Belize Times May 28, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

28 MAY 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5047

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

BARROW SCARED UDP Goons Dispatched to Derail Hearings Thursday, 25 May 2017 This week, the PUP demonstrated a valuable lesson in real leadership with its decision to not fight fire with fire and force with force at the Senate hearing scheduled for Wednesday. It had become clear from intelligence reports that the UDP intended to have thugs on hand to attack Senator Eamon Courtenay with a view to once again having the Senate suspended. It was clear too, that the Prime Minister would not call off the thugs, led by his UDP Chairman, which could only mean that he fully condones the disruption of Senate hearings.

The PUP could have mobilized buses in support of its Senator, but that would almost certainly have resulted in bloodshed, which would again have played into the

hands of the UDP, since that would have been just the excuse the UDP needs to end the hearings. Both UDP-appointed Chairman Aldo Salazar and Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber have stated publicly that they want the hearings over and done with.

PUP Leader John Briceño has insisted that the Party will take the high road to ensure that the hearings will continue, giving the Prime Minister no opportunity to call an early end to what has been a series of startling revelations. So the decision was made to suggest the postponement of the hearings for one week to deal with the matter of UDP Chairman Alberto August and his insistence on disrupting the hearings.

UDP & Castro Afraid of Alvarine

Pg. 2

Pg. 2

RECRUITMENT

DRIVE FOR B.A.C.

END CONSTIPATION NOW!

SOUTHSIDE ‘INSTITUTION’ GUNNED DOWN Pg. 2

Louis Wade

Robert Montero

Bogus Charges Lands Media Personality in Court Pg. 3

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28 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

UDP & Castro BARROW SCARED Afraid of Alvarine Continued from page 1 What has scared Prime Minister Dean Barrow so badly?

Could it be the fact that just two weeks ago former UDP Minister Elvin Penner revealed that Mr. Barrow and Cabinet were fully aware of everything happening in the Immigration Department since they were given monthly activity reports?

Note that the first disruption in the Senate came immediately after Penner made that revelation. The disruption also comes immediately before it has become clear that UDP Ministers will be called to testify before the Committee.

The attack is against Senator Courtenay, conveniently, because he has been the most skilled at grilling these persons and getting them to reveal the depths of the corruption at the Ministry. The UDP, and Mr. Barrow, are running scared, and Belizeans should be very curious about that.

The People’s United Party has issued a release in which it condemns the clear intent by the UDP to bring violence into the sanctity of the National Assembly, clearly just for the purpose of disrupting hearings so no more of the ugly truth comes out. The PUP leader has also insisted that no matter what, those hearings will be allowed to continue because that truth, no matter how ugly, is what has been demanded

by Belizeans.

At least 13 Ministers have been named in the Auditor-General’s reports, including the Prime Minister, and it is the intention of the Committee that each and every one of them will be given the chance to answer the tough questions, just like the public officers before them. Nobody, not a Minister and not a Prime Minister, is above the law. The PUP will not be distracted or intimidated by threats of violence.

Thursday, 25 May 2017 Whistleblower Alvarine Burgess was scheduled to testify this past Wednesday at the Senate Inquiry. Since the hearing was postponed, she will appear next week.

But while her testimony is most anxiously awaited by Belizeans, poor Minister Edmond Castro must be having a conniption fit. The last time the shady Minister and the feisty whistleblower locked horns, he ended up with the horn stuck in a very uncomfortable place. When Castro took Alvarine to Court for revealing his role in the largescale facilitation of Visas for a large fee, he was forced to drop the case after the Court believed her story and not his.

Castro’s fear and anxiety have no doubt been communicated to Committee Chair Aldo Salazar, who took to the

media to insist that Alvarine does not have to appear and he does not see what she can add to the hearing.

“I can really say I have no idea what her purpose is.

I cannot prepare any questions for her because there is not material on which I can ask any questions in the report…I really don’t see how any testimony from her can elaborate on my report as to how we can improve the processes and procedures of what went wrong in the Immigration Department…what she said has been ventilated in the public before… so basically, in order to prepare I have to go off what Belizeans call ‘yeri-soh’.”

But that’s like blindly dismissing what transpired in Court as it relates to Government Minister Edmund Castro and the alleged sale

SOUTHSIDE ‘INSTITUTION’ GUNNED DOWN Thursday, 25 May 2017 Andrew Bennett, 42, known to many as “Hard Rock” is the latest victim in the ongoing urban warfare on Belize City’s southside. At about a quarter to 8 p.m. on Wednesday night he was at a bus shed when a man walked up to him and opened fire.

Residents told the Belize Times that they heard as many as ten shots.

Bennett, a father of three, attempted to run but collapsed a short distance from his home on Central American Boulevard. His body was transported to the morgue at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where it awaits a post mortem examination.

When we caught up with Bennett’s mother, Ethel Nicholas, she was devastated.

She shared with the Belize Times her last moments with her only son.

“I see ah dih morning. Whole day ih neva deh da ih house til dih evening.

Den ih send ih little daughter ova to get some food to eat and we send dih food and just afta dat wih just hear dih shots dem start ring out. Wi nuh know

LOCAL

weh happen, wi nuh know why.”

When the Belize Times asked if there was any indication that he was troubled, his mother told us that there was no clue whatsoever. She told our newspaper that she will remember him as a mannerly child who was always smiling.

According to Nicholas, before falling in love with music Bennett fell in love with sports, specifically football.

He had earned his name on the field after wearing a jersey sponsored by Hard Rock Café.

His affair with music began at age 14 right up until his death. He had been inspired at the time by prominent deejay, “Prezzy D,” a former classmate who had lived nearby. Prezzy D took him under his wings and nurtured his career until the two would square off at a sound clash in which Prezzy D, his teacher, would be defeated by him, the student. Prezzy D’s former Manager, Evan Mose Hyde, would later become Hard Rock’s employer for at least three years at KREM Radio.

Via his Facebook account, Hyde reflected on Hard Rock’s contributions

to his community, “There is a youth sanctuary on Central American Blvd, it has been there almost two decades. This sanctuary has been a training ground for young boys from the community to learn the sound system hustle…At this sanctuary on the boulevard young boys are not encouraged to drink or to smoke, they don't carry guns and they don't commit crimes. They learn to back speakers, to fix them, to build them and most of all to love music and rock the party.”

“This sanctuary was self-sponsored by our fallen friend, Hard Rock.

He did more for endangered young boys in his neighborhood than many so call leaders, he did so without acknowledgement or praise and without support. He created an incubator on the boulevard, an incubator made of woofers and tweeters. This country should collectively grieve for his murder, for we have lost a soul that is rare and irreplaceable,” the statement ended.

Police have not made any arrest in connection with this murder. Furthermore, they have declined an interview with the media.

WEATHER

25 May

26 May

27 May

28 May

29 May

of visas. Back in 2015, Castro who had brought a defamation suit against Burgess and Channel 5 had to backtrack and unexpectedly withdrew the claim. That’s because the Judge, Justice Courtney Abel warned him that his case was not strong and he would likely face a negative judgment if the trial proceeded. Burgess accused him of taking money to recommend Asian nationals for Belize visas and accepting a $2,000 bribe for each application. On the witness stand, Castro’s testimony was rubbished and he had to admit to doing all that Burgess claimed (including facilitating visas and risking his reputation by signing the recommendation letters). What he never admitted to was taking money, although nobody really believes that he didn’t.

So how could the Inquiry Chairman justify an unwillingness to hear from Burgess who can provide further insight about the alleged parallel operation to the Immigration Department? Salazar’s response was: “Because we already know that things went wrong in the Department. We already know how documents were being presented which were falsified by certain people who were operatives. All of this has come out. We have an example of somebody who says that they tried to bribe an officer. We know there were attempts. At least we know of one. Should we then call 15 people to say that they attempted to bribe somebody? In my view, it’s not going to help us.”

All we can say in this case is that Salazar’s red slip has been showing more and more these days, and it is certainly not sexy.

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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30 May

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28 MAY

2017

03 3

THE BELIZE TIMES

Bogus Charges Lands Media Personality in Court

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Plus TV’s Louis Wade, who is well known as the morning talk-show host and a journalist for the station’s newscast, has been criminally charged following a report made by the son of UDP Minister Rene Montero. Wade claims that Police are pushing a false allegation against him, while sitting on their hands and refusing to investigate his legitimate report. Possibly the most shocking element of this ordeal Wade now finds himself in is that he encountered the Minister’s son while looking into a report on supposed corruption in Government.

So, how did these 2 come in conflict with each other? Well, according to Wade, on November 27, 2016, he received information that right that moment, there were vehicles and heavy equipment belonging to the Ministry of Works being used on work on a private contract for the renovation of the Santa Elena Sports Complex.

As readers are aware, Rene Montero is the Minister of Works As any tenacious journalist would do, Wade seized the opportunity to get to the scene in time, and he did manage to take video and pictures of everyone working on the sporting facility. Wade’s account is that while doing his work, Robert Montero, Rene Montero’s son, drove into the compound and headed at him, as if to run him over with the red pick-up he was driving.

Wade said that he had to jump out of the way of the vehicle to avoid being hit. He added that Montero attempted to block him from recording video and take video of what was happening at the worksite.

Wade said that he showed the footage to his viewers of the show at the earliest convenience, and he announced that he intended to go and make a police report against Robert Montero. But the Minister’s son incredibly went first, and he made a counter-complaint against Wade, claiming that Wade assaulted him and cursed him out.

It gets interesting from here, because according to Wade, the cops from San Ignacio ignored his report, half-heartedly attempted to speak with witnesses who would have corroborated his story over Roberto Montero’s version. Now, for those who don’t understand legal procedures, on misdemeanour offences there is a statute bar limitation of 6 months. This means that the clock starts running, and if 6 months has passed after the date of an alleged offense, police and the DPP’s Office are unable to prosecute the person accused of that crime.

Wade claims that there was some sort of political interference employed to get the commanding officer to pull an investigator off the case who had already determined that Montero’s report against him was false.

He further claims that a new officer was assigned who ignored his evidence against Montero, and instead proceeded to charge him with only a few days to go before the 6-month deadline prevented them from doing so.

He has since been criminally arraigned before the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court on common assault and using insulting words. Since these are very minor charges, he was able to plead not guilty and be released on bail.

Wade has asserted that this an attempt to go after him for doing his job as a member of the press. If the allegations are true that the Ministry of Works was allowing government assets to be used to complete a private contract, it would have been another scandal that the Barrow Government would have to face head-on.

Superintendent Richard Rosado, the officer commanding San Ignacio Police, has asserted in the strongest terms that they have provable evidence against Wade, that these crimes did occur. He suggests that Wade is distorting the facts of the incident to shift blame away from himself.

The Churches who make up the National Evangelical Association of Belize, have strongly come out in support of Wade. They’ve release a statement which says, “The National Evangelical Association of Belize and its 250+ national churches express its shock and outrage at the bogus and biased charges brought against one of our pastors, Pastor Louis Wade Jr. This type of biased and corrupt “law enforcement” happens repeatedly and is part of why crime, violence, injustice, and corruption continue to be the order of the day…”

PUP Release UDP Seeks to Derail Senate Hearings May 24, 2017 --- Even though we are aware of the Prime Minister’s heavyhandedness and the dictatorial manner in which he runs the country, the People’s United Party is seriously concerned and appalled at his disingenuous actions where the Senate Hearings are concerned. We are convinced, beyond any doubt reasonable otherwise, that theaBarrow do calls anything possible This is a sadorday for democracy, sad dayadministration for Belize! Thewill PUP on the police to derail the to Senate so thatsecurity the truth about Ministerial wrongdoings the department installHearings all necessary measures.

The people of Belizeinand Immigration Department areagainst not exposed for the Belizean people see. the PUP remain resilient any threats to disrupt theseto hearings and condemns all such acts that thwarts the very essence of our democracy.

Late last evening, the PUP became aware that UDP operatives had organized thugs to instigate violence at the sitting of the Senate. This violence, then, would ---End--have been an excuse to discontinue the hearings, the clear intention of the UDP as stated publicly by UDP-appointed Committee Chair, Aldo Salazar and Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber.

A decision was made, in conjunction with the Committee, to postpone the sitting for a week while definitive action is taken to remove UDP Chairman Alberto August, UDP thugs and any threat of violence against anyone from the equation.

It was a difficult decision to make, but the Party fully realizes that the UDP will use any and every opportunity to disrupt the cross-examination of UDP Ministers, and that cannot be allowed to happen. The PUP felt, and still feels, that a postponement of one week is a small price to pay to allow for the hearings to continue until all is revealed.

As a Party, and as Belizeans, we condemn the UDP’s hijacking of the Senate hearing under threat of violence, and we condemn the Prime Minister for allowing, perhaps even condoning the intent of violence against sitting Senators. We call him out for being patently disingenuous, since Alberto August and the other hired thugs work for him, and take instructions from him. By that token, the Prime Minister could have, with a word, called off his “dogs” and allowed the hearings to continue as demanded by the Belizean people.

This is a sad day for democracy, a sad day for Belize! The PUP calls on the police department to install all necessary security measures. The people of Belize and the PUP remain resilient against any threats to disrupt these hearings and condemns all such acts that thwarts the very essence of our democracy.

---End---

0 4 4 04

THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please say why he is so desperate to stop the Senate Special Select Committee hearings? Could he further confirm or deny reports that he instructed UDP Chairman Alberto August to disrupt the sitting?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please say exactly how much Government pays for its fuel bill every month?

Could he further say if it has gone down at all since his so-called cost-cutting measures?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that his ex-wife, Lois Young-Barrow, has packed up her belongings and is heading home to Belize to become the attorney of choice for the government, since there is much more money to me made here than at her diplomatic posting?

Would the Member for Collet and Deputy Prime Minister please say if he will offer any response to evidence that he has beaten up women while under the influence of alcohol? Could he further say if he will make an unqualified apology to those women?

Would the unelected senator, political failure and junior Minister in Natural Resources please say why she has not asked any questions at the Senate hearings? Could she further say why she has not launched an investigation into massive corruption by former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works please confirm or deny reports that he has been using government equipment to do private works for private gain? Could he further say if he and his son trumped up charges against media personality Louis Wade in an attempt to keep that evidence hidden?

Would the Member for Orange Walk North, disgraced former Deputy Prime Minister and corrupt former Minister of Natural Resource please confirm or deny reports that he has been approached by his friend the Prime Minister to ask if he would consider coming back to the UDP as leader?

28 MAY

2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

Apologies to Alberto…

I feel so terrible. Here I was thinking all sorts of unkind things about the bald bozo-looking UDP Chairman, my good, good friend Alberto. And I didn’t understand the pressure the man is under.

No wonder he was acting like a retarded fool in the Senate last week. A mutual friend just told me that the man’s ex-wife got married this past weekend, and he is an emotional wreck because she has been telling everyone who will listen that her new love is TWICE the man Alberto is, if you know what I mean. And even besides that, I’ve learned that the poor Chairman has a lot more than that on his mind, due to a death in the ‘extended’ family recently. I swear, the guy must be on an emotional rollercoaster so I forgive him for being so stupid.

BAC...

To show you the measure of this wonderful man, my friend Alberto, in the midst of his own personal turmoil, and at the top of his emotional rollercoaster, he is still concerned for his people’s digestive processes. I was pleased and proud to hear that he has formed a new organization, BAC – the Belizeans Against Constipation. I mean, so many of us suffer silently from this dreaded blockage, and now we have somebody to speak for us, somebody who is not afraid to go on Facebook to admit that his bowel movement is getting larger and larger. We are humbled by your courage, my brother, and I personally wish you many more happy moments on your toilet.

Torn…

I’m told that Godwin Hulse has been summoned to appear before the Senate Special Select Committee. I’m torn. Part of me wants to see the old windbag put in the hot seat because the reality is that he was Minister of Immigration when all the really bad shit was taking place and he did nothing to stop it. But another part of me dreads listening to Godwin for any period of time.

That’s going to be a tough one.

Where is Carlos Perdomo?

You’ve got to be kidding me…there’s a lil bird insisting that Cabinet Secretary Carlos Perdomo has suddenly left the building and plans to take up residence in the UK. Now how interesting is that, especially since he allegedly decided to leave the country just a couple days before he was to be called to the Senate to testify at the hearings. Perdomo’s name has been called plenty in the Auditor-General’s report, and recent testimony suggests that he deliberately instructed processing of a passport when he knew the applicant did not qualify. In the words of the UDP Chairman, this is fast turning into a political circus, with UDP Minister past and present scurrying like rats for cover. Let them know…you can run but you can’t hide.

Welcome Lois…

Well check this one out…very reliable sources are telling this blasphemous heathen of a scribe that the first wife second lady is heading back home in a hurry. Seems like Lois has her bags packed and is ready to go, leaving on a jet plane to Belize. Sources close to the family say that with the departure of Brother Barrow, there is need for an attorney of choice, since everybody knows that the Barrows are the only ones qualified to eat. So first-wife Barrow is heading home where we are told she will immediately take over outstanding litigation. My lerd, you would think that the family Barrow has gotten enough out of the public trough. I guess not.

Marconi’s slush fund…

A couple weeks ago we revealed that Pablo’s suegro Erwin had announced to his committee that he would not contest an additional term for the UDP. Seems that fellow has gotten a little panicked about scrutiny from the US based on, shall we say, his plentiful Immigration transactions and allegations in the Auditor-General’s report that he was very fund of bringing foreign investors into the country – investors who miraculously received Belizean nationality shortly after. Anyway so it appears that Erwin will be replaced by Senator Goofy, Marconi Sosa…you know the slow-talking, slow-thinking bally who comes across as a lil retarded? (sorry Kim) Anyway so there’s currently a huge outcry in NICH because it seems that Sosa, who appears to be the Administrator of that organization is making set moves to remove oversight which would then allow him virtually unchecked access to funds available to NICH. Apparently his mentor, El Odio, isn’t coming up just yet as he promised he would, so Marconi has decided to make his own fortunes, so to speak. This is a situation we’ll keep following – just because he sounds so damned silly in the Senate.

Seriously tho…

On a very serious note, there is a real lack of medication, critical medication in our medical facilities and in our pharmacies. It has to do with the tendering for medication being taken away from certain suppliers and given to other suppliers, and a whole mess cause by the electrician and his lady love, Erwin’s daughter. We’ll need to check more into this one because it’s no joke, and the Ministry of Health has become clueless and voiceless all of a sudden. We’ll have much more information on this very soon.

28 MAY

2017

05 5

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

en Español

Nails in the Coffin Los clavos en el ataúd

T

wo very significant and disturbing events have taken place recently, revealing a United Democratic Party which has become so drunk on its own power that its officials and operatives can act in as brazen and unlawful a manner as they wish with no repercussions forthcoming. Additionally, these thuggish UDPs are now clearly being aided and abetted by those who are mandated to serve and protect us, but seem to think they are there solely to serve and protect the UDP. On Wednesday last the UDP were in the Senate with one purpose in mind – to disrupt the hearing because former UDP Minister Elvin Penner was giving testimony. The week before, Penner had under oath revealed something which made his Prime Minister look very bad. The political pariah of Wonhong Kim infamy revealed that every month Cabinet was given activity reports from the Ministry of Immigration. If that is indeed so, and Penner swears it is, then the Prime Minister was very well aware of what was happening in that corruption-plagued Department, including how many Visas and other documents were being facilitated by his Ministers.

The media latched onto that incriminating piece of testimony, and Mr. Barrow was asked about it following the sitting of the House on Friday. Of course, he was quick to pull a ‘Mr. Middleton,’ claiming with brow wrinkled that he had no recollection of those activity reports. But there is little doubt that he did, and very little doubt that he dispatched his thugs to disrupt the next sitting on Wednesday.

Notice that following that obviously orchestrated event, Chairman Aldo Salazar was very quick to send Mr. Penner packing even though it was clear that there were many more questions to be asked.

What is even more troubling about this debacle in the Senate Wednesday is that Mace-bearer Brian “Yellowman” Audinett assaulted two members of the media – stoning one with a pen and yanking a phone out of another’s hand. He also threatened another with physical injury. It was all caught on tape – the threat and the assaults. What is also on tape is that Police Officers stood there and allowed this all to play out without making a move to stop Audinett, or to detain him after. Audinett, and UDP Chairman Alberto August knew that the Police would not stop them. They knew that they could do what they want. They knew that Salazar would send Penner home, aborting any chance of his inadvertently revealing something else which could embarrass the Prime Minister. They knew because the drama was well-scripted.

On Friday there was another event which is a clear attack on the media. Personality Louis Wade of Plus Television was arrested, charged and arraigned for Assault and Using Insulting Words. The charges are clearly trumped up by the son of UDP Minister Rene Montero. The Officer Commanding San Ignacio is known to be a very fervent supporter of the UDP and it does not appear that the matter was handled properly from the onset.

Those who know Wade know that he has been very critical of the government.

He is also in possession of information which portrays Minister Rene Montero in a very negative light where the use of government resources for private gain is concerned. Those who are familiar with the incident know that Wade was aggressed by Montero’s son, yet it is he who was arrested and charged without the benefit of a proper investigation. It is a travesty.

The Prime Minister has said nothing about either incident. He has not come out to condemn his UDP Chairman for the shameful incident in the Senate. He has not made an official statement about the assaults or threat committed by his mace-bearer. Indeed, it is as if neither of these incidents, in his opinion, is worthy of comment. It is like if nothing important happened. It is like the attacks on the media are unimportant.

On Friday, the People’s United Party walked out of the Senate in protest after the President refused to let them speak about what happened on Wednesday. Still, the Party has issued a strong condemnation of the thuggish and unlawful behaviour of the UDP. So has the Chamber of Commerce and other social partners. But Mr. Barrow does not care. Mr. Faber does not care. The UDP does not care. Exactly what was supposed to happen did happen.

Mr. Barrow and his unruly peons will, hopefully, get their comeuppance sooner rather than later. People like Mr. August and Mr. Audinett who operate by intimidation and have been allowed to get away with it will try it with the wrong persons who will answer force with force. It is clear that law-abiding citizens can no longer rely on the Police to protect them. Far too many of our officers have been bought and paid for by the UDP. Far too many of our officers are afraid of being victimized by the UDP. But it is only a matter of time before the tipping point is reached. By its own actions the UDP has dug its own grave and one by one, is putting nails in its own coffin. Just a matter of time…

D

os eventos muy significativos y perturbadores han tenido lugar recientemente, revelando un Partido Unido Democrático que tanto se ha embriagado de poder que sus funcionarios y agentes pueden actuar de manera descarada e ilegal a su antojo sin repercusiones anticipadas. Además, estos despiadados UDPs son ahora claramente ayudados e instigados por quienes tienen el mandato de servir y protegernos, pero que parecen pensar que existen únicamente para servir y

proteger al UDP. El pasado miércoles los UDP fueron al Senado con un propósito en mente – interrumpir la audiencia porque el ex ministro UDP Elvin Penner daba testimonio. La semana anterior Penner, bajo juramento, reveló algo que hizo que su Primer Ministro se vea muy mal. El paria político de la infamia Wonhong Kim reveló que mensualmente se le daba informes al gabinete de las actividades del Ministerio de Inmigración. Si esto es efectivamente así, y Penner jura que es, entonces el Primer Ministro estaba consciente de lo que estaba sucediendo en ese departamento plagado de corrupción, incluyendo cuántas Visas y otros documentos fueron facilitados por sus Ministros.

La prensa no tardo en recoger esa parte incriminatoria del testimonio, y el Sr. Barrow fue interrogado el viernes acerca de eso después de la sesión de la Cámara de Representantes. Por supuesto, rápidamente se hizo el zafe al estilo del 'Sr. Middleton,' alegando con el ceño arrugado que no tenía ningún recuerdo de tales informes de actividades.

Pero no hay duda que si las tenía, y muy pocas dudas de que fue el quien envío a sus matones a interrumpir la siguiente sesión del miércoles. Observe que después de ese evento obviamente orquestado, el Presidente Aldo Salazar se apresuró a despachar al Sr. Penner aunque es evidente que había muchas preguntas más por hacer.

Lo que es aún más preocupante sobre este desastre en el Senado el miércoles es que el portador del mazo de la cámara de representantes Brian "Yellowman" Audinett asalto a dos miembros de los medios de comunicación – a uno tirándole con un bolígrafo y a otro arrebatándole un teléfono de la mano. También amenazó a otro con daño físico. Todo se grabó, la amenaza y los ataques. Lo que también se grabo es que agentes de la policía estaban allí y permitieron que todo esto sucediera sin hacer un movimiento para parar a Audinett, o para detenerlo después. Audinett y el Presidente del UDP Alberto August sabían que la policía no los detendría. Ellos sabían que podían hacer lo que quieran. Ellos sabían que Salazar enviaría a Penner a su casa, anulando cualquier posibilidad de que revelara algo más inadvertidamente que podría dejar en vergüenza al Primer Ministro. Lo sabían porque el drama estaba bien ensayado.

El viernes hubo otro evento que es un claro ataque a los medios de comunicación. Louis Wade, personalidad de televisión fue detenido, acusado y procesado por asalto y uso de palabras ofensivas. Los cargos son claramente inventados por el hijo del Ministro UDP René Montero. El oficial al mando de San Ignacio es conocido por ser un partidario ferviente del UDP y no parece que el asunto fue manejado correctamente desde el inicio.

Los que conocen a Wade saben que ha sido muy crítico del gobierno. También tiene en su posesión información que presenta una imagen negativa del Ministro Rene Montero sobre la utilización de recursos públicos para beneficio privado. Aquellos que están familiarizados con los hechos saben que Wade fue agredido por el hijo de Montero, sin embargo, fue él quien fue detenido y acusado sin el beneficio de una investigación adecuada. Es una farsa.

El Primer Ministro no ha dicho nada acerca de estos incidentes. Él no ha salido a condenar a su Presidente del UDP por el vergonzoso incidente en el Senado. No ha hecho una declaración oficial sobre los ataques o amenazas cometidas por su porta-mazo. De hecho, es como si ninguno de estos incidentes, en su opinión, es digno de comentario. Es como si no pasó nada importante.

Es como si los ataques a los medios de comunicación son poco importantes.

El viernes, el Partido Unido del Pueblo se salió del Senado en protesta después de que el Presidente se negara a dejarlos hablar sobre lo ocurrido el miércoles. No obstante, el partido emitió una enérgica condena de la conducta ilegal y matonesca del UDP. Así también la Cámara de Comercio y otros interlocutores sociales. Pero no le importa al Sr. Barrow. No le importa al Sr. Faber. Al UDP no le importa. Exactamente lo que debió suceder ha sucedido.

El Sr. Barrow y sus peones indisciplinados, esperamos, recibirán su merecido más temprano que tarde. Personas como el Sr. August y el Sr. Audinett que operan mediante la intimidación y han podido salirse con la suya lo intentaran con personas equivocadas que responderán a la fuerza con fuerza. Está claro que los ciudadanos respetuosos de la ley ya no pueden contar con la policía para protegerlos. Muchos de nuestros agentes han sido comprados y pagados por el UDP. Muchos de nuestros oficiales tienen miedo de ser víctimas del UDP. Pero es sólo una cuestión de tiempo antes de que se alcance el punto de inflexión. Por sus propias acciones el UDP ha cavado su propia tumba y uno por uno, están poniéndole los clavos a su propio ataúd. Sólo es cuestión de tiempo...

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28 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

MEDIA DEMANDS YELLOWMAN BAN Thursday, 25 May 2017 In what is an unprecedented move, all mainstream media houses in Belize have written to Chairman of the Special Select Committee, Aldo Salazar, to demand that Brian “Yellowman” Audinett be kept out of Senate hearings in the future. The demand comes after an unprecedented attack on the media last week by Audinett, who threatened and assaulted three respected journalists as they were shooting footage during the Senate hearing.

In the letter, which was to have been delivered to Chairman Salazar this week before the postponement of the hearing scheduled for Wednesday, the media writes to “put on record our strongest repudiation of the assault on several members of the media on Wednesday May

17, 2017, at the time of the suspension of the Special Senate Select Inquiry.”

And then the media makes its demand clear, stating, “such aggression toward the media should not be countenanced while we are performing our duty and in the National Assembly, no less!

We therefore call on you and the Committee to disallow Audinett from returning to witness the proceedings in the gallery as he has grossly violated the sanctity of the National Assembly, which he himself serves.”

Currently, despite the disturbing and highly actions in the Senate by UDP Chairman Alberto August, mace-bearer and employee of the National Assembly Brian Audinett and other UDP thugs, not one UDP official has issued any comment – not the Clerk of the National Assembly, not the

President of the Senate, not the Speaker of the House and not the Prime Minister, who is directly responsible for August.

But the media has not been willing to let it go so easy, and the two journalists assaulted by Audinett have made reports to the Police. In the letter, the Chairman is advised of such, with the statement that “We are advised by the Police that Audinett’s behavior toward the press could actually be prosecuted as “threat of damage to property” and “common assault”. Two members of the media have since filed police reports against Audinett

although no court action has been requested. The purpose of the reports however is so that the incident is on the record and kept for future reference.”

Chairman Salazar in a media interview this week commented that what happened in the Senate was unfortunate, but would not go so far as to say what, if any actions will be taken against Audinett.

Suddenly hesitant to speak against either August or Audinett, Chairman Salazar states

that it is the Committee and not he who will make the decision when the letter is received, at the next hearing.

For the record, the People’s United Party and social partners including the Chamber of Commerce have roundly condemned the actions by Chairman August and the other UDP thugs, and the PUP has gone so far as to demand the termination of Audinett’s employment with the National Assembly.

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28 MAY

2017

APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Even United Democratic Party supporters have chastised the unruly and boorish group of men who led a direct attack on People’s United Party Senator Eamon Courtenay and the media on Wednesday May 17th.

The sitting was suspended because the single police officer at the gallery inside the Senate Chamber was not successful in ejecting the individuals who were hollering at Courtenay and continued to shout and behave in a rambunctious manner minutes after the suspension.

One in the group, House Mace Bearer Brian “Yellowman” Audinett turned his attention to the media, upset that their disrespectful tirade was being caught on camera. He first stoned Cirilo Choco, PLUS TV’s cameraman with a pen. The police ignored Choco’s request for his arrest and so, unchecked, Yellowman approached Channel 7’s cameraman, Dennis Ellis and feigned that he would hit him before threatening to throw him over the railing if he did not stop recording.

The Police presence had slowly started building and finally, the men led by UDP Party Chairman, Alberto August filed out of the gallery of their own free will, police at their side. Once at the lobby on the second floor, they were met by the UDP Chairman of the Senate Special Select Committee, Senator Aldo Salazar who tried to get them to act according to the decorum required in the Chamber. KREM’s Marisol Amaya had followed them downstairs and was capturing the exchange from several feet away on her cellphone. When the Chairman retreated, Yellowman threatened her about filming then proceeded to grab her cellphone out of her hand. He threatened to smash it on the ground but returned it after being admonished by the police.

Perhaps because of the horrible black eye for the ruling UDP, August decided that an apology might correct their egregious wrongdoing so he told the media almost a week after the incident that he was taking

07 7

THE BELIZE TIMES

wrong in terms of former Minister Penner,” given that the Prime Minister took immediate action on an allegation alone.

But their actions betray their real fear of Senator Courtenay’s expert questioning in the Inquiry which is exposing their questionable use of the Immigration Department to risk Belize’s patrimony.

August wrote on social media, “We will be keeping you informed when next we mobilize for either the next meeting of the senate or a meeting of the sub-

committee conducting the inquiry.”

He blatantly admits their intentions to continue disrupting the Senate and Senate Inquiry when he writes “In the interim we continue to call on the Hon. Leader of the Opposition to remove Eamon Courtenay from the senate so as to allow for the working of the senate and the Special Select Committee to continue.” August has refused to concede that they are violating the sanctity of the National Assembly with their behaviour and judging by the interaction with the police, seem to think that they are above the law and beyond reproach.

ON THE full responsibility for what transpired given that he was the one leading the campaign against Senator Eamon Courtenay who they want out of the Senate.

He stated, “I wholeheartedly apologize to the media and I am saying that as long as I continue to lead this kind of charge, that kind of incident should never happen again because the media is our friend.” He added, “we respect the media and in cases like these we are depending on the media to bring forward our protest and how can we do that if we are asking the media not to photograph us. We welcome the media to record what is happening.” He claimed to have chastised the other members of the group for their behaviour but as we recall it, the men went right back in after the suspension and continued to shout at Senator Courtenay.

Still undeterred, August says they will return to the House for as long as is necessary citing freedom of expression. He claims that the movement called Belizeans Against Courtenay (BAC) is getting stronger and they have now commissioned T-Shirts with their logo. He affirmed that their focus is Courtenay and not the senate inquiry which “has nowhere to go. In terms of what might have gone

MOVE

Western Caucus Meeting Photos by: Edwin Hill

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28 MAY

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2017

PUP in Solidarity With the Media Wednesday, May 24, 2017 The People’s United Party (PUP) walked out of the Senate Chambers on Friday May 19th after the President, Lee Mark Chang shut down a Motion of Privilege. The Opposition had prepared a statement to denounce the UDP’s disruption and aggression toward the press during the previous Wednesday’s Senate Hearing on Immigration.

But Chang would have none of it.

As Senator Michel Chebat rose to table the motion, Chang notified that he had already addressed the request with Lead Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay and declined, so, “it won’t happen.” A testy exchange ensued. “You will not allow me to speak, Mr. President?” questioned Chebat. “No, because we have spoken about it already…we have discussed this behind closed doors so why bring it out in public?” chided Chang. He added that in future, they needed to put the request in writing and deliver it an hour prior to the Sitting. Senator Courtenay chimed in that they had in fact, informed him of their request an hour before.

A visibly irate Chang then invoked the General Authority of the President notwithstanding acknowledging that “yes, certain things have to be mentioned, but let us move on, please.” Despite an intervention from the Business Senator pointing to the Standing Orders

allowing an exemption from notice, Chang did not budge.

With that, the Opposition walked out but not before putting on the record their rejection to being muzzled.

Senator Courtenay stated, “in protest, we are leaving the Senate for today’s sitting and we want to put on record our condemnation of what happened here on Wednesday on the assault on the press and we are now leaving.”

And what was the PUP’s statement? It lasted a little under two minutes and asserted the UDP’s intention to derail the important Inquiry. “We demand that the Senate Inquiry be allowed to

proceed without any further disruption by UDP operatives. In a direct attack on our Belizean Democracy, these same UDP goons assaulted members of the press. These assaults were done within the walls of the Honourable House…We on this side, the PUP Senators condemn these actions and call for the criminal prosecution of those responsible,” it stated.

Outside of the Senate Chambers, the Senators affirmed, “they are muzzling representatives of the people in the house, they are muzzling senators appointed to represent the Oppo-

GOB Borrows $60M in Time for Municipal Elections Wednesday, May 24, 2017 The People’s United Party (PUP) walked out of the Senate Chambers on Friday May 19th after the President, Lee Mark Chang shut down a Motion of Privilege. The Opposition had prepared a statement to denounce the UDP’s disruption and aggression toward the press during the previous Wednesday’s Senate Hearing on Immigration.

But Chang would have none of it. As Senator Michel Chebat rose to table the motion, Chang notified that he had already addressed the request with Lead Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay and declined, so, “it won’t happen.” A testy exchange ensued.

“You will not allow me to speak, Mr. President?” questioned Chebat. “No, because we have spoken about it already…we have discussed this behind closed doors so why bring it out in public?” chided Chang. He added that in future, they needed to put the request in writing and deliver it an hour prior to the Sitting. Senator Courtenay chimed in that they had in fact, informed him of their request an hour before.

A visibly irate Chang then invoked the General Authority of the President notwithstanding acknowledging that “yes, certain things have to be mentioned, but let us move on, please.”

Despite an intervention from the Business Senator pointing to the Standing Orders allowing an exemption from notice, Chang did not budge. With that, the Opposition walked out but not be-

fore putting on the record their rejection to being muzzled.

Senator Courtenay stated, “in protest, we are leaving the Senate for today’s sitting and we want to put on record our condemnation of what happened here on Wednesday on the assault on the press and we are now leaving.”

And what was the PUP’s statement? It lasted a little under two minutes and asserted the UDP’s intention to derail the important Inquiry. “We demand that the Senate Inquiry be allowed to proceed without any further disruption by UDP operatives. In a direct attack on our Belizean Democracy, these same UDP goons assaulted members of the press. These assaults were done within the walls of the Honourable House…We on this side, the PUP Senators condemn these actions and call for the criminal prosecution of those responsible,” it stated.

Outside of the Senate Chambers, the Senators affirmed, “they are muzzling representatives of the people in the house, they are muzzling senators appointed to represent the Opposition.”

The PUP attempted to get the Social Partner Senators on board with the intended walkout but according to Senator Courtenay, their view was that a statement should be made condemning the disruption and media attack but they were unprepared to walk out because they wanted to debate the other matters for the day. That business included simply two loan motions and the signing of three agreements: one on double taxation, another on reciprocal investment attraction and the third to join a European and Latin American and Caribbean foundation.

Courtenay added, “our right to speak has been frustrated by the President. It is regrettable but it is consistent with the behavior of the UDP. They do not respect the House, they do not respect the Senate, they do not respect the media. We are at a dangerous point in our democracy and we are standing firm on principle and on the right side on these issues.”

sition.”

The PUP attempted to get the Social Partner Senators on board with the intended walkout but according to Senator Courtenay, their view was that a statement should be made condemning the disruption and media attack but they were unprepared to walk out because they wanted to debate the other matters for the day. That business included simply two loan motions and the signing of three agreements: one on double taxation, another on reciprocal

investment attraction and the third to join a European and Latin American and Caribbean foundation.

Courtenay added, “our right to speak has been frustrated by the President. It is regrettable but it is consistent with the behavior of the UDP. They do not respect the House, they do not respect the Senate, they do not respect the media. We are at a dangerous point in our democracy and we are standing firm on principle and on the right side on these issues.”

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PUP NOTICE The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the City of Belmopan that applications are now being accepted for the posts of Mayor & Councilors for the March 2018 Municipal Elections. The closing date for all applications for those interested in any of the above positions is Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. The Convention Date for the City of Belmopan is Sunday, August 6, 2017. Please contact your local Executive Chairperson or the PUP Secretariat for further information.

PUP Secretariat: Email: secgenpup@gmail.com Facebook Page: True Blue Secretariat Website: www.pup.org.bz PUP Face Book Page: True Blue PUP Vibes Media FB Page: Vibes Media Radio & TV

28 MAY

2017

09 9

THE BELIZE TIMES

Transportation Industry in Shambles & Nobody Cares Northern route is much the same. It is dangerous and a tragedy waiting to happen. Of course, standees must pay the same fares to get home. They have no choice.

It is apparent that there is no concern from the Ministry of Transport or the Minister of Transport to fix the system.

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 There was a time, many years ago, when Minister of Transportation Edmond Castro rode a bus to show Belizeans that he cared about commuters and was determined to fix the transportation industry. He has likely not ridden a bus since that photo op, and the transportation system today is in shambles – from the state of the buses to the state of the terminals and the lack of structure and reliability to protect commuters.

Currently, the dilapidated, filthy terminal in Belize City is the main hub for buses, and for rats and other vermin which can be seen cavorting in the cor-

ners and in the piles of garbage strewn all over the place. There is literally no structured system in place. Buses show up, a lackadaisical terminal warden opens a gate and commuters trample each other to get on. At the same time, commuters are coming through other gates with the same destination, and there is nobody concerned enough to control them, or to insist on lines, or to bother checking to see that nobody gets hurt in the mad rush.

Many months ago, there were buses every half-an-hour in the evening to Belmopan. The 7:30pm bus broke down one day, over a year ago, and nobody bothered to replace it, and the Ministry of Transport simply does not care. There is a mad, crazy rush of commuters to get home, and there is literally no other option. Every single night there are twenty or thirty standees on the buses to Belmopan, and I have heard that the

EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®), the regional examining body, is seeking two (2) talented professionals to join its team in the capacity of Senior Assistant Registrar in the following Departments: i.

Examinations Administration and Security, Headquarters, Barbados

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Syllabus and Curriculum Development, Western Zone Office, Jamaica

CXC is a performance driven organisation which offers a competitive and attractive remuneration and benefits package and opportunities for further learning and career development.

Interested applicants should apply via our website: www.cxc.org/vacancies where further information on the roles can be accessed.

Please include the names and contact information for three (3) referees.

The Deadline for submissions is 10 June 2017.

Only suitably qualified applicants will be contacted.

ONLY ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED The Producer of “The Tradition” Magazine & Cycling Federation of Belize would like to THANK the following for the Publication of

BODY OF DROWNING VICTIMS RECOVERED

Denia Joselyn Zelaya Tuesday, May 23, 2017 23 year-old Denia Joselyn Zelaya, a naturalized Belizean living in Belize City, went out to on a normal swimming trip in Bermudian Landing. What should have been an enjoyable afternoon in the Belize River turned tragic when she was pulled underwater causing her to drown.

The incident happened at around 1:00p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at the popular spot in the village known as Black Howler Evolution Tours. Reports say that Zelaya and her boyfriend, Police Constable Dion Bellini were enjoying the water, but reports are that she lost her footing on the edge of the riverbank. That caused her to fall in and she was dragged under the water’s surface. She never resurfaced, and it is believed that the river’s strong current swept her away.

Civilian and professional dive

teams started searching the river, all looking for her body because everyone was fairly certain that she did not survive being submerged for that extended period of time. The search continued on Monday, and it was not until a little before midday on Tuesday, May 23, that the Coast Guard discovered her body. A team of officers found her near the Bermudian Landing Bridge, which is about 3 miles away from the village itself. Because it was already decomposed, an on-site post-mortem was conducted and it confirmed that she died from drowning.

There was also another drowning over the weekend in the Cayo District, and this one was a Salvadoran farmer who was found floating in the Colorado lagoon. Readers are aware that this lagoon is located a short distance from the Santander Sugar Factory in Valley of Peace. Police reports are that 26 year-old Salvadoran Jose Alberto Gutierrez, who was allegedly under the influence, mentioned that he intended to go there to take a bath. That was on Saturday, May 20, and when he didn’t return the following day, persons went looking for him.

On Sunday, at around 5 p.m., police got word of his body found in the lagoon. There were no physical signs of violence, and a pathologist has confirmed that he died due the inhalation of too much water.

Many of the buses are in deplorable condition despite the fact that a countrywide fare increase went into place from last year. Very many of these buses break down on the road, leaving commuters stranded. Very many of these buses are old and decrepit and it seems like a necessary gamble to try to reach home.

The reality is that decades ago the bus system was in better shape than it is today, with better buses and a ticketing system and structure.

Currently there are not enough buses to do the runs efficiently, and no monitoring or management to hold bus operators to task.

As seems to always be the case, commuters are the ones who suffer, and nobody seems to care, certainly not the Minister of Transport Officials who are privileged enough to ride the roads in their government rides.

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10 SPORTS

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

Hummingbird Girls Win

National Primary Schools Volleyball Championship Belize City, May 18, 2017 The Hummingbird School girls of Belize City won the National Sports Council’s national primary schools volleyball championship at the Stars Gym last Thursday.

In Game 1, the Hummingbird girls won 25-8, 25-22 over the Orange Walk champs, the Chan Pine Ridge Government school girls.

In Game 2, the Cayo district champs – the Our Lady of Guadalupe RC School girls from Belmopan won 25-16, 25-6 over the Corozal Church of Christ girls.

In Game 3, Hummingbird girls won 25-9, 25-21 over the Toledo Christian Academy girls.

In Game 4, the Belmopan girls won 25-9, 25-5 over the Stann Creek district champs - the Light of the Valley Baptist girls.

In Game 5, the Toledo girls won 25-21, 25-16 over the Orange Walk girls In Game 6, the Stann Creek girls

Natl. Champs, Hummingbird girls

2nd place, Toledo Christian Academy

National Primary Schools Volleyball Championship

Natl. Champs Holy Redeemer boys

2nd Place, Howard Smith Nazarene of Benque Viejo

3rd Place, Stann Creek - Light of the Valley Baptist

2017 2016

won 25-13, 25-11 over the Corozal girls.

In Game 7 of the semifinals, the Hummingbird girls eliminated the Stann Creek girls 25-13, 25-14.

In Game 8 of the semifinals, the Toledo girls eliminated the Belmopan girls: 16-25, 25-22, 15-11.

In Game 9 - the consolation game for 3rd place, the Belmopan girls won 25-17, 25-16 over the Stann Creek girls.

In game 10, the championship final, the Hummingbird girls crushed the Toledo girls: 25 -8, 25-8 Sports Council Director Ian Jones presented team trophies and individual medals to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and the Female MVP award to Jayda Smith of Hummingbird Elementary.

3rd place, Our Lady of Guadalupe RC of Belmopan

Holy Redeemer Boys Win Belize City, May 18, 2017 The Holy Redeemer RC School boys of Belize City won the National Sports Council’s national primary schools volleyball championship at the Belize Elementary auditorium last Thursday.

In Game 1, the Holy Redeemer boys won 25-12, 25-18 over the Orange Walk champs, the Chan Pine Ridge Government School boys.

In Game 2, the Cayo district champs, the Howard Smith Nazarene boys from Benque won 23-25, 25-13, 15-10 over the Corozal Church of Christ School boys.

In Game 3, the Holy Redeemer boys won 25-18, 25-16 over the Toledo district champs – the Punta Gorda Methodist School boys.

In Game 4, the Benque boys won 25-8, 25-19 over the Stann Creek district champs – the Light of the Valley Baptist school boys.

In Game 5, the Orange Walk boys eliminated the Punta Gorda boys: 26-24, 16-25, 16-14.

In Game 6, the Stann Creek boys eliminated the Corozal boys: 21-25, 12-25, 15-13.

In Game 7 of the semifinals, the Holy Redeemer boys eliminated the Stann Creek boys: 25-19, 25-8.

In Game 8 of the semifinals, the Benque boys eliminated the Orange Walk boys: 25-12, 25-21.

In Game 9 the consolation game for 3rd place, the Stann Creek boys won 25-16, 25-21 over the Orange Walk boys.

In game 10, the championship final, the Holy Redeemer boys clinched the title by a 25-23, 23-25, 15-9 win over the Benque boys.

Sports Council Director Ian Jones presented team trophies and individual medals to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and the MVP award to Allan Auil Jr. of Holy Redeemer.

8 JAN 26 FEB 21 29 AUG JAN 28 MAY

San Pedro Tigersharks on the Way to 3rd NEBL Championship San Pedro Town, May 20, 2017 The San Pedro Tigersharks are the only team to have won 2 National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) championships, and they are about to clinch their 3rd title after bouncing the Belmopan Bandits 69-60 at the San Pedro High School auditorium last Saturday night.

Tigersharks’ Ashton Edwards hit 4 long treys for 18pts, and MVP George Williams and Raul “Thumpy” Roches scored 15pts apiece, with Roches grabbing 10 rebounds, Douglas Valley hit 2 treys from outside the arc, while Jamal Kelly put up 6pts, 4 rebounds. Kurt “Chengo” Burgess” grabbed 11 rebounds, and Rassi Jenkins dunked in a bucket as he snagged 6 more rebounds.

The Tigersharks led the whole way; at the end of the first quarter, they boasted a 15 – 13 lead. They extended the lead at intermission: 32 – 29; and in the 3rd quarter, they opened up a 10-point lead, but the Bandits’ late scoring run ended the quarter with the Bandits still trailing 43-47.

In the 4th quarter, the Tigersharks went on a 17 – 4 run to balloon the lead to 17 points, 64 – 47.

Bandits’ Farron Louriano led the visitors with 17pts, 8 rebounds, and Stephen “Muerte” Williams added 13pts. Richard Smith III put up 12pts and grabbed 17 rebounds, handing out 8 assists. Devin Daly and Keith Acosta scored 7pts apiece.

Game 2 comes up on Thursday, May 25 at the UB gym in Belmopan where the Bandits will try to take the series to a Game 3.

8 MAY 28 31 26 JUL FEB 12 JUN 14 19 AUG JUN

2016 2017 2016

11 09 SPORTS 11

THE BELIZE TIMES

Heights FC, City Boys, Reality Youths & Rising Stars Win in SMART Mundialito Belize City, May 20, 2017 The Heights FC, Hattieville Riverside Boys, City Boys, Reality Youths and Carlston FC all enjoyed wins in Week 5 of the 2017 SMART Mundialito at the MCC Garden last Saturday.

In Game 1, Heights FC posted their 4th win: 1-0 against the Young Warriors, with a goal scored by Enijah Augustine.

In Game 2, the Hattieville Riverside Boys won 3-0 by the Ladyville Jaguars’ forfeit.

In Game 3, the Ladyville Rising Stars posted their 3rd win: 1-0 against the Belize Elementary Corinthians, with a penalty scored by Cesar Garcia.

In Game 4, the defending champs - City Boys posted their 2nd win: 3-0

against Sampson Academy, with 2 goals by Kayia Requena, and Tom Moguel scored a 3rd goal in the 2nd half.

In Game 5, the Reality Youths posted their 2nd win: 1-0 against the Brown Bombers, with a goal scored by Curtis August.

In Game 6, Carlston FC posted their 2nd win: 1-0 against the Collet Strikers, with a goals scored by Erwin Rhamdas.

The competition continues with 6 more games on Saturday, May 27.

Kayia Requena scored City Boys 1st and 2nd goals

City Boys win 3-0 vs Sampson Academy

Summer Fever Scorches Western Eagles in 2017 Harrison Parks Cricket Lords Bank Village, May 20, 2017 The Summer Fever cricketers of Bermudian Landing scorched Rancho Dolores’ Western Eagles 181-100 in a tie-breaker in one of the last regular season matches of the 2017 Harrison Parks national cricket tournament at Summer Fever wins 181-100 vs Western Eagles Lord’s Bank last Saturday.

Man of the Match Kenton Young batted 5 sixes and 5 fours on the way to scoring 58 runs.

Jermain Baizar hit 3 sixes and a four to score 30 runs, and was still standing when the Norman Pook Byron Clare last wicket fell, rebatted 8 runs score 49 runs maining Not Out. Team captain Conway Young batted batsmen, holding them all on to challenge No.2 3 fours to score 19 runs, while to single digit scores exseed Wicked Eleven George Hinds and Malcolm cept for Byron Clare, who of Flowers Bank in the Goff scored 13 runs apiece. The batted 4 sixes and 5 fours playoffs. The defending Summer Fever batsmen scored 181 all out. to score 49 runs. champions, Lemonal’s Rancho bowlers Dirk SutherSummer Fever’s Travis Easy Does It, batted land, Norman Pook, Marlon Stephenson took 5 wick359 runs against the Reyes and Percival Joseph took ets, while Conway Young Double Head Cabbage and George Hinds took 2 Excellence in the other 2 wickets apiece, while Travis wickets apiece, and Jovani tie-breaker match at Samuels and Edward Bull took a Baizar took one wicket. The Bermudian Landing, and wicket apiece.

When Western Eagles Rancho eleven scored 100 Excellence could not came to bat, the Summer Fever runs all out. match that score before bowlers decimated the Rancho Summer Fever moves darkness ended play.

Hattieville Riverside Boys win 3-0 vs Ladyville Jaguars

Belmopan Bandits, Esperanza Wolverines & Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy Win in Cayo Women’s Softball

Roaring Creek Village, May 21, 2017 The Belmopan Bandits, Esperanza Wolverines and Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy all posted big wins in the Cayo Softball Association women’s competition at the Raymond Garbutt field on Sunday.

In Game 1, pitcher Ashley Lucas led the Bandits to an 11-4 win by mercy rule in 6 innings over the Unitedville Rebels: Patricia Spain scored 2 runs for the Rebels, while Indira Spain and Lisa Jones score one run apiece.

Rebels pitcher Francine Salazar gave up 9 hits, and Bandits’ Patricia Budna scored 3 runs, while Samantha Casey scored 2 runs, and Myralee Ho, Nadine Coye, Ashley Lucas, Molly Coye, Rebecca Jones and Karlene Lewis scored a run apiece.

In Game 2, the Esperanza Wolverines outshone the Belmopan Emeralds: 9-3. Ranza’s pitcher Olivia Miralda gave up 4 hits, but only Dana King scored one run and Stacey Armstrong scored 2 runs. The Emeralds’ pitcher Aludy Arthurs gave up 6 hits, allowing Shanaya Soberanis, Melinda Blancaneaux and Kimberley Ortega to score 2 runs apiece, while Denise Gordon, Olivia Miralda and Asherah Harris scored a run each.

In Game 3, Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy hammered the Bandits: 9-2 by mercy rule in 5 innings; with Shadalee Ho scoring 3 runs off Ashley Lucas’ pitching, and Shanelly Ho, Lisandra Guy, Joyce Galvez, Jael Pelayo, Stephanie Francis and Keisha Garbutt scored run apiece. Only Myralee Ho and Lucas scored for the Bandits.

Esperanza Wolverines 9-3 Belmopan Emeralds

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

MOVE

PUP Leader in San Pedro

Eastern Caucus Meeting

28 MAY

2017

28 MAY

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

13

One Vision…One People BILL OF RIGHTS The People’s United Party wants to share its vision with the Belizean people. It is rooted in a philosophy that goes back to the Father of our Nation the Right Hon. George Price. Mr. Price always believed ours was a work in progress; he led a revolution that is at its core peaceful, always constructive, progressive and uniquely Belizean.

These values remain true today and form a part of our PUP Creed. We are committed to the protection of our territorial sovereignty. We cannot, and will not risk even an inch of our beloved country, from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon. And we are committed to an accessible, fair and independent justice system and the rule of law in Belize.

The PUP will always seek to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. It is a commitment to the socio-economic improvement of all Belizeans. Our plan is to rid Belize of poverty. To the PUP, poverty is an ugly scar on our nation’s collective conscience, and no amount of cosmetic surgery can paste over the suffering of close to half of our people, most of them women and children, who live on less than ten dollars per day.

This is not only a task for governments. We all have a stake in this enterprise, but government must LEAD and bold leaders must show that they truly care. For us the task ahead is clear - to build a Belize that works for everyone, so that every Belizean should come to expect five things. This vision, this determination, has created what we call our BELIZEAN BILL OF RIGHTS. FIRST - Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. With land we immediately create opportunities for upliftment and personal growth.

SECOND - Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. The 17th Century Jurist and politician Edward Coke in speaking on human rights said: “A man’s home is his castle.” Every Belizean in 2017 should expect such an entitlement whether they live on Bocotora Street or on Seashore Drive.

THIRD - Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. We have to make education free from pre-kinder to Junior College. If we will give our young people a chance at success, it must start with a good education.

FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. If we can invest 42 million dollars in a basketball stadium, then we should be able to provide basic health services to all.

FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS - good jobs that can lead to meaningful careers; jobs that will give Belizeans a chance for personal growth and prosperity and provide a hand up for those at the very bottom of the economic ladder.

If we do these things, if we create a fair and just society, if we build on these principles we will then be able to change people’s lives and together we will rid our shores of the scourge that is poverty.

14

28 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Invitation for Bids (IFB) BELIZE FOR A CONTRACT TO OPERATE FIVE (5) SOLID WASTE TRANSFER FACILITIES Invitation AND for Bids (IFB) Invitation A SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY for Bids (IFB)

BELIZE

IFBNumber: 001-2017/2018

BELIZE

FOR A CONTRACT TO OPERATE FIVE (5) SOLID FOR WASTE A CONTRACT TRANSFER TOFACILITIES OPERATE FIVE (5) SOLID WASTE TRANSFER FACILITIES 1. The Government of Belize through the Solid Waste Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable DevelopSOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND A SOLID DISPOSAL ment invite sealed bids fromAND eligibleA and qualified bidders for a Contract to FACILITY Operate Five (5) Solid Waste Transfer WASTE Facilities and a Solid WasteFACILITY Disposal Facility as set out in more detail in the Bidding Document:

IFBNumber: 001-2017/2018

IFBNumber: 001-2017/2018

a) Operations (loading/transfer and barging, as necessary, of municipal solid waste), management and maintenance of the following transfer stations: Belize City Mile 3; San Ignacio – Santa Elena; Burrell Boom; San Pedro Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, including all ancillary facilities and appurtenances.

1. The Government of Belize through the Solid Waste Management 1. The Government Authority ofof Belize the Ministry through the of Solid Waste Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture, Development Fisheries, Forestry, invite sealed themonitoring Environment Development sealed b) Operations (landfilling of municipal solid waste), management, maintenance and environmental of theand Mile Sustainable 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill,invite including all ancillary facilities andand appurtenances. bids from eligible qualified bidders for a Contract to o bids Operate fromFive eligible (5) Solid and Waste qualified Transfer bidders for a Contract to o Operate Five (5) Solid Waste Transfer Facilities and a Solid Waste Disposal Facility as set out in more Facilities andinathe detail Solid Bidding WasteDocument: Disposal Facility as set out in more detail in the Bidding Document:

b) Operations (landfilling of municipal solid waste), management, maintenance and environmental monitoring of the Mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill, including all ancillary facilities and appurtenances.

a) Operations (loading/transfer and bar a) Operations barging, as necessary, , of municipal (loading/transfer solid waste), and bar barging, as necessary,, of municipal solid waste), following transfermanagement stations: Belize andCity maintenance Mile 3; of th the e following transfer stations: Belize City Mile 3; San Ignacio – Santa Elena; Burrell Boom; San Pedro Ambergris San Ignacio – Santa Caye and CayeElena; Caulker, Burrell Boom; San Pedro Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, 3. The procurement process for this contract will be generally in compliance with GoB and IDB procurement policies and guidelines and is open to all bidders from Eligible including allinancillary facilities and appurtenances. including all ancillary facilities and appurtenances.

Source Countries as defined the Bidding Documents. b) Operations (landfilling of municipal solid waste), b) and management, Operations maintenance main (landfilling ofand municipal solid waste), management, maintenance main 4. Qualifications requirements are as follows: environmental monitoring of the Mile 24 Regional Sanitary environmental Landfill, monitoring including allof the Mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill, including all ancillary facilities and appurtenances. ancillary facilities and appurtenances. a) For a Bidder to qualify, it must have on its team, a Solid Waste Management Expert (sub consultant) who has been actively involved in at least two out of the three c) Operations (handling (handling, pre-treatment and storage), c) management, Operations maintenance (handling (handling, pre-treatment and and storage), management, maintenance and types of operations listed below, one of which shall be # (1), of at least the sizes as mentioned within the last five years immediately prior to the submission of the Bid: co-located environmental monitoring of the hazardous wa waste cellenvironmental located at monitoring the Mile 24 of the hazardous wa waste cell co-located located at the Mile 24 1. Operation a municipal solid waste landfill receiving at least 50 Tonnes per day of waste; RegionalofSanitary Landfill, including all facility ancillary facilities and Regional appurtenances.

Sanitary Landfill, including all ancillary facilities and appurtenances.

2. The Operations Services and period is sixty (60)months. management maintenance of th the e

2. Collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in a City or Town of at least 5,000 residents;

3. OperationServices of a transfer station or a(60)months. material recovery least 10 Tonnes day. (60)months.

2. The Operations 2.facility period is sixty The processing OperationsatServices period per is sixty Bidders are required to provide a reference letter to the nature of the above services provided from their clients.

3. The procurement process for this contract will be generally 3. The in procurement complianceprocess with GoB forand this IDB contract will be generally in compliance with GoB and IDB b) The Annual Turnover will be the Netand Annual Salestoorall Revenue offrom the Bidder or Source its subcontractors subconsultants, received forfrom any ofEligible the following: procurement policies and guidelines is open bidders procurement Eligible policies and Countries guidelinesorasand is open to all bidders Sourceconstruction Countries as of industrial buildings, road works, earth movement and excavation, transportation of goods and solid waste activities: defined in the Bidding Documents. defined in the Bidding Documents. i. the Bidder should have generated a minimum average turnover during the past three (3) years of greater than the equivalent of BZD$1,500,000.00 per annum. ii. the Bidder should have generated a minimum turnover in at least one year of the three (3) year period of not less than the equivalent of BZD$2,500,000.00.

4. Qualifications requirements are as follows: 4. Qualifications requirements are as follows: c) Bidder shall demonstrate the have satisfaction the Owner he/she has into his/her possession or shall rent a orSolid otherwise the following equipa)TheFor a)that Expert (sub have Expert (sub a Bidder to qualify, it to must on its of team, a Solid Waste For aManagement Manageme Bidder qualify, it must onlease, its team, Wasteacquire Management Manageme ment to perform the Operations as needed: consultant) who has Services been actively involved in at least two consultant) out of the whothree has types been actively of involved in at least two out of the three types of Quantity Description operationsTrack listed below, one of which shall be # (1),, of atoperations least the sizes listedasbelow, mentioned one of which shall be # (1),, of at least the sizes as mentioned 1 type bulldozer ≥ 200 Hp within the last five years immediately prior to the submission within of t the he the Bid: last five years immediately prior to the submission of tthe he Bid: 1 Motor road grader ≥ 140 Hp 1)Operation of a municipal solid waste 1)Operation at least of a municipal solid waste landfill facility receiving at least 1 Crawler hydraulic excavator ≥ 140 Hp landfill facility receiving 5 end per loader 120waste; Hp 50Front Tonnes day≥ of 50 Tonnes per day of waste; 2 Wheel loader/backhoe 2) Collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in 2) a Collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in a 1 Water truck with tank and sprinkler ≥15m3 5 1 1 1

Tipper truck ≥ 14m3 Engine driven pump 6” Double cab pickup truck Barge or other craft of similar nature

Others: sky track loader, bobcat loader, tow heads, trash trailers or equivalent dumper trailers greater than 60 cubic yards capacity, roll on/off containers and associated truck, if possible stationary compactors with containers for San Pedro and Caye Caulker operations. Equipment shall be in good operating condition and the Operator shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Owner that the equipment used is regularly serviced/maintained as per the manufacturer’s recommendations or standard industry practice and insured according to the Laws of Belize!

5. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Solid Waste Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development at the address below from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

6. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English, on a Compact Disk (CD) may be obtained free of charge by interested bidders on the submission of a written request to the address below. Alternatively, bidders may make their official request to the email below and receive the Bidding Documents by DropBox. 7. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 29th June, 2017 at 12:00 Noon. Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late bids shall be rejected. Bids will be opened on 29th June, 2017 at 12:05 PM in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below.

8. Site visits: Bidders can visit the Transfer Stations and the Regional Sanitary Landfill on their own, with prior permission of the Owner. Bidders are encouraged to send requests for clarifications via email to the Owner at the address below.

9. Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on 2 June 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Ministry of Natural Resources Conference Room, Queen Elizabeth II Blvd., Cohune Walk Area, Belmopan.

As such, Bidders are encouraged to send requests for clarifications via email, if any, to the Owner at the address below..

10. All bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security of BZD$250,000.

11. The address referred to above is: Solid Waste Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development,Queen Elizabeth II Blvd., Cohune Walk Area,Belmopan City, Belize C.A. 'Alex Carrillo' <sw.wmengineer@naturalresources.gov.bz> ‘Gilroy Lewis’ <sw.director@naturalresources.gov.bz>

28 MAY

15

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

THE ARROGANCE OF POWER As I shared last week this is the phrase that has me pondering recently, there being countless examples of it in the recent politics of Belize under this “wutless” UDP administration.

And the chief architect of this Arrogance of Power is of course the man who has been at the helm since 2008, Prime Minister Dean Barrow. What has particularly grated on me for many years is the nepotism of the PM in putting his brother on the Court of Appeal, an appointment that ought never to have been made due to the closeness of the relationship between him and the Prime Ministerial brother. But now it seems clear that the move was made so that brother Barrow could use the short-lived appointment as a stepping stone to higher office. It was of course untenable that the Prime Minister's brother should be on our highest resident court. He would have had to recuse himself from any and every case involving the government.

But this nepotistic leader has carried out numerous acts of nepotism, and he has whistled a merry tune while hoping that people's memories are indeed quite short.

Look at the tens of millions of dollars expended with taxpayers’ money to fatten the bank accounts of ex-wife Barrow and brother Barrow for doing legal work for the Government of Belize. And in some sections of the media they are still saying that PM Barrow's personal integrity is intact? Where are they living?

This is why he can get away with all the nepotism – the media just do not seem to be zeroing in on the reality of what this man has done and is still doing.

The Music Ambassador keeps scrubbing up himself, an ex-convict and deportee, all because his father has continued his happy tune and ignored the cries of musicians and culture-bearers in the music industry that Mr. Shyne is not an appropriate voice and advocate for their needs and concerns. The Prime Minister has thumbed his nose at all creative artists in our country, since he wants the image of his

son to be washed clean. The young man is even positioning himself to enter elected politics, all because of the nepotism of the Dad. The son who has recently left as the Chief Executive Officer of BTL never did have the qualifications to serve in that important role.

He enjoyed an astronomical salary and perquisites, and talk about the self-enrichment because, yes, he is son of the Prime Minister. Self-respecting executives ought to have resigned en masse, but in Belize decent jobs are hard to come by, so they shut up and go on their ways, knowing that it is all wrong.

The most egregious recent example of the Arrogance of Power is the manner in which the UDP is now manipulating the workings of the Integrity Commission.

So what if there has not been a duly functioning Integrity Commission for many years. Nothing in the law says that you don't have to file if there is no properly functioning Commission. I reread the Prevention of Corruption in Public Life Act this past week, and it is absolutely clear that the intention of the legislation is that EVERYBODY mandated to file needs to do so, regardless of how long they have served. How convenient, then, it is for the UDP and its representative Ms. Williams, to twist into all kinds of contortions in order to avoid UDP ministers having to file from even before many of them took office in 2008.

If the Act is saying that the Commission can sanction prosecution for any offence or penalty under the Act within five years from the day the cause of action accrued, then why cannot it require elected officials to file for the minimum of five years going back? It should be even longer in my view. How convenient for the Prime Minister to say that it would be hard for ministers to find their documents in order to file!! The PM denigrates his office and conducts himself in a most perfidious manner. This is the epitome of the Arrogance of Power. Check it out.

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

As I write this, I can’t help but think that it is a sad day indeed for our country. As a people, we are being held ransom by operatives of this administration who are prepared to resort to violence to stop the proceedings of the Senate. I am truly disheartened to realize that this is where we are at this point, where a Chairman from the ruling Party, Alberto August, can actually threaten a sitting Senator and he is allowed to get away with it. It is my hope, and I think the hope of many Belizeans, that the hearings will be allowed to continue next week and that the Prime Minister will call off his Chairman and those other operatives who have clearly stated that they will not allow the hearings to continue. If the Prime Minister does not do that, then I will be forced to believe that the he condones the threat of violence by his employees.

With that said, I take this opportunity to extend the sincere appreciation of myself and my team and staff at the Orange Walk Town Council for the patience and support of residents of our beautiful town. What we have been able to do, without the support of Central Government, without any bonds or loans or grants, is testament to our partners in the community who recognized early on that we were here to get work done, and we were serious about service.

We have been able to continue our intensive roadworks – paving and upgrading major streets throughout the town – including those areas of town which fall within Orange Walk East and Orange Walk North.

The response from those of you positively impacted by the comprehensive works program has been massive. The reality is that many of our streets were deteriorating and in desperate need of repair, and so the paving of what amounts to approximately 45 streets so far has been a boon to residents – no more potholes, no more dust - no muddy and rutted streets when it rains. We are happy to have been able to do so much work, and I can as-

sure you that there will be no let up. The works will continue.

I take this opportunity to also thank residents and our corporate citizens for paying their taxes promptly. It is this steady source of revenue which has allowed us to do so much, since we have been unable to depend on any help from elsewhere. It is appreciated.

On a political note, I also encourage dynamic, visionary and hard-working persons across the country to take up the mantle and offer yourselves in the municipal elections slated for next year March. I can tell you that once you are in it for the right reasons, it is the most fulfilling experience. And as we have proven in Orange Walk, once you are determined to work for the communities you serve, you will be able to get a lot done.

My friends, we must do everything that we can to get this administration out of office. They were elected on an anti-corruption platform, but the evidence shows that this has been the most corrupt government of all time. The evidence has shown that they have used their positions in power to enrich themselves, and to enrich their family members and cronies. There is no longer any accountability or transparency in government. Look at how Mr. Barrow spent hundreds of millions in Petrocaribe monies without providing any real evidence of what it was spent on.

Long after all that Petrocaribe money is gone, poverty in our country is higher than it has ever been, our healthcare system is in shambles, our education system is in shambles, taxes are through the roof and the cost of living continues to go up every day.

It is time to return the PUP to office, and to demand a return to transparency and accountability.

It is time to put systems in place which will reduce the discretion of Ministers and penalize them for doing wrong. It is time to do things the right way and to govern our people well. We have been abused and victimized for far too long. It is time to stand up.

16

THE BELIZE TIMES

An Integrity Deficiency...

It is an incredible thing to see how persons coming into way too close contact with the Barrow administration these days tend to lose all integrity and reason.

What is it that the waste of time Senator Godwin Hulse once said…that it’s about becoming a team player. Notice that nobody these days even wants to hear anything from Godwin. He just isn’t credible anymore. Nothing he says holds any great value. He is certainly an amazing team player, but when it comes to integrity and good governance, nobody cares about the words that are coming out his mouth.

Senator Carla Barnett is another who seems to have lost all sense of self due to her close contact with this administration. Notice how she doesn’t even ask any questions during the Senate hearings? Notice how quiet she is at the helm of the hotbed of corruption? I remember being at the press conference last year when Ms. Retreage was saying her goodbyes and the matter of the crooked Gapi Vega came up. Remember that Retreage had promised an investigation into the compensation scam which cost taxpayers millions so that a few select persons could get rich? Barnett was at that press conference. Some member of the media, I don’t remember who, asked her if she would continue to dig into the Vega debacle, and she indicated that she would, as if her word was enough to reassure all in the room that the hotbed of corruption would be turned upside down to get to the truth.

That was five months ago. I don’t believe Barnett has said one word since then in her capacity as junior Minister of Natural Resources – not one word.

The Commissioner of Police is another. How does he sleep at night? Does he not realize that he is considered nothing more than a puppet for his political masters? There was a time, years and years back, when Mr. Whylie was considered a Policeman with a bright future, a real up and comer. Something went terribly wrong. Now he is a man who is not respected even by his own officers, and the thinking is that he has far outlived any real usefulness he might have had – at least

where actual policing is concerned.

There are many others who have been tarred by the partisan political brush, their credibility intact only in their own eyes. This administration seems amazingly good at putting people in positions and then compromising them to the point that they lose themselves. We have seen it on countless occasions.

Take Mr. Aldo Salazar, for example, the UDP appointed Senator who came into his position with such a blazing conviction and confidence that he would do the right thing. But he is now a consummate team player, like his colleague Godwin Hulse. I remain convinced that Wednesday’s skit in the senate was a set play, and the fools in the gallery weren’t the only players. Following that mess, Salazar announced that he does not want the hearings to become a political spectacle so he was of the opinion that it all needs to be wrapped up and brought to a close. That too, in my opinion, is a set play. There was no political spectacle to speak of – just some hired thugs brought in to disrupt the hearings so that scumbag Elvin Penner’s testimony would be cut short.

How in the name of all that is holy could Salazar even think, even in his red-clouded mind, that the hearings are finished, without even one sitting UDP Minister being called. Thirteen Ministers was named in the Auditor-General reports, accused of acting unlawfully. Persons like John Saldivar, Erwin Contreras, Manuel Heredia, Edmond Castro, Godwin Hulse – all appear most prominently in the reports and they need to answer the tough questions. It is clear that the UDP, aided by Salazar, will try to bring the hearings to a close as early as this week, after testimony from three minor players is heard.

We have gotten to a point where the UDP is asserting control through any means necessary. And gagging all who would protest them by any means necessary. It would not have been the wrong thing for Senate president Lee Mark Chang, for example, to allow the Opposition Senators to use Friday’s session to denounce the actions of the UDP hooligans brought in for just that purpose. But all the UDP players are obviously on the same page and reading from the same script.

If there is any small consolation for me at this point, it is that the political tides will change and these people will be rendered meaningless. What happens to team players when a team is disbanded? If a man has no integrity, then he is nothing.

28 MAY

2017

NO PROSECUTION OF THE WICKED By: Eduardo Santos Nothing in life suffocates you more than the passing of everyday human events. This can be compounded more if the occurrences are not conducive to peace and harmony for all human beings. We witness these travesties every day while keeping up to date with the news from around the world. Innocent people become victims to these deadly games people in high places play.

I am thankful that Belize has yet to reach to that level of destruction.

In reality, while we are not killing people because of religious beliefs, we do have a level of violence where the youth of today are engaged in an undeclared war that is based on gang colours. Little is being done to try to alleviate this trend. Whenever a situation flares up, our law enforcement officials become reactive rather that proactive. It is a case of shutting the barn doors after the horses have escaped.

It is far easier for the court to get a conviction for a misdemeanor (being caught with a stick of weed) than it is to be convicted for a serious crime.

While the murder conviction rate is at an appalling 5%, a politician can get away with murder providing that the powers that be will do any and everything possible to thwart the investigation. An example of this is has been the recent Senate hearing where it has been proved from before Elvin Penner gave his testimony, that Citizen Kim could not have been able to present himself for a passport since he was in jail in Taiwan.

Even with the clear evidence, the UDP administration did all that was possible to sweep this episode under the proverbial rug. Retired Superintendent of Police Julio Valdez called in to Krem’s Wake Up Belize radio show on Monday 29th August, 2016, and made the explosive allegations. According to Valdez, high level government officials made sure that no-one was ever held criminally responsible for the Penner-Kim scandal.

Valdez alleges that he was ordered to limit his investigating team’s focus to how attorney Arthur Saldivar was able to obtain Immigration Department documents. Valdez said the investigation did not include interviewing any of the people accused of being involved with the passport scandal and his only focus was on finding out how the Immigration Department documents leaked. Those documents, Valdez alleges, were scheduled to be destroyed but Arthur Saldivar got a hold of them before. Up to today, no government official has come forward to rebut this claim that Mr. Valdez has

made.

On Friday, 12th May, 2017, Elvin Penner made some serious mistakes in his answers to questions asked by both Senators Aldo Salazar and Eamon Courtney concerning his association with Citizen Kim. On being questioned about Kim, Penner stated that ‘…his name was Won Hong Kim but better known to me and friends of his as Mr. Kim…’ but on further questions concerning who were Kim’s friends he refused to answer again. Here is part of the transcript concerning if Kim had ever come to Belize: Senator Eamon Courtenay - Member, Special Senate Select Committee “Did Mr. Kim ever come to Belize?”

Elvin Penner – Former Minister of Immigration and Nationality “I don’t know that…”

Senator Eamon Courtenay - Member, Special Senate Select Committee “You ever met Mr. Kim in Belize?”

Elvin Penner – Former Minister of Immigration and Nationality “No, I have not” After admitting that Wonhong Kim had never set foot in Belize, Mr. Penner suddenly refused to answer any other questions because he knew he had already incriminated himself. Previous immigration official who had testified had stated that there was a certain oriental gentleman present when Elvin Penner brought in the passport application for the said Mr. Wonhong Kim. The picture that appeared on the passport issued to him was not one that was taken at the Passport Office but is a copy of his Korean passport picture.

With all the evidence that is now being exposed, it will be hard for the Barrow Administration to try to quash this issue again. Although Mr. Penner has been taken to court and was not found guilty, the evidence presented was not as concrete as what we have now. Not only do we see that Penner is guilty, but the trail of deceit has reached all the way to the Office of the Prime Minister via the Cabinet Secretary. But even with this, I do not foresee any convictions coming out of these hearings.

The only person and to an extent, his family, that is now under the scrutiny of our law enforcement has been the elusive Barton Middleton. After giving his statements and answering some of the questions that were being asked, he then found himself being the target of a police raid. Although nothing was found, we can assume that he is still under the police radar for the time being.

Meanwhile the ringleaders and masterminds that orchestrated the corruption at the immigration department do sleep well at night without being subjected to pre-dawn raids by the police. The more things change, the more they remain the same here in Belize.

28 MAY

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Belize launches investigation into money laundering by Yanukovych, Manafort – Bloomberg Belize authorities have launched an investigation into money laundering by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and American political advisor Paul Manafort, according to Bloomberg.

23 May 2017 In the five-year period from 2007 to 2012, Manafort was paid at least $12.7 million, according to a handwritten Party of Regions ledger found later in its head office, Bloomberg reported.

Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau and the FBI are investigating whether the ledger reflected any illegal payments to Manafort and to others. Manafort's spokesman says that after being paid he had many expenses and so the payment figure does not represent profit. One payment to Manafort on the ledger matches an invoice

Doug Singh

Viktor Yanukovych

he signed in 2009 to sell $750,000 of computers to a Belize-registered company called Neocom Systems Ltd., according to documents obtained by Ukrainian MP Leshchenko from Manafort's Kyiv office.

Doug Singh, who runs International Corporate Services (ICS), which registered Neocom in 2007, says he's received multiple requests for records from Belize's Financial Intelligence Unit, which investigates money laundering. Belize authorities declined further comment. Evgeniy Kaseev, listed as a director of Neocom, couldn't be reached for comment. Manafort's spokesman disputed the authenticity of the invoice and said Manafort is unfamiliar with it. UNIAN memo. According to the investigation by The New York Times, former head of Trump campaign Manafort could receive $12.7 million from the "black ledgers" of the Party of Regions, at the times of his cooperation with Viktor Yanukovych.

Before joining Trump's election campaign, Manafort's most prominent client was ex-President of Ukraine Vitkor Yanukovych. Manafort played the role of political adviser and advisor, eventually helped the Party of Regions and Yanukovych win several election campaigns in Ukraine.

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee

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 18th day of April, 2006, between MAURICE E. GOMEZ AND LORRAINE ADELINE GOMEZ of Main Street, Burrell Boom Village, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 12 of 2006 at Folios 1475- 1504, 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.

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 30th day of September, 2014, between THE BELIZE BANK LIMITED (“the Assignor”), SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. (“the Assignee”) and MARIA JOHANA RODRIGUEZ of Savannah Road, Independence Village, 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 LTU-201401785, 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 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 comprising of 1 acre situate at Boom Pine Ridge, on the north side of Mussel Creek Road, Belize District, (Block No. 36) bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 73 of 1960 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 73 of 1960, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

ALL THAT freehold interest in all that lot, piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 400 comprising 640.165 Square Meters situate along Savannah Road, Independence Village, Stann Creek District and bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 449 of 2004 registered at the Lands and Surveys Department on Plan No 1887 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 18th day of May, 2017.

DATED this 23rd day of May, 2017.

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

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

18

28 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Desperate to End Senate Hearings Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Suddenly, without warning, the United Democratic Party has gotten very panicked regarding revelations coming out of the Senate Select Committee hearings.

On Wednesday, looking at least a little shame-faced, UDP Senator and Chair of the Committee Aldo Salazar suddenly announced that enough is enough. According to Salazar, “If you have a situation where somebody has admitted that there were attempts at bribing him or her, good, there is evidence before us that we know this was happening.

Does that mean that I have to go and find every instance where somebody was bribed and tried and get those persons to come in and ask them about that particular instance? No.That is not useful. We already know that this was happening. We already have evidence of it. So we can accept that this was something that we happening and we can move on."

That is a frankly incredible statement coming from the Chair of a Committee which was brought together to examine wrongdoing in the Immigration Department. That wrongdoing allegedly involved, to a major extent, sitting Minister of the UDP Government, and without calling even one of those Ministers to answer

FOR RENT: Two bedrooms apartments at #24 Dolphin St. opposite the Fire Station .

Fully tiled. 4 Downstairs and 4 Upstairs . Tenant pay their own utility bills. Two months rent to move in . Viewing: Anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Viewing on Saturday is 8:30 to 2:00 p.m. - Tel: 6158522

any questions, Salazar has determined that it is time to end this.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Faber, obviously received his instructions from the same person. When asked about the hearing, he too determined that it was time to bring them to a close, even though he claims that he didn’t see the newscast of Mr. Penner’s testimony on Wednesday before the UDP disrupted the sitting. Faber stated that there is no more use to the sitting, and told the media that “I think the senate inquiry has served its purpose.

I think all that could be useful from those hearings are now out and so we really should not carry it on to be a circus and this is the kind of thing that is now happening…we do want to see these hearings come to a close because we believe we've had our usefulness out of it as a country."

The only disruption to the sitting so far which could be classified as a political circus is what happened last Wednesday. All those involved, from the UDP Chairman Alberto August to Yellowman, take instructions from the Prime Minister. There were no PUP personalities in the gallery and none which engaged the UDP thugs at any time. With a single phone call the Prime Minister could instruct these hooligans to keep away from Senate Hearings and they could then proceed without problem.

But that call will never come from the Prime Minister.

What is happening currently is perhaps the most compelling indication that the UDP is afraid of what will come out if the hearings are allowed to continue. They are afraid of the questions of Senator Eamon Courtenay and others with the exclusion of the UDP appointed Senators and the Church senator who will never ask any question which would harm the UDP. The UDP is desperate to stop the hearings. Right-thinking Belizeans must now ask the question – why is that?

WHO IS THE PRIME MINISTER PROTECTING? WHAT IS THE UDP HIDING?

2017

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 30th day of July, 2008, between MIRIAM JUDITH CASTILLO of DFC Area, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 27 of 2008 at Folios 967- 1034, 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. 101 SITUATE in San Juan Village, Near Mile 34, Southern Highway, Stann Creek District and bounded as follows: On the Northeast for 27.697 Meters by 40 Feet Road; On the Southeast for 23.903 Meters by Lot No. 89; On the Southwest for 30.478 Meters by Lot No. 100; On the Northwest for 24.889 Meters by 30 Feet Road; and on the North for 4.017 Meters by a Daylight Cut; containing 785.569 Square Meters as shown on Entry No. 3058 Register No. 11 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys,TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 24th day of May, 2017.

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

28 MAY

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Celebration of Mother’s Day in Port Loyola Two activities were held in the Port Loyola Division over the weekend to Celebrate Mother’s Day. The first event was a Bake Sale on Saturday May 13th. This event was organized by the P.U.P. Port Loyola Women’s Group which is headed by Miss Aisha Gentle. Delicious pastries on sale were cakes, tarts, cupcakes, and jam rolls among other things.

The highlight of the Bake Sale was the raffle of a beautiful Mother’s Day cake. This special cake was won by Clementina Aguilar.

The Bake Sale was a tremendous success.

It has energized the group to plan other activities for the benefit of the division.

In the second event to celebrate Mother’s Day in Port Loyola, Gilroy Usher Sr. and the PUP Port Loyola Committee distributed three hundred gifts to mothers throughout the area. The mothers were all very appreciative of the show of thanks they received for raising their children and helping in the development of the country in countless ways.

Sincere thanks to all those who assisted in any way to make both events a success.

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 BRENDA LEE HENKIS 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 408.14 square yards being Parcel 1591, Block 7 in the San Pedro Registration Section situate on Flying Fish Drive, San Pablo Area, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of BRENDA LEE HENKIS. DATED this 17th day of May 2017 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

NOTICE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE A.D. 2017 (DIVORCE)

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 13th day of September 2005, between RUDOLF SPAIN of Georgeville Village, Cayo District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 28 of 2005 at Folios 1453- 1482, 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. 118 comprising of 1221.365 S.M. situate in Georgeville Village, Cayo District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 457 of 2005 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No.457 of 2005, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 16th day of May, 2017.

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

ACTION NO.: 67

BETWEEN

(ANCELLA RUTHANNIE BLANCO ( ( AND ( (CARLOS ALFREDO PALACIOS BLANCO

PETITIONER

RESPONDENT

TO: Carlos Alfredo Palacios Blanco

TAKE NOTICE that the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage dated 3rd day of March, 2017, endorsed with a Notice to you to appear and answer the charges therein has been filed in the Supreme Court of Belize, by ANCELLA RUTHANNIE BLANCO of Oriole Street, Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize, and that you are required within fourteen (14) days after the second publication herein, inclusive of the day of such publication, to enter an appearance either in person or by your Attorney at the Registry of the Supreme Court, should you think fit so to do and thereafter to make answer to the charges in the said Petition AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that in default of your so doing the Court will proceed to hear the said charges proved and pronounce judgement your absence notwithstanding.

This Petition is filed and this Notice to appear is issued by Oswald Twist of # 16 Bishop Street, Belize City, Belize, Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner, ANCELLA RUTHANNIE BLANCO. DATED this 1st day of May 2017 REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT Note: Any person entering an appearance must at the same time furnish an address for service within two miles of the Supreme Court.

20

ESPAÑOL

Jimmy Morales y el presidente de Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, reunidos en Casa Presidencial de ese país.

2828MAY MAY

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES JIMMY MORALES DISCUTE EN HONDURAS UNIÓN ADUANERA Y MIGRACIÓN El presidente Jimmy Morales, llegó a Honduras para reunirse con su homólogo Juan Orlando Hernández, con quien dialoga sobre la unión aduanera entre ambos países y el Plan Alianza para la Prosperidad del Triángulo Norte de Centroamérica, entre otros temas.

2017 2017

Por EFE / Tegucigalpa 23 de Mayo de 2017 Morales llegó a eso de las 9 horas a la Base Hernán Acosta Mejía de la Fuerza Aérea Hondureña en Tegucigalpa, donde fue recibido por autoridades de ese país de Relaciones Exteriores y de la Embajada de Guatemala.

Seguidamente Morales y su comitiva se trasladaron a la Casa Presidencial, donde fueron recibidos por Hernández.

El gobernante guatemalteco es acompañado por los ministros de Relaciones Exteriores, Carlos Raúl Morales; Gobernación, Francisco Rivas; Economía, Víctor Manuel Asturias, y Ambiente, Sydney Samuels.

Temas como la seguridad fronteriza, los avances de la unión aduanera, asuntos de medio ambiente y los

Donald Trump recortó los fondos para Latinoamérica en su propuesta de presupuesto.

DONALD TRUMP RECORTA AYUDA A LA REGIÓN EN PROPUESTA DE PRESUPUESTO La primera propuesta presupuestaria del presidente de EE. UU., Donald Trump, incluye un sustancial recorte a la ayuda a Latinoamérica, con reducciones a la asistencia proporcionada a todos los países del continente, un cambio que podría notarse especialmente en México y Centroamérica.

Por EFE / Washington 23 de Mayo de 2017 El presupuesto -que se presentó este martes, debe ser aprobado por el Congreso y podría sufrir cambios- concede US$37 mil 600 millones al Departamento de Estado, de los cuales US$1 mil 93 millones van a parar a las operaciones en el continente americano y el Caribe, un descenso de US$614 millones respecto al año fiscal 2016.

El desglose país por país de ese presupuesto contempla fuertes recortes en la ayuda a México (que recibiría US$87,7 millones) , Guatemala (US$80,7 millones) , Honduras (US$67,8 millones) , y El Salvador (US$46,3 millones) , cantidades a las que deben sumarse los fondos dedicados a programas de drogas, seguridad o democracia en el continente.

Congreso hace su recorte El presupuesto acordado a principios de mayo por el Congreso de Estados Unidos para lo que resta de año fiscal, y que se aprobará en los próximos días, incluye una dotación de US$655 millones para ayuda a Centroamérica y US$391 para Colombia.

Los US$655 millones destinados a Centroamérica suponen un recorte de US$95 millones respecto a las disposiciones del año Fiscal 2016, mientras que Colombia recibe hasta US$391 millones, un incremento de US$91 millones respecto al ejercicio anterior.

El monto asignado a Centroamérica está destinado a “continuar el apoyo a la Estrategia de Estados Unidos para el Compromiso con América Central” , centrada en abordar las causas de la migración de los indocumentados centroamericanos a EE.UU. Como en el año fiscal 2016, el 75 por ciento de los fondos está sujeto a condiciones relacionadas con la migración, los derechos humanos y la corrupción.

proyectos que se impulsan con el Plan Alianza para la Prosperidad del Triángulo Norte de Centroamérica, que también integra El Salvador, son parte de la agenda de los dos mandatarios.

Los ministros que acompañan a Morales tendrán reuniones con sus homólogos hondureños para tratar los temas que competen a sus carteras, según se informó en la víspera de la reunión presidencial.

Concluida su visita a Honduras, el presidente de Guatemala viajará desde Tegucigalpa a Ecuador para participar mañana en la investidura del nuevo mandatario de ese país sudamericano, Lenín Moreno.

Hernández también tiene previsto viajar a Ecuador, según indicó una fuente cercana a la Casa Presidencial.

El presidente venezolano, Nicolás Maduro, muestra las bases para la Constituyente

MADURO FIRMA LAS BASES PARA NACIONAL CONSTITUYENTE Pese a que las protestas cumplen más de 50 días y que los disturbios y muertes no han disminuidos, el presidente Maduro firmó bases para Constituyente.

Por EFE y AFP / Venezuela 23 de Mayo de 2017 El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, firmó este martes el decreto con la propuesta para elegir 540 representantes para redactar una nueva Constitución, un asunto que fue enviado al Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) para su revisión.

El mandatario reiteró que los corredactores de la nueva Carta Magna serán elegidos mediante “voto universal, directo y secreto” y en “ámbitos territoriales y sectoriales” .

Explicó que del total, 364 serán elegidos mediante comicios “territoriales” tradicionales: dos en cada municipio capital en los 23 estados y uno en cada uno de los 335 municipios del país, con excepción del municipio caraqueño Libertador, donde serán electos siete representantes.

Asimismo, los pueblos

indígenas escogerán ocho diputados que integrarán, junto a los 364 territoriales, la Asamblea Nacional Constituyente que será unicameral y se instalará en las 72 horas sucesivas a la proclamación de los vencedores.

Nicolás Maduro, presidente venezolano.

"Que sea el pueblo el que entregue el poder. Vamos a elecciones ya, Constituyente democrática, basta de odio, basta de fascismo, de bandas armadas, que saquean, que roban”.

Respecto de las elecciones del ámbito sectorial detalló que se dividirán en ocho grupos conformados por trabajadores, campesinos y pescadores, estudiantes, personas con discapacidad, pueblos indígenas, pensionistas, empresarios y comunas y consejos comunales.

Dijo que para estos comicios el CNE deberá

solicitar los registros a las instituciones oficiales y detalló que se elegirá un representante por cada 83 mil electores en este sentido.

Maduro remarcó que ningún elector podrá estar en más de un registro sectorial y que todas estas agrupaciones escogerán a sus constituyentes “en listas nacionales mediante el principio de representación mayoritaria”, salvo las comunas y consejos comunales donde la selección se hará “regionalmente”.

Indicó también que entre los requisitos para ser corredactor del nuevo marco jurídico están ser venezolano por nacimiento sin poseer otra nacionalidad, ser mayor de 18 años para la fecha de la elección, haber residido cinco años en el territorio al que aspiran representar y estar inscrito en el registro electoral.

Será en el Parlamento El presidente Nicolás Maduro propuso este martes que Cont’do pagina 21

28 MAY 28

2017

18 JAN

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES 2015

Enterovirus enferma a médicos del Hospital Roosevelt y suspenden cirugías programadas

Veintiún trabajadores del Hospital Roosevelt, entre ellos 14 médicos residentes anestesistas, fueron suspendidos de labores por padecer síntomas de una infección por un tipo de enterovirus y que obligó la suspensón de cirugías programadas desde el viernes pasado.

Fachada del hospital Roosevelt en un día normal de atención en todas las unidades.

Prensa Libre: Roni Pocón 22 de Mayo de 2017 Desde finales de la semana pasada las actividades en la sala de operaciones del centro asistencial fueron vieron afectadas cuando 14 médicos anestesistas presentaron con diarrea y vómitos, síntomas de un enterovirus.

Además de los médicos, otros ocho trabajadores del hospital habrían adquirido la infección, quienes también fueron suspendidos de sus labores y se analizan otros dos posibles casos, pero los indicios suponen que se trataa de la misma infección.

Medidas reactivas

Carlos Soto, director ejecutivo del hospital, informó que aún no se determina dónde pudo haber sido el contagio, debido a que el virus puede ser ifectado a través de la ingesta de alimentos. Se sospecha que los médicos pudieron haberse infectado en alguna actividad externa del hospital a la que asistieron.

MADURO FIRMA LAS BASES PARA NACIONAL CONSTITUYENTE Continued from page 30 la Asamblea Constituyente sesione en el Parlamento venezolano, único poder controlado por la oposición, al sentar las bases que activan su controvertido proyecto para reformar la Constitución.

“La Asamblea Nacional Constituyente tendrá como sede el Salón Elíptico del Palacio Federal Legislativo” , dominado por la oposición desde 2016, luego de ganar las elecciones legislativas de diciembre de 2015, dijo el mandatario en un acto con miles de sus seguidores frente al Palacio Presidencial de Miraflores.

La oposición ha denunciado que el gobierno se quiere garantizar el control de los asambleístas elegidos por estos sectores.

Johana Da Costa , lideresa estudiantil.

"El problema no es la Constitución, el problema es que se irrespeta la Constitución; el problema no es cambiar la regla de juego, el problema es que ustedes no están jugando un juego democrático”.

“Por las limitantes de postulación, el chavismo se quiere garan-

tizar, al menos, los 176 constituyentes sectoriales” , afirmó el analista Eugenio Martínez en Twitter.

“Resumen de bases comiciales: Una elección hecha a la medida, proceso diseñado para que el voto chavista valga (o escoja) más que el opositor” , añadió el experto en temas electorales.

Luego de que Maduro firmara las bases comiciales, sus seguidores lo entregarán ante el poder electoral.

Más disturbios Las fuerzas de seguridad del Estado venezolano dispersaron este martes con bombas lacrimógenas una manifestación que decenas de estudiantes, de distintas universidades de Caracas, protagonizaron en la autopista Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho (GMA), una arteria vial que conecta al oriente del país con la capital.

La protesta de jóvenes y estudiantes cerró la vía en protesta a la Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, convocada por el presidente Nicolás Maduro el pasado 1 de mayo, así como para pedir una solución a la crisis que atraviesa el país.

Miembros de la Guardia Nacional

Bolivariana dispersan a un grupo de manifestantes en Caracas. (Foto Prensa Libre: EFE) La manifestación fue disuelta tras un enfrentamiento con la Guardia Nacional Bolivariana (GNB), un componente de la Fuerza Armada responsable del orden público.

ESPAÑOL

21

Las autoridades del hospital confirmaron que desde el viernes último se tomó la decisión de suspender las cirugías que estaba programadas y se atendien únicamente las de emergencia. Además las autoridades del centro médico aseguraron que llegaron a un acuerdo con el Hospital General San Juan de Dios para referir algún caso de emergencia que no pudiera ser atendido.

Soto explicó que implementaron otras medidas para evitar la propagación del virus en el nosocomio. entre las acciones está la prohibición del ingreso de comida rápida, el lavado obligatorio de manos en todas las unidades y la creación de un equipo destinado a la vigilancia del brote y la evolución de los pacientes.

Contradicción Zagreb Zea, presidente de la junta directiva de médicos del hospital refirió: “A nosotros nos llegó información de que se habían cancelado las cirugías por esa causa e incluso que había 33 pacientes que estaban enfermos con enterocolitis”.

Agregó que solo tres quirófanos están habilitados para dar atención, de los ocho que funcionan en el centro asistencial porque “no hay suficientes anestesistas”. Por lo general practican unas 35 cirugías por día.

Autoridades del hospital aseguraron que no hay ningún caso de infección en pacientes y que los 21 casos confirmados son empleados.

“Esos brotes son muy fuertes, pero en 24 horas suelen mejorar sin necesidad de antibióticos”, explicó Carlos Soto, director del hospital, quien agregó que no se debe entrar en pánico “ni ser alarmistas”, para que la población no se vea afectada.

La consejera universitaria de la Universidad Metropolitana (Unimet) Johana Da Costa indicó a periodistas, desde la protesta, que continuarán con las manifestaciones “para poder salir finalmente de este Gobierno y tener un cambio real en el país” .

“El problema no es la Constitución, el problema es que se irrespeta la Constitución; el problema no es cambiar la regla de juego, el problema es que ustedes no están jugando un juego democrático”, dijo Da Costa en referencia a la Constituyente.

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28 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

BELIZE TIMES

SCIENCE & TECH R

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V

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More evidence for WannaCry 'link' to North Korean hackers A hacking group closely tied to North Korea was behind the massive WannaCry attack earlier this month, security company Symantec says.

May 23, 2017 - BBC World News The way the attack was set up made it "highly likely" that the Lazarus group was responsible, it said.

Lazarus has been blamed for a 2014 attack on Sony and the theft of $81m (ÂŁ62m) from Bangladesh's central bank.

In those attacks, the group is believed to have worked on behalf of North Korea's government.

In a blog, Symantec said "substantial commonalities in the tools, techniques, and infrastructure used by the attackers" led it to conclude that the Lazarus group had instigated the WannaCry attack.

However, Symantec added that the character of the attack suggested it had not been carried out on behalf of North Korea.

Rather than being a nation-state campaign, it said, it looked more like a "typical" cyber-crime campaign that sought to enrich its operators.

North Korea has denied any involvement with WannaCry, branding any claims it was behind it "ridiculous".

'Error prone' The virulent WannaCry worm is believed to have infected computers at more than 200,000 companies.

Victims included more than 60 NHS trusts in the UK as well as Fedex, Renault and Telefonica.

On compromised computers, the worm encrypted files and demanded a ransom of $300 (ÂŁ231) in bitcoins to unlock them.

Symantec pointed to small-scale attacks carried out prior to the massive May event that used the same basic malware but also employed other technical tricks Lazarus is known to use.

The earlier attacks did not exploit the vulnerability that helped WannaCry spread so far, so fast but instead used six other malicious programs favoured

by Lazarus.

Two of these are known to have been used in the Sony attack.

In addition, Symantec said, code inside WannaCry was shared with a separate program also linked to Lazarus.

Symantec's analysis builds on work by other researchers who have studied WannaCry and found evidence that some of its core code is shared

with other malicious programs Lazarus is believed to have used.

Despite Symantec's lengthy analysis, some experts remained cautious about blaming Lazarus.

"Attributing hacking operations and malware to specific groups is an imprecise undertaking that's frequently fraught with errors," wrote Dan Goodin, security editor at Ars Technica.

So far, 300 victims are believed to have paid to have their files unlocked, generating a total ransom payment of $109,245.

The money is being paid into three separate bitcoin wallets that are being closely scrutinised for activity to see if they can help identify the criminals.

Samsung S8 'eye security' fooled by photo Samsung's eye-scanning security technology, used on the new Galaxy S8 smartphone, has been fooled with a photograph and a contact lens.

May 23, 2017 BBC World News The iris-scanner can be used to unlock the phone simply by looking at it, which Samsung says provides "airtight security".

But researchers at Chaos Computer Club had easily tricked the device with a picture of an eye, Motherboard said.

Samsung told the BBC it was "aware of the issue".

The researchers first set up the phone's security

by registering a volunteer's eyes using the S8 iris scanner.

They then took a photograph of one of the volunteer's eyes, using a digital camera with an infra-red night vision setting.

After printing the image, the researchers placed a contact lens over the photograph.

The team posted a video showing the S8 smartphone unlocking itself when it saw the false eye.

Samsung said its iris-scanning technology had

been through "rigorous testing" to "prevent attempts to compromise its security".

"If there is a potential vulnerability or the advent of a new method that challenges our efforts to ensure security at any time, we will respond as quickly as possible to resolve the issue."

Security expert Ken Munro said the discovery was "another reminder that biometrics is not a silver bullet".

"Personally, I prefer fingerprints to iris unlock. Your fingers are already holding your phone, so why not use prints rather than wave your phone in front of your face?

"If you want to be really secure, choose fingerprints and a secret number. If you must have iris unlock, please walk everywhere with your eyes closed, so your iris can't be photographed."

Galaxy S8 owners have the option of using a password or secret number to unlock their phone, instead of using the iris scanner.

FEB 287 MAY

2016 2017

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

Philippines President Duterte declares martial law on Mindanao island

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao, where the army and insurgents have been fighting.

Trump's $4.1tr budget takes hatchet to safety net BBC News, May 23, 2017 The violence has left three members of the security forces dead and 12 others wounded, officials say.

The measure, which will last for 60 days, allows the use of the military to enforce law and the detention of people without charge for long periods.

Mindanao is home to a number of Muslim rebel groups seeking more autonomy.

The violence in Marawi, a city of about 200,000 people, erupted on Tuesday as the army searched for the leader of a militant group that had pledged allegiance to so-called Islamic State (IS), the military said.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana identified the militants as members of the Maute group. They had occupied a hospital and a jail, and burnt down buildings including a church, he added.

Mr Duterte issued the declaration while on a visit to Moscow. He would cut short his visit and return to the country, his spokesman said.

Mr Temer was elected as vice-president in 2014 and replaced Dilma Rousseff a year ago

Brazil president retreats from attempts to suspend investigation

The White House has unveiled a $4.1tr (£3.1tr) budget that would take the axe to the social safety net for the poor.

Soldiers are seen in Davao after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao

Gambian ex-President Yahya Jammeh 'stole $50m' from state The Gambia's former president stole "at least" $50m (£38.4m) from the state before he left the country in January, the justice minister has said.

BBC News, May 23, 2017 Yahya Jammeh is accused of withdrawing the money via a state telecoms company.

A court has ordered all his remaining assets in The Gambia to be frozen.

Mr Jammeh flew into Equatorial Guinea after 22 years in power. He lost an election in December and only agreed to step down after regional powers sent in troops threatening to force him out.

Luxury cars and other items were reportedly loaded on to a Chadian cargo plane as Mr Jammeh left the country.

The amount was initially suggested to be more than $11m (£8.8m) by Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty then an aide to new President Adam Barrow.

But on Monday, Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou said that Mr Jammeh had withdrawn $50m between 2006 and 2016.

The plan would sharply slash food stamps, healthcare for low-income patients and disability benefits, and eliminate student loan subsidies.

The budget also features an Ivanka Trump plan for paid parental leave.

The US military would receive a 10% boost while $1.6bn would be allocated for a wall on the border with Mexico.

President Trump, who is travelling overseas, missed the unveiling of his first full budget, titled A New Foundation for American Greatness.

Mick Mulvaney, the White House budget director, told reporters on Tuesday the proposal is "simply the president's priorities put on paper".

Is the president's budget law?

No. A US president's annual budget is a policy wish list that stands little chance of being enacted.

The Senate and House of Representatives will pass their own versions, which will then go to congressional committees before the final spending plan is cemented.

The Trump budget might have expected a sympathetic reading in the Republican-controlled Congress.

But even fiscally hawkish conservatives are baulking at some of the $3.6tr in cuts.

Brazil's President Michel Temer has asked the Supreme Court to proceed with an investigation against him for obstruction of justice and corruption.

BBC News, May 23, 2017 His lawyers say that a secret recording that appears to incriminate him has been edited 70 times.

On Saturday Mr Temer filed a petition at the Supreme Court to have the investigation suspended.

But his lawyers now say they want the investigation to go ahead to have the president's name cleared.

His legal team hired an audio expert, who concluded that the tape would not stand up as evidence in a court of law.

"We want this investigation to be concluded as soon as possible," said one of his lawyers, Gustavo Guedes.

"The only evidence against him, the recording, is useless," added Mr Guedes.

Hush money Contents of the tape were first released on Brazilian media on Wednesday, causing major political and economic turmoil.

President Temer was secretly recorded by Joesley Batista, president of Brazilian giant meat-packing firm JBS, during a latenight, unscheduled meeting.

The wealthy businessman made the recording as part of a plea bargain with the prosecutor's office.

On the tape, Mr Temer seems to signal his approval for illegal payments to the former speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, who was jailed for corruption last year.

According to Mr Batista, Cunha was being paid 1 million reais ($300,000; £235,000) a month in exchange for his silence regarding the involvement of other politicians, including Mr Temer, in Brazil's wide-ranging corruption scandal known as Operation Car Wash.

New Venezuela clashes after man set ablaze May 22, 2017 Doctors rallied in Venezuela in the latest street protests against President Nicolas Maduro as the death toll climbed to 49 with the deepening unrest entering its eighth week.

New clashes broke out between protesters and police on the outskirts of Caracas, where demonstrators blocked streets with barricades.

After marches by various civil groups, it was the turn of the Venezuelan Medical Federation to vent its

Health professionals hit the streets to denounce Maduro government as protesters torch Hugo Chavez' childhood home.

frustrations on the streets.

More than a thousand of its sympathisers marched towards the health ministry in Caracas. Police fired tear gas to drive them back in scenes familiar after weeks of turmoil.

"The country is verging on catastrophe. The health system is a disaster," said Fernando Gudayol, a 50-year-old surgeon. "One is always afraid to come out, but we will carry on doing it until there is a change."

The opposition is demanding

elections to remove Maduro from power. They blame him for an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies.

"A simple infection can turn into something serious for a lack of antibiotics and any kind of supplies, and for a lack of maintenance of the equipment," said Eliecer Melear, a 41-year-old urologist.

Maduro's supporters staged a counter-demonstration near the presidential palace.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

28 MAY

2017