the Immigration Deof young and dynamic women who partment. have startsleeves makare ready We to roll uptotheir ing a change.

I thank Senator Val and to begin taking on the tasks. for her timely intervention, and I The women of the party are more encourage her and everybody to than ready to show that we are get involved, raise our voices and different and better than the other demand tangible measures to put gals and guys. The future does look our money where Faber's mouth positive. saysigning emphatically: “GO was with Ithe of UNCAC in UNITED WOMEN'S GROUP!!!

December last year.

2017

DERELICTION OF DUTY: GOB FAILS TO MEET UNESCO DEADLINE AGAIN! For Sale

NOTICE

By Order of the Mortgagee

The Belize Barrier Reef was placed on Scotiabank the List of World Heritage Sites in duly registered under the Companies (Belize) Ltd., a company Act, Chapter of the of Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having Danger in 2009 250 because concerns its registered at Cor. Albert of and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, on the sale, leaseoffice and development hereby gives notice of its intention to mangrove islands, and the absence of aexercise its power of sale as Mortgagee th under a Deedframework of Mortgage made solid regulatory aimed atthe en-14 day of July 2014, between SHENY AZUCENA YUMAN of unique Lot No.values 265 Santa Cruz Village, Stann Creek District, suring its exceptional and Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK remain. Furthermore in 2010, the World (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, Heritage Committee expressed its seriand recorded as Instrument Number LTU-201401262, the said Scotiabank ous concerns about the potential for oil (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first developments within and immediately publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. adjacent to the iconic World Heritage All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full site.particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank Belize’sLtd. Prime Minister agreed with (Belize) UNESCO to a road map called the Degovernment is required to explicitly sired State of Conservation in January SCHEDULE state all the measures it is taking to 2015, to remove the Belize Barrier Reef our 265 onlycomprising World Heritage Site reoff ALL the THAT black piece list. The removal or parcel of would land beinghave Lot No. 832.181 moved from the blacklist.

It is not clear square meters signal that government regulations and situate in Santa Cruz Village, Stann Creek District, bounded and described whether the Government is working policies are providing a conducive and as shown

by Plan No.for 240 2014 attached Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 240 of atoreport or have completely forgotsupportive environment theofintegrity of 2014 and also delineated on Entry No. 8166 Register No. 29, TOGETHER ten about this important international of the reef. This is especially as the tourbuildings and erections and being thereon. obligation. ismwith andallfishing industries dependstanding on Instead of focusing on ensuring the optimal functioning of Belize’s mathe protection of the reef, the Govrine ecosystems.

DATED this 8th day of March, has 2017.been continuing to purernment It a clear act of omission and deresue offshore oil permitting damaging liction of duty to this important national MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP on the islands near the resource, as the Government of Be-Frontdevelopment 91 North Street reef.

Multibeam surveys planned for lize has once again failed to submit a City Belize last month in January were cancelled report to UNESCO which was due on Attorneys-at-Law for only after outcry from conservation orFebruary 1st, 2017. This report is called (Belize) Ltd. Scotiabank ganizations and tourism stakeholders. the State Party Report in which the

NOTICE

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between IGNACIO ALBERT MAHUNG JR. of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 1016.7 square yards being Parcel 535, Block 45 in the King’s Park Registration Section situate at No. 5537 Cor. Princess Margaret Drive and Moguel Street, Belize City, Belize District, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of IGNACIO ALBERT MAHUNG JR. DATED this 7th day of February 2017 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

15

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

As Mayor of Orange Walk Town, I am pleased and proud to inform residents that as promised, the Orange Walk Town Council has commenced its roadworks in that significant part of the East which is within our jurisdiction. This is no fly by night operation, as we have seen just recently. This was a carefully planned project and the works will be done properly, as the people of the area deserve. By the time we are done here, eight major roads will have been paved – and paved the right way, not for immediate political gain but for the betterment of the town and the people.

Recently I was caught in a somewhat unpleasant back and forth with the elected Area Representative for the East. He seemed to be extremely unhappy when he learned that the Council was planning a project in this part of Town. He seemed to be insulted and angry, to the point that he actually lashed out at us. I can’t imagine why, except that he must have been concerned that it would expose his own inadequacies. I can tell you now that if any member of the UDP Central Government were to offer REAL assistance which would benefit the people of this town, I would accept without a qualm. That is why we are here, to do work for the people by any means necessary, not to play ego games.

I was looking at Mr. Aragon’s manifesto for the 2015 election. There are fifteen promises on it, focusing on infrastructure works, education programs, employment, building a safe environment and sporting.

Did you know that of those 15 promises he has not delivered on even one? Not even one.

Go check for yourself. He has been in office now as a Minister of State since November 2015. It is now March 2017 and nothing, nada for the people of Orange Walk East. That is a shame. Unfortunately, he isn’t suffering. It is the people of the area who suffer from that negligence. But I have made a personal and political commitment that I will do whatever is nec-

essary to help all the people of this town, no matter who gets angry or upset or offended.

Perhaps, instead of wasting time throwing stupid insults at me on Facebook, Mr. Aragon should have been busy lobbying with the Prime Minister and people at the Ministry of Finance to get some assistance for his people of Orange Walk East. There is so much that needs to be done throughout this area. Maybe he could have spent some time trying to get an allocation for some educational assistance because times are getting harder every year. Maybe he could have asked about employment for his people.

Maybe he could have gotten an allocation through the Ministry of Sports to upgrade sporting facilities in Orange Walk East.

Maybe he could have tried to lobby for cheaper healthcare for the residents of this area.

In his manifesto, he promised a fully functional Police Station in Carmelita. And nothing. He promised a polyclinic and a high school in Orange Walk East. We have seen no evidence of any of that happening. Mr. Aragon hasn’t even been able to fix streets right.

The Prime Minister’s budget is one which makes no new allocation for the people. In fact, we will be taxed so that we, the people, can bailout the government from its financial mess.

But apart from more taxes, including on fuel, there is nothing for the people of Orange Walk.

In addition, those of us who pay over $100 a month on our electricity bills will now pay GST when before we didn’t – another hardship thanks to this government.

My point is that when it comes to Orange Walk Town, we need to work together and say to hell with politics. We need to put our collective heads together and work hard to get benefits for our people. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder to ensure that this municipality gets what it deserves in terms of infrastructure and services.

When we bicker and pontificate, our people are neglected. Let’s get this done for our people.

TYRANNY VS. LEADERSHIP By: Eduardo Santos Tyranny and strong leadership are two different types of leadership styles. Both involve the exercises of influence of a person over others.

However, in strong leadership, good leadership styles are depicted with the leader being able to connect well with the followers, hence being their role model. Strong leaders deliver good results. On the contrary, tyrannical types of leadership do not involve the followers, but the leader.

The leader is selfish and usually pushes for his/ her selfish objectives. It involves dictatorship and lack of democracy.

Different people view leadership differently.

However, it remains that leadership is the ability of a person to exercise his or her influence over other people. Leadership is relational, reciprocal and has values. A leader usually tends to look for what motivates the followers while keeping him productive and moving forward. A strong leader must be very engaged with followers, making sure they are satisfied with a higher set of needs, not just the simple stuff, but in the active participation of issues that both the leader and the followers care deeply about. When this collaboration takes place, leaders and followers are able to transform the situation and the leadership is now transformational.

The leaders and the followers should take care of each other’s interests and act in the interest of every member of the entire group.

Transactional leadership provides that the leader motivate the followers while providing high standards of morals, motivation and performance. A strong leadership is either transactional or transformational. Transactional leaders are leaders who lead through social change while transformational leaders stimulate and inspire followers to both achieve extraordinary outcomes and in the process, develop their own leadership capacity. It is noted that transformational leaders help their followers to grow into leaders by responding to individual needs of followers by empowering them and aligning their objectives and goals of individual followers. Strong leaders address the sense of self-worth of their follower to engage the followers in true commitment and involvement in the effort at hand. This is the characteristic of transformational leadership. Transformational leaders motivate their followers more than originally intended. They provide them with more challenging expectations and they typically achieve higher performances. They tend to have more committed and satisfied followers.

Strong transformational leaders usually behave in ways that allow them to serve as role models for their followers. In this respect, they are admired, respected and trusted. The behaviors of the leader and their attributed elements make them ideal role models and therefore influence their followers. Such leaders also offer inspirational motivation through their behavior that motivates people around them.

The main characteristics of strong leader-

ship are charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and personal and individual attention. The transformational leadership theory indicates that the extent of transformation in a strong leader is measured by the influence of the leader on his followers and the successes of the leader in seeking new ways of working as he tries to embrace new opportunities and assess the availability of threats.

The strong leaders differ from tyrant leaders. Tyranny is the kind of leadership where the leader abuses the others at his disposal. The tyrant leader is a leader that is destructive and dictatorial. The leader decides what to do regardless of the interests of the subjects. As long as the interests of the leader are achieved, the interests of the followers may not be achieved.

Tyrannical leadership may go to the extent of the leader oppressing the followers in order to meet his personal interests. This includes murders and persecution of people opposed to their mission. Many political regimes in the post have been tyrannical leaderships with leaders lacking the strong leadership characteristics. They exert the power and authority of the government to attain their own personal interests. A tyrannical leadership style defies all the good aspects of strong leadership. The leader has few followers due to oppression. There is lack of charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and personal and individual attention. Thus, tyranny is characterized by lack of democracy. Typical examples of tyranny would be many of the ancient monarchies.

Leadership is the ability of a person to exert his influence over others. There are different leadership styles. However, the outcome of the style is what matters most. Strong leadership is the kind of leadership where the leader is very effective in executing his leadership roles. The leader maintains his link with the followers. Having characteristics of charisma, the leader motivates and stimulates the followers while giving them his individual attention.

This makes the leader a model for the followers. Strong leadership differs from tyrannical leadership. In tyranny, the leader is selfish and only drives his / her own objectives with less care on the needs of the followers. Tyrants rarely get in touch with the followers. Tyrannical leaders will destroy the people who oppose their goals through oppression. Tyranny is not encouraged because it does not include the needs of all people and may affect the economic growth of a country and the performance of organizations.

Johnny Briceño will be a true leader for all…

16

19 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

BLEEDING SOCIAL SECURITY By: Norris Hall MORE people are dying.

There is a national increase in the yearly number of deaths. More men are dying than women. From a low in infant mortality, this trend is now reversing. More children under the age of five are dying.

The national health statistics are deplorable. Contributing to this dismal data is the increase in the murder rate, traffic deaths and poverty.

Most public health and medical facilities, such as public hospitals and health centres provide mediocre or sub-standard services. There is little investment by the government in modern medical technology to deal with the rampant increase in cancer and other modern diseases.

Because of an alleged drug racket in acquisition contracts, patients in public hospitals are prescribed sub-standard medications.

Programmes for the eradication of vector borne diseases have been discontinued or are erratic at best in squeezes and spurts when there is an outbreak, rather than serious persistent measures for eradication.

There is also very little being spent by the government on emergency and ambulance services.

Despite an agreement between a private ambulance and emergency services – Belize Emergency Rescue Team (BERT) for the Ministry of Health to subsidize its operations, BERT was recently at logger-heads with the Ministry to get the money.

An occasional feature on the nightly news is about some poor folks or family begging for public support to allow them to get medical treatment abroad, some for health issues or medical treatment that should be available in the public hospitals if the government had adequately invested in the health and medical well-being of the nation.

SQUEEZING MONEY However, despite this backdrop, the government will be squeezing more money out of employers and workers to improve social security pensions and benefits in the future. It should be now!

SSB has not yet completed the rolling-out of the National Health Insurance (NHI) that was started by the Musa Administration more than nine years ago. The Social Security Investment Board (SSIB) continues to throw good money after bad. It has not published its investment portfolio. We suspect that it is not a favourable picture on the returns from these investments.

There are several examples that show how the government has abused its power in using Social Security as a “blood bank” and to suck money from it for political purposes. One of these was the write-off of $$millions in loans for a housing programme to gain political advantage. There are also other

outstanding loans that are not being serviced by the borrowers - one very recently. The borrowers clearly do not have the wherewithal to pay the debt.

In this case SSIB has swapped debt for shares. We can expect more political write-offs or equity-for-debt swaps.

SSIB SHARES With the $millions the government owes for the ill-advised nationalization of Belize Telemedia Ltd. and Belize Electricity Ltd. the Prime Minister has “invited” the SSIB to purchase (invest) $55 million more in shares in these heavily indebted companies - seven million shares in BTL and four million shares in BEL. Will these moves end up being yet another debt-for-equity swap? The decision by the SSIB to throw more money into these utility companies is without the normal publication of an investment prospectus or a due diligence exercise.

This is usual professional practice. In this case it would provide public accountability.

It would appear that the Prime Minister has an insane fixation in trying to grab money from anywhere to prop up these utilities following his bad decision to nationalize against the advice of the International Financial Institutions(IFIs).

It is not enough, nor is it a satisfactory explanation, from the Chief Executive Officer of the SSB to publicly pronounce the purchase of $35 million worth of shares in BTL to be a “very safe investment due to the high rate of returns”. What high rate of returns? This is what a prospectus would or would not tell us. We should not take the CEO’s pronouncement, or the Prime Minister’s for that matter, as gospel. This is pubic money and we must know!

BELIZE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken the opposite position. The Chamber is concerned about the return of this investment in relation to the acquisition cost of BTL in particular, and how it was nationalized and at what cost. That is still not final. But up to date it has far exceeded the real market value by more than five times. It is an amount that the Prime Minster initially refused to pay and rightly so. The nationalization cost now amounts to more than half-a-billion dollars and counting. It has now resulted in a forced move by the Prime Minister to rush legislation through the House to protect the limited assets of the Central Bank, as cost is mounting and he continues to squirm over his hostile grab of BTL. The nation continues to pay for his smart-ass bull-headedness. The Senator representing the business community in the Senate was even more specific when he told Channel 5 TV: “I don’t know where the government is finding the money to fund this payment for the BTL investment.

I don’t know how much BTL is going to be paying back themselves, or how much will be borne by the taxpayers, but certainly there are other people that could answer these questions.”

If the answer we expect is the answer given by the CEO of SSB, then that is certainly inadequate-even sinister. These are questions that would be answered in a Prospectus to inform investors, including the SSIB, on returns from their investments in the purchase of shares. It should also include a full report on the repayment plan for the cost of this nationalization.

CEO WRONG Consider this: Where is the market to guarantee the “safe investment” the CEO of the Social Security Board seems to believe is “guaranteed?” This telephone company has a $half-billion debt (maybe more) for its acquisition.

Fact: It operates in a market with a population of 377,000 people. By the year 2030, fifteen years from now (when all should be honkey dorey according to the Prime Minister) the population of Belize, at the current population growth rate of 2.8 percent, will be 573,000 - not even double. So where is the market growth to guarantee the anticipated favourable returns and taking into consideration the competition and the rapidly changing technology?

INADEQUATE REVENUE

Additionally, the company will have to spend money from its small revenue to upkeep and replace depleting assets. BTL is a losing proposition when we consider the government’s “investment.” Its current net revenue is no more than $20 million annually.

The SSB has become a political blood bank. Its decisions are based on political expedience rather than on rational business and investment principles.

Because the government continues to suck $millions from the SSB, the result is that it is failing to provide adequate investments for a fully implemented NHIS, adequate pension benefits and the other social safety nets under its mandate.

DIVESTING TOO MUCH PUBLIC REVENUE TO TOP-UP BTL Monies that should otherwise be used by the government for the improvement of medical and health services, education and other social programmes and services, are being syphoned off and divested into a bad decision by the government to nationalize the utilities. The overall result, is that this week’s budget presentation by the Prime Minister looks like voodoo economics-or more simply a quilt of lies.

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: CHATTELS

Belmopan Civic Center Bliss Parade, Belmopan, Cayo District

BY ORDER of the Embassy of the United States of America, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following chattels at Belmopan Civic Center, Bliss Parade, Belmopan, Cayo District on SATURDAY 1st April 2017 at 9:00 a.m. sharp.

Household furniture Office furniture TVs Printer supplies Tables Copiers Shredder Scanners Printers

Dehumidifiers Dryers Washers Freezers Lamps Computer Parts Laptops Hospitality Supplies Spare parts

[And other attractive items…]

All items will be available for viewing on Thursday and Friday 30th & 31st March 2017 between the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Belmopan Civic Center, Bliss Parade, Belmopan City. *** All interested bidders must be 18 years or older and will be required to register using a valid (picture) identification card on the day of the sale. Please note that all Rules and Agreements regarding this sale will be available for those viewing the Lots. Final viewing will be permitted one hour prior to the sale. ***

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH – [CERTIFIED CHEQUES] KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

19 MAR

2017

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

LINDSAY WADE SAYS HE DIDN’T STEAL VISAS…

Lindsay Wade

Monday, March 13, 2017 Immigration Officer Lindsay Wade has gone before the Senate to assert his innocence in one of the biggest scandals coming out of the Auditor General’s report. He was identified as the person who stole 8 visas from the Immigration Department’s Belize Western Border Station in November or December 2012. Six of those visa stickers ended up in passports that UDP insider Patrick Tillett was trying to get approved for Chinese nationals after being paid $6,000 per applicant to perform this service.

Wade is named in the Auditor General’s report, which quotes from a report belonging to Immigration Officer Vernon Leslie. His fellow Officer, Mark Tench, has also gone before the Senate to point fingers at him. Of importance, however, is that he has never been investigated for those allegations, and he never been subjected to any disciplinary hearings. Up until the testimony before the Senate, he hadn’t evening being questioned about it.

Readers will remember that the Auditor General’s report on visas,

reproduced a report which Vernon Leslie wrote, “On the 26thof December, 2012, at the Belizean Western Border Station, I.O. M. Tench discovered that eight (8) Belize visa foils were missing.

Officer M. Tench reported the matter to OIC E Cano. We initiated an investigation and discovered that I. O. L. Wade had removed the eight visa foils from the officer and given them to one Mr. Middleton for sale.”

Wade was called to testify on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, and Wade challenged the Senate to show where evidence exists that he stole the visas. The premise of the suspicion is this mysterious “Mr. Middleton” who got paid $3,000 by Patrick Tillett for each visa applicant that he was supposed to help out with. Tillett was very vague and evasive when he was challenged by the Senate to justify why this “Mr. Middleton” was paid such a high price to get these visas.

In his testimony Lindsay Wade criticized the Senate Committee saying, “You should have brought Mr. Middleton here first and he would have told you that he doesn't know me, then I wouldn't have had to come here today…

I don't know Mr. Middleton. So, any third or second hand information that says I took, issued or sold any visas - that's a lie. While working at the Western border I didn't sell, issued, [or] take any visas while working there. The supervisors issued visas. I didn't get to look at the visas, much more, issued or sell or took.”

Belizean Killed in Melchor

Amadeo Teck Monday, March 13, 2017 A weekend getaway in Melchor turned deadly for a resident of Bullet Tree Falls in the Cayo District. According to our sources, Belizean national

Amadeo Teck was shot dead outside a bar sometime on Saturday night. He received as many as four shots into his chest.

Belizean authorities do not yet know what led to his murder. However, we are told that Belizean and Guatemalan authorities are working together to close this case.

At this time, Guatemalan authorities are yet to detain or even lay charges on his attacker or attackers.

On Tuesday, the victim's family travelled across the border to identify and recover his body. They have respectfully declined comment to our newspaper.

Funeral arrangements have been made for today, Wednesday.

Wade was combative and adversarial with the Senate throughout his testimony, refusing to help

them get in touch with someone who could identify this “Mr. Middleton”.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below companies have been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the dates indicated: ZAMBRONE FINANCE LTD. - March 14th, 2017 NARROMINE CONTINENTAL S.A. - March 15th, 2017 FORESTE HOLDINGS INC. - March 15th, 2017 BANGIUS HOLDINGS S.A. - March 15th, 2017 YELLOWWOOD FINANCE LTD. - March 15th, 2017 RANGE INTERNATIONAL INC. - March 15th, 2017

ICAZA BELIZE TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED

NOTICE Nebbie Inc. #158, 519 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Nebbie Inc.: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 14th day of March, 2017; and c) Amber F. Bowen whose address is Birchstrasses 82, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland is the Liquidator of the Company.

CIL Trust International Limited Registered Agent

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Two Russian spies are among four individuals indicted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) over a huge theft of Yahoo user accounts.

BBC WORLD NEWS The members of the FSB, the Russian intelligence agency, conspired with criminal hackers, according to DOJ officials announcing the charges.

Previously, Yahoo said "state-sponsored" hackers were behind the 2014 breach affecting 500 million accounts.

The suspects are also alleged to have targeted Google accounts.

Hacking was directed at Russian and US government officials, including security, diplomatic and military personnel, according to the DOJ. The indictment also alleged that 30 million Yahoo accounts were commandeered without authorisation for use in a spam campaign.

FBI 'most wanted' "We will not allow individuals, groups, nation states, or a combination of them to compromise the privacy of our citizens, the economic interests of our companies, or the security of our country," said acting attorney general Mary McCord, announcing the charges.

The suspects were named in a DOJ press release as: Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev, 33, a Russian national and FSB officer Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, 43, a Russian national and FSB officer Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, 29, a Russian national and resident Karim Baratov, 22, a Canadian and Kazakh national and a resident of Canada Baratov was arrested on 14 March in Canada.

One of the alleged hackers has been on of the FBI's most wanted cyber criminals for more than three years, according to

The charges, announced by the US Justice Department, relate to a 2014 breach affecting 500 million Yahoo user accounts

acting Att Gen McCord.

The suspect in question, Alexsey Belan, was aided by the FSB who - according to the DOJ provided him with "sensitive FSB law enforcement and intelligence information that would have helped him avoid detection by US and other law enforcement agencies outside Russia".

"We would hope [Russia] would respect our criminal justice system and respect these charges," said acting Att Gen McCord, acknowledging the fact that the US does not have an extradition treaty with Russia.

"The United Kingdom's MI5 made substantial contributions to the advancement of this investigation," added FBI executive assistant director Paul Abbate.

Personal data stolen Yahoo was criticised for the delay in informing users about the 2014 breach.

The stolen data included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and encrypted passwords, but not credit card data, according to Yahoo.

Last year, users were advised to change their passwords.

Around eight million UK accounts were believed to have been affected - including some users of BT and Sky email ser-

vices.

"The indictment unequivocally shows the attacks on Yahoo were state-sponsored," Yahoo said in a statement, responding to the DOJ announcement.

"We are deeply grateful to the FBI for investigating these crimes and the DOJ for bringing charges against those responsible."

The DOJ said that the charges have no connection to the hack on the Democratic National Convention last year.

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2017 2017

Oficiales de la PNC custodian la droga incautada en Sicapate, Escuintla.

Especialista del Ejército, capturado por posibles vínculos con narco avioneta

Un militar activo fue detenido por las autoridades este lunes. El caso tendría relación a la avioneta con droga que se accidentó el fin de semana en Sipacate, Escuintla.

Ciudad de Guatemala: 13 de Marzo de 2017 El “Ministerio de la Defensa pone a disposición de las autoridades a especialista con posibles nexos con la captura de la avioneta en Sipacate, Escuintla”, es el mensaje que difundió en Twitter la institución armada.

Almagro criticó la administración de Nicolás Maduro y pide comicios pronto.

El militar fue identificado como Douglas Odilón López Ixbalánl. “Dicho especialista tendrá que enfrentar a las autoridades correspondientes y solventar su situación judicial”, indicó el Ejército en un comunicado.

El sábado pasado siete hombres, entre ellas dos mexicanos, fueron detenidos por las autoridades guatemaltecas después de aterrizar una avioneta en una localidad de Sipacate, Escuintla con 433 kilos de cocaína, valorados en Q48 millones.

Los guatemaltecos fueron identificados como Jorge Estrada Reyes, Kilder Giovanni Sierra Robles, Edison Lombardo Oliva López, Francisco Cahuec Ixcoy, Luis Alberto González Aquino.

Mientras que los mexicanos portaban identificaciones emitidas en el estado de Sinaloa, con los nombres German Soberanes Gaxiola y Rogelio Villavicencio Beltrán.

La aeronave con matrícula N691NK aterrizó en una pista en un terreno privado que se ubica entre el apostadero naval Sipacate, el Paredón Buena vista y el área conocida como Juan Gaviota, Escuintla, a pocos metros de la playa.

El Ejército informó que la detección fue facilitada por los radares de interdicción instalados y el operativo lo realizaron los paracaidistas de la Fuerza Aérea y la Brigada de Infantería de Marina.

Un grupo de personas en Chile en protesta por la muerte de las niñas del Hogar Seguro.

OEA pide suspender a Venezuela si no celebra Elecciones En medio de una creciente crisis que azota a los venezolanos, la OEA exigen unas elecciones inmediatas que dejen fuera al presidente Maduro.

Washington/AFP-EFE 14 de Marzo de 2017 El secretario general de la Organización de Estados Americanos, Luis Almagro, llamó este martes a implementar la Carta Democrática Interamericana y suspender a Venezuela del ente regional si el país no celebra elecciones generales en breve.

“Si no se realizan elecciones generales bajo las condiciones estipuladas, pasaría a ser el momento necesario para aplicar la suspensión a Venezuela de las actividades de la Organización en función del Artículo 21 de la Carta Democrática Interamericana”, dijo Almagro en una carta al Consejo Permanente del organismo.

En el documento de 75 páginas, el excanciller uruguayo reiteró que las gestiones diplomáticas “no han dado por resultado ningún progreso” y los intentos de diálogo “han fracasado”, mientras los venezolanos “han perdido aún más fe en su gobierno y en el proceso democrático”.

La carta, una versión actualizada de su crítico informe sobre Venezuela, es la más reciente de una serie de misivas de Almagro, y refleja su impaciencia ante el deterioro institucional y la agudización de la situación económica en Venezuela.

“La señal inequívoca de retomar el rumbo instiCont’do pagina 21

Grupos en el extranjero piden justicia, Hogar Seguro Protestas en las embajadas de Guatemala para mostrar el rechazo por la muerte de 40 menores del Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción, se han desarrollado en varios países de América Latina y Europa.

Ciudad de Guatemala: 14 de Marzo de 2017 Las convocatorias de varios grupos han surgido después del incendio en la casa de protección estatal, donde murieron calcinadas 19 niñas y adolescentes.

En estado grave fueron trasladadas a hospitales unas 25 niñas más, de las cuales 21 ya murieron y

siete fueron llevadas a hospitales en Estados Unidos.

Los protestas en el mundo han surgido con un clamor común, pedir justicia al Estado de Guatemala por el deceso fatal de las que estaban protegidas por el Estado.

Hogar Seguro: Temen que menores estuvieran sedadas Si existen restos de algún medicamento o estupefaciente que hubiera adormecido a las menores que perecieron en el incendio ocurrido en el Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción, el miércoles pasado, analiza el Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses Las diligencias forman parte de la investigación del Ministerio Público (MP), que capturó ayer a tres ex altos funcionarios de la Secretaría de Bienestar Social En una citación con la Comisión de Gobernación del Congreso, el director del Inacif, Nery Cabrera, explicó que buscan desde sedantes hasta drogas o tóxicos en los cadáveres.

Cont’do pagina 21

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OEA pide suspender a Venezuela si no celebra Elecciones

Un observador recorre un centro de votación.

Instan a la Fiscalía investigar denuncias de delitos electorales Tegucigalpa, Honduras 14 Marzo 2017 ( La Prensa) La falsificación de documentos electorales está penado con tres a diez años de cárcel.

Un experto legal y exfiscal hondureño instó este martes al Ministerio Público a dar seguimiento a las denuncias recibidas por delitos electorales en las elecciones primarias celebrados este domingo.

El abogado Aldo Santos dice que la Fiscalía debe hacer un estudio rápido de los hechos, instruir todos los elementos de investigación, tomar declaraciones, decomisar documentos, para que una vez recolectadas las evidencias, si hay caso, presentarlos en los tribunales.

Este lunes la Unidad Especial de Delitos Electorales de la Fiscalía hondureña procesó nueve denuncias de hechos cometidos por ciudadanos durante el proceso electoral.

El especialista en temas

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electorales recordó que "la penal de falsificación de delitos electorales de es tres a diez años de reclusión. La pena de coacción o amenazas electorales es de uno a cuatro años de prisión sin perjuicio de las sanciones pecuniarias que el TSE está obligado a imputar a la persona que es encontrada responsable de un delito electoral".

De acuerdo con Santos, la falsificación de cualquier documento electoral, como actas, firmas de personas, adulteración del cuadernillo de votación, está penado con tres a diez años de cárcel.

En las redes sociales circularon varios videos en los que supuestamente se aprecia a miembros de las mesas electorales manipulando las actas de los comicios. "Que estos -videos- pueden ser medios de pruebas, pero tiene que ser sometido a la pericia respectiva en Medicina Forense para que puedan determinar que no es una adulteración informática y puedan servir de elemento probatorio", señaló.

También explicó que el delito

Grupos en el extranjero piden justicia, Hogar Seguro Cont’do de pagina 20 El funcionario explicó que también se evalúa si las menores fueron rociadas con algún acelerador de combustión como “para tener ese siniestro que se dio”, ya que la mayoría tenía quemaduras en el 75 y 90 por ciento del cuerpo.

A las víctimas también se les han hecho pruebas de embarazo, pero en ninguna se ha comprobado tal extremo. También se les han practicado pruebas para analizar si fueron ultrajadas. Los resultados serán entregados al MP y se prevé que los primeros informes se den a conocer el viernes, dijo Cabrera.

Durante la citación, el director del Inacif refirió que le llamó la atención que las menores fallecidas estuvieran en pijama, “lo que quiere decir que estaban durmiendo”.

Según reportes del Hogar, las niñas habían tratado de escapar. “No concuerda la versión de la pijama con un intento de fuga”, aseveró la diputada Alejandra Carrillo, del Movimiento Reformador.

Trágica escena Durante la citación, el director del Inafic narró que el techo de la habitación donde fueron encerradas las menores estaba completamente quemado, y las temperaturas en el interior llegaron a tal magnitud que levantaron la pintura de las puertas y barrotes.

Según los resultados preliminares de las necropsias, 20 de las menores murieron por asfixia y sofocación, y 17, a causa de quemaduras térmicas.

Recalcó que todas tenían quemaduras en el 75 a 90

electoral no admite una medida sustitutiva por considerarse un delito con pena grave, según el Código Procesal Penal.

Denuncias La portavoz del Ministerio Público de Tegucigalpa, Lorena Cálix, indicó el lunes que "entre las denuncias recibidas, una de ellas tiene que ver con el ofrecimiento de 300 lempiras (12,65 dólares)" que hizo un hombre a otra persona "por voto" en el pintoresco pueblo hondureño de Ojojona, al sur de Tegucigalpa.

En el sector de Potrerillos, Cortés, se registraron un número no precisado de denuncias por "violación a los deberes de los funcionarios, fraude y coacción".

Durante las elecciones primarias las autoridades reportaron la detención de dos personas.

por ciento del cuerpo.

Cabrera aseguró que con las temperaturas que alcanzó el cuarto y las condiciones de este eran “suficientes dos minutos para estar respirando vapores arriba de los cien grados centígrados”. Enfatizó: “Nadie queda vivo en dos minutos”.

El funcionario agregó: “No puedo dar con certeza el grado que alcanzó la temperatura dentro de ese lugar, pero a como se ven las paredes y lo levantado de la pintura en las puertas de metal, considero que alrededor de 900 grados”.

Confusión La falta de registro de los menores causó que en el Hospital General San Juan de Dios se le avisara a Carlos Sotoj que su hija Estefany Dayana Sotoj Hernández había fallecido; sin embargo, en el Inacif, ya con acta de defunción en mano, el padre vio el cuerpo y descubrió que no era el de la joven.

A Sotoj se le informó que su hija era una de las que viajaron el sábado pasado a Estados Unidos para ser atendidas en un hospital especializado, pero había sido identificada como Milenie Eloisa Rac Hernández.

El director del General San Juan de Dios, Juan Antonio Villeda, indicó que el problema se debe a que las autoridades de la SBS no tienen controles, y por el estado en que se encontraban las adolescentes afectadas era difícil identificarlas "Este es un crimen cometido por el Estado de Guatemala. Vinimos aquí a extender un abrazo de solidaridad a nuestro país vecino y a pedirle a la embajadora guatemalteca que se investigue a fondo lo ocurrido", explicó a la activista Sally Bardayán, una de las representantes de la asociación "El Kolectivo".

Los manifestantes, que no llegaban a la veintena, se plantaron a las puertas de la delegación guatemalteca en Panamá con una gran pancarta llena de mariposas de papel con el nombre de las 40 víctimas mortales.

Los activistas también portaban carteles en los que se podían leer frases como "Ni violadas, ni encerradas, ni quemadas: las queremos vivas" y "Panamá no los olvidará".

En Madrid, España, varios grupos han estado en jornadas de protestas frente a la Embajada, bajo el lema Fue el Estado y Nos Faltan 40.

Cont’do de pagina 20 tucional por parte del país es que se realice en los próximos 30 días un llamado a elecciones generales, la liberación de los presos políticos, la validación de las leyes que han sido anuladas”, señaló el diplomático, haciendo un llamado a la renovación del Poder Electoral y los magistrados de la Corte Suprema.

Almagro condenó una “inacción” de la región y pidió al Consejo Permanente, que reúne a los 34 países miembro, “resultados concretos” para “restaurar la democracia” en Venezuela.

“Esperar soluciones de un proceso de diálogo que no es tal (...) nos hace cómplices desde la comodidad de esperar por la acción de otros. Genera responsabilidad por omisión”, señaló.

La primera versión del informe, que Almagro presentó en junio pasado a los países miembros, provocó un debate inconcluso en el organismo sobre la aplicación de la Carta Democrática Interamericana, que faculta a la OEA a intervenir en casos de alteración constitucional.

En su actualización, el jefe del organismo denunció que ninguna de las recomendaciones enumeradas en el informe se cumplieron.

Parlamento declara crisis humanitaria de alimentos La Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela (AN, Parlamento), de mayoría opositora, aprobó este martes declarar la “crisis humanitaria en materia alimentaria” en el país, un acuerdo enmarcado en “una crisis social sin precedentes” que, aseguran los diputados, tiene a tres millones de venezolanos “comiendo desperdicios”.

La llamada “Declaratoria de crisis humanitaria en materia alimentaria en Venezuela”, que fue aprobada de manera unánime por la oposición parlamentaria y con el voto ausente del bando oficialista, será enviada a la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA) y a las Naciones Unidas, entre otros organismos internacionales.

En la declaración se considera que “el modelo económico impuesto por el Ejecutivo nacional basado en estatismo, expropiaciones arbitrarias, controles abusivos de precios y en desprecio de la iniciativa privada en la economía solo ha tenido como resultado el colapso a niveles históricos en la producción nacional” .

También se considera que las consecuencias en la población de “las malas políticas económicas y el estado crítico de la producción nacional que ellas han ocasionado han llevado a una crisis social sin precedentes que se expresa en 82 % de hogares pobres, 73 % de personas perdiendo peso” .

Se indica en el acuerdo que gracias a estas políticas hay 52 % de niños que corren el riesgo de padecer o padecen de desnutrición “y 3 millones de venezolanos comiendo desperdicios” .

Se señala, además, que la industria agrícola sufre la escasez de materias primas lo que también dificulta la atención de las necesidades alimentarias de la población.

En el acuerdo se critican los estatales Comités Locales de Abastecimiento y Producción (CLAP) que fueron creados hace casi un año por el Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro para vender y distribuir alimentos básicos y que, según se indica en el documento, han atendido a “solo el 10 % de la población” .

Los CL AP , dice la declaratoria, “no atacan las causas de la crisis alimentaria al ser un mecanismo basado netamente en las importaciones de productos que además propicia la corrupción” .

Como parte del acuerdo se decidió crear una comisión especial que analizará las acciones que deben emprenderse “para impedir que la crisis humanitaria siga causando perjuicios irreversibles a los venezolanos” .

Esta comisión también identificará las “fuentes de cooperación internacional para combatir el hambre en Venezuela” que incorporen a organizaciones religiosas, delegaciones diplomáticas y organismos internacionales.

Se acuerda exigir al jefe de Estado, Nicolás Maduro, “la inmediata sustitución” del ministro de Alimentación, Rodolfo Marco y la comparecencia ante la AN del coordinador nacional de los CL AP , Freddy Bernal y del ministro de Agricultura Productiva, Wilmer Castro Solteldo.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Bar Association of Belize Annual Law Conference 2017

WHATRadisson HAS CITCO DONE FOR YOU LATELY? Fort George Hotel Darrell Bradley

Tuesday, 07 March 2017 In one year, the UDP Belize City Council will go to the polls. It is likely that Darrell Bradley, shamed in Caribbean Shores, will again run for Mayor.

The other names will March 10th 2017 probably remain the same. When By: Valerie Woods they come to you asking for your Topic: “The Implementation of UNCAC vote, you should ask them to pointin Belize – what potential pitfalls be out their achievements in should this last avoided, and what political, up social and term, since the drying of the economic environment to enPetrocaribe moniesis required and Central sure proper implementation.”

Government largesse. You should Presentation Focus: ask them to name one project the The political will required to properly Council well for implement accomplished the convention, along withthe the benefit of the people in the city – social and economic benefit of implemenone project which was done well tation. and has held up, oneParty project that The People’s United supported the accession to the UNCACrapidly recognizing has not deteriorated or it somehow would take abecome serious dedicated effort screwed up byof any government to properly the conmismanagement, one have project of vention implemented.

It will be an which the Belize City Councilongocan ing process but one that requires a radical be proud. change from doing business as usual. No picture contained thisto less isThe required if we as a nationinare article is a fitting symbol of the give real meaning to what we acceded to.

Council’s inadequacy and inabilProper implementation requires acitywillingness to get anything right. Practitual and not rhetorical political commitment the photo opportunity of cally everyforstreet fixed with the signing yet another declaration with no proceeds of a $20M municipal real intention of enforcement.

Anything bond is breaking up. Sidewalks less is just lip service. are breaking up. The streets flood Lip service not only on the part of the with the slightest downpour.

Government, but of the opposition, of the Downtown Belize City is filthy, private sector institutions, organizations with theinstitutions homeless, chaland public thatmentally say we want to lenged and panhandlers roaming stamp out corruption or put a serious dent wild and free, mingling into it. People around the worldwith todaythe are tourists to give them idea of actively demonstrating theiranintolerance forwhat the same oldCity sameisold.

Belize all Populism about. is on the rise because simplyevery fed of Did you people know of that the same type of politics.

Therefore, all member of the Belize City Council ofisuspaid have close to be far more proactive. to $4000 a month?

No longer is it acceptable to sit back in the armchair of the opposition and poke holes in Government actions or inactions.

The opposition has to be constructive and proactive in its bona fide commitment to seeing the proper implementation of UNCAC. 1. Social benefits of implementation: • An enhanced standard of integrity for public officials • Improved distribution of power in society • Improved distribution of wealth and opportunity (access to land, better healthcare, education) • Improved access to better housing, security and food: basic items that any government is expected to provide • Value and quality for money spent on public infrastructure- we should not accept pointing to buildings, streets and stadiums as proof as money well

the necessary dedicated resources (administrative, technical and financial). The Integrity Commission among its staffing requirements needs a forensic investigator. How many of these professionals do we have in Belize? If we are serious about UNCAC will our educational system be looking to attract more in this ernment but not chaired by either to lead profession? the planning process and make the recGiven the bleak outlook of the econommendations to government for effec- omy, a judicial system that has always tive implementation. The Opposition party been underfunded and government destands ready to be a part of this working partments that are woefully lacking in group. We have to lead by example for our professional expertise versus political bonafide commitment to work with the appointees, it will not be easy. HowGovernment, private sector, civil society ever, it is not impossible to commence and other public institutions. with the small steps, to grasp the low • Lack of a roadmap to imple- hanging fruits. If we as a country, as a mentation: in order to appreciate what citizenry are sincerely committed when Phillip Willoughby Dean Samuels all needs to be done for compliance, the we say we want to make it significantdedicated group of experts has to analyze ly more difficult for corrupt acts to sucstalled Cityneeds Hall and lize City Council area? Has what mechanisms exist,atwhat im- ceed, it is this level in of your commitment that provement and what laws and/or poli- isyour afternew being installed garbage been picked up? Do required. cies needs to beatadded any)They to prioritize hanging fruits such as a properCity (ifHall. have youLow have running water and elecactions. For effective this lytricity? constituted doneimplementation, exceedingly well Havepublic youraccounts Londoncommittee, Bridges has to be donefor withthemselves. meaningful, achievindependent & boundaries Look an been replaced elections with properly orgaable, practical targets/actions and timeline. commission with a realistic budget, an at how they are livnized, well-constructed streets so A common pitfall is to be overly ambitious. independent integrity commission with that you can access your homes? ing. Are you living that Prioritization is key in identifying the ac- resources, mandatory dissemination of Does the Belize City Council even well? tions that can be taken on quickly. public bidding for public contracts, mandaWhat has Dean know that you are there? financial re• Monitoring & Evaluation: Too of- tory dissemination of audited done and for plans you, ports The people of Belize need ten we come upSamuels with strategies of statutory boards and City government the residents Belize City M&E lately? to think.

Theysuch need to analyse.

It but do not includeofthe necessary re- private agencies as Belize InfrastrucWhat Willoughby done ture quired tohas trackPhillip the degree to which changLimited moniesmindlessly. being spent is time to whose stop voting es and impacts are being made.

We must thetime monies of thevoting Belizean for you, the residents of Belize City are It is to stop fortaxpayers. colour hold ourselves accountable and itdone will These are just a few examples of low lately?

What has Michael Theus based on blind, rabid fanaticism mean a serious effort to track and report hanging fruits or quick actions that would for you, the residents of Belize City and/or a handout. After consecuon improvements in the system and the complement any serious efforts toward lately? tive terms in office, the Belize City results thereof. of UNCAC. Look around you. Has the quality implementation Council has shown that it is all glit• Lack of public awareness on the Under any entrenched system of corof your life in theapplies city been ter andtax no evasion, substance, just like the UNCAC: UNCAC not improved? just to the ruption, unjust enrichment, Are your streets any better?

You peoUDP’s leader.

Why would you voteall public sector but also to the private sector, the result is the poor gets poorer. We ple in Southside BELIZE CITY…have for them municipal elections the civil society, academic institutions and need to be when radically serious about changyou seenEach the sector Councillors fromhas thea Bethe like. of society role ing rollthe around? rules ofTHINK. the game. We, the opposiit plays to developing the country proper- tion, and the wider public of Belize cannot ly. In so doing, each sector also will need be resigned to the type of politics we have to do its part to assist in UNCAC imple- if we are to properly implement UNCAC. mentation. We must all do our part yes as If we are really going to tackle corleaders but first as citizens to not encour- ruption, then all of us must insist on real, age corrupt practices. This can only be tangible, change for the prevention of corbridged with sustained public education. ruption not only in public life but also in the WIN HOPE INTERNATIONAL LTD. #79, 302 Social Security Board’s recent tertiary level private sector, organizations and public indebate on UNCAC is one example(“the of an Company”) stitutions. encouraging step in this direction. The Anything else is lip service and cheap to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Compaplan for Pursuant implementation once completed political tricks by both government and opneeds to Act, be publicly disseminated both lo- ofposition. nies Chapter 270 of the Laws Belize, Because Revisedimplementation Edition 2000, of UNcallynotice and internationally to ensure the CACINTERNATIONAL will need to be doneLTD.: even when the is hereby given that that WIN HOPE political a) pressure remains.

Government changes and the opposition Is in dissolution 4. The Most Critical Ingredient for take the reigns. UNCAC is not a red promb) Commenced dissolution on the 7th day of March, 2017; and Success: Political Will ise or a blue promise. It is what so many c) CILTrust International Barrack A mandate for anti-corruption hasInc. to whose marchedaddress for, why is so35 many supported havRoad, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company. be backed up by the necessary funding ing their children out of school for 2 weeks, to sustain the work required. This Mon- and why so many teachers sacrificed their day is the budgetInternational presentation. Limited Let’s pay for months. It’s a commitment to BeCIL Trust look outRegistered to see the commitment of Gov- lize that goes beyond changes in governAgent ernment, having acceded, in providing ment and party colors.

spent. What needs to be shown by any government are the bids received, and the costs and explanations as to why more monies were needed than what was budgeted for them • Poverty alleviation: corrupt government systems provide environment for public officials to live comfortably while many they are to serve are living miserably • A more informed and engaged citizenry, private sector and civil society 2. The Economic Benefits of Implementation • Proper implementation means less reckless government spending and therefore potential to gain real surpluses in annual budgets • Good governance attracts foreign investment which increases much needed foreign exchange • Cost of doing business should go down since mechanisms in place would shine the spotlight on corrupt acts and serve as a deterrent for businesses, inWhat exactly do they do to with thatin dividuals and public officials engage corrupt practices. more the levelworks playing money?

Can theyAshow field forhave all businesses not a few select they done toandbetter Belize ones. The truth is that there are metCity?

• Proper lead al grates over implementation gaping holes can in the to tax incentives for private sector comstreet which have been missing for panies which establishes and practices months, and programmes the Council can’t even anti-corruption replace them. are streets in • InvestorThere confidence Belize City where mounds of rotting 3. The pitfalls to be avoided: garbage have piled up moun• Complacency– onlylike if sufficient politicaland pressure is brought to bear tains, the Council can’t evenon governments will they be pressured deal with those. So what exactlyto honor commitment under has thethe Council done forrequired the people UNCAC. Since acceding to the convention of Belize City? It’s a valid question. on Dec 9th 2016, there has been no progDid you know that Mayor Darress report on the road to implementation. rell Bradley is a full time attorney The opposition has not been consulted or and spends all his time in Court ininformed on anything regarding UNCAC. stead of representing the city?

Did Nor have we demanded that we have a you know that tohe receives a very seat at the table engage in what needs large salary to be the full-time Mayto be done.

9th,that no sustained pubor? - Did since you Dec know the Mayor lic outcry any private sector institution uses his from taxpayer funded vehicle to or non-government organizations be driven all over this country including reprethe BNTU, the BCCI the know BAR Associsenting clients?

Didoryou that ation to insist that the Public Accounts daughter of Sedi Elrington Alifah Committee be properly re-constituted. It Elrington is a full time attorney, but would certainly complement the sincerity also received her monthly salary of signing unto UNCAC from• thePoor Belize Council? mechearlyCity implementation AndAny interestingly, residents of anisms: first steps made for preventativecity, measures corruption in public the take aof look at the Mayorlife post Dec 9th 2016 before should be done inwith and Councillors being the spirit of UNCAC in mind. It can be argued the composition of the newly constituted Integrity Commission is an example of such a pitfall that could have Brahma Blue Resort, located at San Pedro Ambergris Caye. Resort consist of 4.013 been avoided if we as acres total along with a 14 three bedrooms units building with a pool and outdoor a country were sincere bar area. Call 636-6245 or can be reached by email at gflreceivership@gmail.com for about this important further information. oversight mechanism.

A properly composed commission would bode well for UNCAC. • Lack of a planning group/implementation oversight: a small dedicated group of experts (local and international) should be convened with representation from both opposition and gov-

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24

THE BELIZE TIMES

19 MAR

2017